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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 369

Pair: Commanding Boatman W. Osborne, Coastguard, late Able Seaman, Royal Navy

Egypt and Sudan 1882-1889, no clasp, dated reverse (W. Osborne. A.B. H.M.S. "Malabar"); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (W. Osborne, A.B. H.M.S. Boadicea.), pitting to first, minor contact wear otherwise, overall very fine (2)

Walter Osborne was born at Woolwich, Kent on 28 May 1859 and enlisted with St. Vincent on 10 September 1874 as Boy Class II. Coming of age with Endymion on 28 May 1877 he was advanced Able Seaman with Terror in September the next year. It was in this rank that he joined Malabar one of the Euphrates-class troopships tasked with ferrying men to and from India. She was also involved in supporting British forces during the Anglo-Egyptian War later in 1882.

Promoted Coxwain in Command of the launch of Boscawen in 1887 Osborne was demoted back to Able Seaman two years later. It was in that rank that he joined Boadicea in September 1889 in time for the Witu expedition. The British Fleet reached Witu in late October 1890, landing a Naval Brigade of 900 men including over 300 from Boadicea. This force stormed Witu on 27 October 1890 sacking the town, although they failed to take their enemy Sultan Fumo Bakari in the attack.

Joining the Coastguard at Newhaven, Wales on 7 June 1892 as Boatman, later being advanced Commanding Boatman at Portobello on 15 March 1899. Discharged on 4 November 1902 and was discharged due to age on 27 May 1909; sold together with copied service papers and a census paper.

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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£180