CHARLES OSMOND

AN OLD SOLDIER’S DEATH.

          A member of the Winchcombe Lodge of the R.A.O.B. for 34 years, and a retired Quarter Master Sergeant in the Royal Berkshire Regiment, Mr. Charles Osmond, of 27 Victoria-street, died on Saturday morning at the age of 67. Mr. Osmond enlisted in 1880 and retired in 1907, and it was a pathetic coincidence that he passed away just prior to his old regiment’s visit to the town.

          On Friday evening he asked that his medals should be placed on his bed, saying “Now I am going to meet my battalion.”

          The funeral, which took place on Tuesday at the Newtown-road Cemetery, was of an impressive character. The hearse was preceded through the streets of the town by men of the Royal Berks from Reading, who carried their rifles reversed, and a number of Buffaloes, whilst the British Legion standard, decorated with black ribbon, was also carried in the procession. The service was conducted by Canon A.H.C. Fargus, of Thatcham, chaplain to the R.A.O.B., and the usual Buffalo ritual was observed. The coffin, which was draped in the Union Jack, was borne to the grave by six sergeants wearing their sashes, and a salute was fired over the grave. Two buglers sounded the Last Post. There was a large attendance, including Capt. A.V. Bradshaw, representing the Officers of the Regiment and the Newbury branch of the British Legion.

          The mourners were: the widow, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. New (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mrs Butler and Mrs. Stevens.

          Wreaths were sent by the widow,;Rosemary; Bill, Alice and family; nephews and nieces; Frank and Emily; Edie and Frank and family; Rose; Royal Berks. Regiment; Charles 1^stLodge, R.A.O.B.; Winchcombe Lodge; G.L.E.  R.A.O.B.; neighbours (two wreaths); Mrs Butler; Mrs. Gough; Newbury Brewery.

Newbury Weekly News 11 July 1929

Buried 9 July 1929 Bk 1917  p. 138   No. 10697