Part 145

=OLDHAM, JOHN HASLOPE=, 2nd Lieut., 3rd Battn. Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., attd. 2nd Battn. King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., only _s._ of Ernest Haslope Oldham, of Oakfield, Chudleigh, co. Devon, by his wife, Alice, dau. of Charles Baker, of Portland Square, Bristol; _b._ Southgate, co. Middlesex, 7 Jan. 1891; educ. Blatchington Place, Sussex, Lancing College, and Hertford College, Oxford (graduated B.A. July, 1913), and on leaving there became junior master at Summer Fields, St. Leonards-on-Sea, in Sept. 1913; obtained a commission as 2nd Lieut. in the Reserve of Officers, 16 July, 1913; volunteered on the outbreak of war, and gazetted to the 3rd Duke of Cornwall’s L.I., 11 Aug. 1914; went to France, 4 Jan. 1915, where he was attd. to the 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire L.I., and was killed in action during the Battle for Hill 60, near Ypres, 18 April, 1915; _unm._ Buried near where he fell. His Col. wrote: “He behaved in a most gallant manner and will be a great loss to my battn.”; and his Capt. “He was most capable and keen on his work and had done most awfully well all the time he had been out there. He was absolutely fearless, and he fell in the attack on Hill 60 gallantly leading his men forward. He was hit by a bullet early in the charge, but ignoring his wound he went on to the top of the hill. He had just jumped up on the parapet and started to run over the crest of the hill, when he was shot and killed instantly.” An In Memoriam, from the Summer Fields Magazine, stated: “It came as a great shock to us all to read of the death of Lieut. J. H. Oldham who fell at the head of his men on Hill 60. Mr. Oldham, who was educated at Lancing College, and Hertford College, Oxford, came to us as a master in Sept. 1913, and during his 12 months’ stay endeared himself to everybody by his unaffected kindliness, his energy and unselfishness. He was always ready to help the youngest boys, constantly improvising new indoor games for their benefit, and just as keen as he could be on the outdoor games, and the work of the school. We little thought when we said good-bye to him at the end of last Summer Term that we should see him no more, but it was like him to be among the very first to volunteer for active service, without hesitation as without fuss. He was sent to the Front in Jan. and died fighting gallantly early in April. Only a few days before his death he had sent cheery messages to the boys, with snapshots taken in the trenches and numerous inquiries and good wishes for their welfare. His noble example and good influence here will long be remembered.”

=OLDHAM, LESLIE WILLIAM SEARLES=, Major, R.E., only _s._ of the late Brigade Surgeon Charles Frederick Oldham, by his wife, Harriet Bertha (The Lodge, Bealings, Suffolk), dau. of Thomas Bailey, of Gloucester; _b._ London, 3 Feb. 1870; educ. Cheltenham College, and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich; gazetted 2nd Lieut. R.E. 27 July, 1889; promoted Lieut. 27 July, 1892; Capt. 5 May, 1900 and Major, 27 July, 1909; was in command of the R.E. with the Chitral Relief Force from Gilgit, 1895; was present at the actions at Chakalwat and Nisa Gol and was mentioned in Despatches. In 1899 he joined the Indian Public Works Department and did excellent work especially in connection with water supplies. After the outbreak of war he was recalled; was put in command of the 63rd Field Coy. and went to France in May, and was killed in action on the afternoon of 28 July, 1915, being shot by a sniper while inspecting work in the “Orchard” trench, near Festubert. He was a good all-round sportsman, particularly keen on polo and big game shooting, having done a good deal of the latter on the Pamirs and in the Central Provinces of India. He _m._ at Jubbulpore, Central Provinces, India, 27 Aug. 1900, Caroline Mary Burton, sister of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and dau. of the late Charles Altamont Doyle, of Edinburgh, and had a dau., Claire Annette, _b._ Nagpur, India, 5 Sept. 1906.

=OLDMAN, WILLIAM=, Seaman, R.N.R., 2354B., H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=OLDREWE, PERCIVAL=, L.-Sergt., No. 8684, 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards; _b._ co. Devon; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; killed in action, 13 Nov. 1914; _unm._

=OLDREY, ROBERT JOHN BLATCHFORD=, Capt., 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, eldest _s._ of the late Robert Blatchford Oldrey, of Harpole Hall, co. Northants, by his wife, Hannah Jane Powell, of The Laws House, Turvey, co. Beds., dau. of the late Richard John James; _b._ Northampton, 18 June, 1883; educ. Uppingham; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 4th Dragoon Guards from the Militia, 26 March, 1902; promoted Lieut. 27 Feb. 1905, and Capt. 21 Jan. 1911; was Adjutant from Jan. to 27 Oct. 1914; served in India, and with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, from 15 Aug. 1914; took part in the retreat from Mons, and the severe fighting during Sept, and Oct. and was killed in action while in command of a squadron at Richebourg, Neuve Chapelle, 29 Oct. 1914; _unm._ He was a keen polo player, and represented his regt. in the Inter-Regimental tournaments; and as a horseman had made his name famous in cavalry circles, being chosen to represent England in the jumping at Olympia, before King Edward and Queen Alexandra, at the 1st Olympian shows. He was also a prominent figure in the hunting world, being an ardent follower of the Oakley and Beaufort Hunt and a winner of many point-to-point races.

=OLIVE, JOHN=, Gunner, R.M.A., 7618, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=OLIVER, ERNEST JAMES=, Chief Stoker (R.F.R., A. 1936), 154787, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=OLIVER, PERCY FREDERICK=, Armourer’s Crew, M. 7341, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=OLLEY, MATT=, Private, R.M.L.I., Ch./13391, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=OLLIFF, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 51370, 16th Battn. (Canadian Scottish) Canadian Expeditionary Force, elder _s._ of William Olliff, of 13, Grainger Street West, Newcastle-on-Tyne, Motor and Cycle Agent; _b._ Newcastle-on-Tyne, 29 March, 1888; educ. Royal Grammar School there; served his apprenticeship with Messrs. C. A. Parsons & Co., Ltd., Heaton Works, Newcastle-on-Tyne; went to sea as an Engineer and took a 2nd Engineer’s certificate, afterwards going to British Columbia in Feb. 1913; worked for a time at the Esquimault Dockyard, leaving there to enter the motor trade in Victoria; volunteered on the outbreak of war, and joined the Victoria Rifles; came over in Feb. 1915, being one of a hundred picked men for the P.P.L.I., but was drafted to the 16th Canadian Scottish (Gordon Highlanders), and after only a fortnight in England, went with his regt. for the Front; came unhurt through the heavy fighting at Ypres 22–25 April, and was killed by a high explosive shell while resting by the roadside, on the night of 26–27 April, 1915; _unm._ Private Olliff was offered a commission, but as this entailed a return to Canada, refused it.

=O’MALLEY, EDWARD=, Stoker, R.N.R., 728V, H.M.S. Aboukir; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=O’NEILL, SAMUEL=, Lieut., 6th Battn. Lancashire Fusiliers (T.F.), 2nd _s._ of Adolf George O’Neill, of Marland Grange, near Rochdale, co. Lancaster, J.P., Manufacturer, by his wife, Sarah Elizabeth, dau. of Thomas Holt, J.P.; _b._ Castleton, near Manchester, 11 June, 1894; educ. Parkgate (Mostyn House School) and Shrewsbury, and on leaving there entered the business of Messrs. Samuel O’Neill & Sons, Paper Tube Manufacturers, of Castleton; was given a commission as 2nd Lieut, in the Territorial Battn. of the Lancashire Fusiliers in Nov. 1911, promoted Lieut. 6 Jan. 1914; volunteered for Imperial service on the outbreak of war; went to the Dardanelles from Egypt, and was killed in action there, 10 June. 1915; _unm._ He was congratulated by Major-Gen. W. Douglas, Commanding 42nd East Lancashire Division, on an action performed 4–5 June, 1915.

=ONSLOW, BRIAN WALTON=, Lieut., 11th (King’s Edward’s Own) Lancers (Probyn’s Horse), Indian Army, and A.D.C. to Gen. Sir William Birdwood, yst. _s._ of the late Col. Gerald Charles Penrice Onslow, Royal Engineers, by his wife, Flora Frances Mary (Camperdown, Crowborough, co. Sussex), dau. of the late William Donald, of Lisle House, Cheltenham; _b._ Gillingham, co. Kent, 24 Aug. 1892; educ. Cheltenham College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut., Unattached List, 6 Sept. 1911; served his first year with the Royal West Kent Regt., passed into the Indian Army, 3 Dec. 1912. and was promoted Lieut. 6 Dec, 1913; took part in the landing at the Dardanelles, 25 April, 1915, and was killed in action there, 28 July, 1915; _unm._ Buried at Anzac Cove. He was mentioned in Gen. Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch of 22 Sept. [London Gazette, 5 Nov. 1915]. Gen. Sir William Birdwood wrote: “A finer fellow or better example of the true English gentleman never lived. A son of whom any mother must always have been most justly proud. Never out of temper, always doing what he could to help others, able far above the average. I had hoped a brilliant career was in store for him. Every individual here regrets and feels his death. I have lost the best and bravest of officers, the truest and trustiest of friends”; and a brother officer: “Few people could be so ill-spared. I never met or hope to meet a more lovable character; best at everything he ever did, both in work and play, and always so cheerful. I never heard anyone say anything but good of him, and he was quite the most popular officer both with the men and in the mess.” Admiral ........ wrote from the Dardanelles: “He was a splendid young fellow. We on board only knew him for a few months, but in that short time he made himself very popular with us all. Everybody liked him and admired him, and we looked on him as the true ideal of a British soldier. I fully realise what a great loss his services must be to Gen. Birdwood and to the service generally.” And the Principal of Cheltenham College: “He has left an influence and power behind him that many an older man would be proud to leave.” While at Cheltenham he won a mathematical scholarship, and was one of the most prominent members of the hockey eleven and football fifteen. He was a keen athlete, a good polo player, pigsticker, golfer, etc. Two of his brothers and two brothers-in-law are (1916) serving either in the Army or Navy. His eldest brother, Lieut.-Commander A. G. Onslow, D.S.C., was killed in action in the Battle of Jutland, 1 June, 1916.

=OPIE, ARTHUR GEORGE=, Petty Officer, 204207, H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=OPIE, WILLIAM EDWIN=, Cook’s Mate, M. 4659. H.M.S. Good Hope; lost in action off Coronel, on the coast of Chili, 1 Nov. 1914.

=ORFORD, CHARLES THOMAS=, Private, No. 14240. 1st Battn. Coldstream Guards, _s._ of the late Henry Orford, Platelayer, by his wife, Sarah, dau. of Thomas Booker; _b._ Bromsgrove, co. Worcester, 24 Feb. 1882; educ. Stourbridge Road Board School there; worked at the Midland Carriage Works, Bromsgrove; joined the 8th Worcestershire Territorials, 3 April, 1912; was called up on mobilization, 5 Aug. 1914; trained with them until 18 Dec. 1914, when he was discharged as medically unfit for further service, but joined the Coldstream Guards the next day; went to France in Aug. 1915, and died at No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station, 18 Oct. following, of wounds received in action. He _m._ at St. John’s Church, Bromsgrove, 1905, Louisa (17, Homes Cottages, Station Street, Bromsgrove), dau. of Samuel Perrys, and had five children: Henry George, _b._ 11 Sept. 1905; Charles William and Edna May (twins), _b._ 12 Sept. 1913; Annie Maud, _b._ 1 Dec. 1907; and Phylis Mary, _b._ 4 Feb. 1911.

=ORLEBAR, ROBERT EVELYN=, Lieut., 2nd Battn. The Duke of Cambridge’s Own Middlesex Regt., only child of Lieut.-Col. Evelyn Henry Orlebar, of Rutt House, Ivybridge, South Devon, Royal Marine L.I., Plymouth Division, by his wife, Mary Louisa, dau. of William Morris, of Manchester [Cadet of Orlebar, of Hinwick, co. Bedford]; _b._ Walmer, co. Kent, 16 June, 1894; educ. Plymouth and Mannamead School, Cheltenham College, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. 2nd Middlesex Regt. 17 Sept. 1913, and promoted Lieut. 15 Nov. 1914; joined his regt. at Malta in Jan. 1914; went to France, 4 Nov. 1914, and was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle, 9 Jan. 1915, while on duty in the trenches; _unm._ He was buried in an orchard behind the battn.’s headquarters. Letters from his officers all testify to his courage and sterling qualities. He was good at all school games, hunted with the Dartmoor Fox Hounds, and had his first polo season at Malta.

=ORR, ROBERT WATSON=, 2nd Lieut., 1/18th (London Irish Rifles) Battn. The London Regt. (T.F.), 6th _s._ of John Orr, of 24, Belmont Gardens, Glasgow, by his wife, Catherine, dau. of Abreauden Ross, Railway Contractor; _b._ Glasgow, 19 Dec. 1878; educ. at the Academy there. He commenced his business career in Glasgow in the office of the United Kingdom Provident Institution, and remained with them until he joined the Scottish Life Assurance Co. as Assistant Secretary in London in 1908, and was still in the latter company’s employ when he joined the O.T.C. at the Inns of Court. He was training at Berkhampstead for four months, when he obtained his commission, 5 March, 1915. He joined his regt. at St. Albans, and proceeded with it to France nine days later, served in France and Flanders, and was killed in action in the advance at Loos, 25 Sept. 1915. He was buried at North Maroc, near Grenay. A good many years ago 2nd Lieut. Orr won a high reputation as a golfer. He was one of the foremost players in the Prestwick St. Nicholas Club, and gained many individual successes; but he will be remembered even more for his resourcefulness in the foursome form of the game. A neat and stylish golfer, he possessed temperamental qualities which made him an ideal partner in double harness. In 1908 he had the distinction of winning with his partner for the New Alban Club (Edinburgh) the “Evening Times” foursome tournament; and, in the same year, he was one of the quartette of players who enabled the New Alban Club to carry off also the “Evening Dispatch” trophy. When he went to London he joined the Northwood Club, and, in partnership with another member, succeeded in winning the London Amateur Foursomes in 1912. Though he never gained the highest honours in the Amateur Championship, 2nd Lieut. Orr was among the last eight in 1906; he also qualified three times--in fact, each time he entered--for the Open Championship. Brig.-Gen. Thwaites wrote to his wife: “He died in the full performance of his duty, superintending the establishment of communications for his battn. He came to his death ... as a brave soldier and gallant English gentleman should do.” He _m._ at Belhaven Church, Glasgow, 3 April, 1909, Annie Margaret (8, Springfield Road, St. John’s Wood, N.W.), dau. of the late James Crichton, of Edinburgh, J.P.; _s.p._

=ORR, WILLIAM=, Private, No. 7938, 2nd Battn. Highland L.I., _s._ of William Orr, of 19, Carlisle Road, Londonderry; served with the Expeditionary Force in France, etc.; died 16 May, 1915, of wounds received in action at Richebourg.

=ORROW, ALBERT WILLIAM=, A.B., J. 6317, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=ORSLER, GEORGE HENRY=, Private, No. 9144, 1st Battn. Scots Guards, _s._ of John Orsler, of Bridge Street, Framlingham, co. Suffolk; _b._ Framlingham; enlisted 14 Oct. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders; killed in action, 1 Jan. 1915.

=ORTON, JAMES=, Private, No. 7602, 3rd Battn. Coldstream Guards, eldest _s._ of James Orton, of 3, Victoria Street, Hinckley, by his wife, Maria, dau. of Samuel Spare; _b._ Hinckley, co. Leicester, 31 July, 1887; educ. Hinckley Church School; enlisted 11 Jan. 1908; went to France, August, 1914. and was killed instantly in action near Vermelles, Belgium, 24 Oct. 1915; _unm._ Sergt. Maddison wrote “he had always done his duty well, and was performing a dangerous task when he was shot.” His brother was killed in action, 20 Dec. 1915.

=ORTON, JOHN THOMAS=, Private. No. 12933, B Coy., 8th (Service) Battn. Leicestershire Regt., 3rd _s._ of James Orton, of 3, Victoria Street, Hinckley, by his wife. Maria, dau. of Samuel Spare; educ. Hinckley Council School; was a Shoe Hand; volunteered after the outbreak of war, and joined the 8th Leicesters, 3 Sept. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from 28 July to 20 Dec. 1915, on which day he was killed in action, two months after his elder brother; _unm._ His company officer, Capt. H. L. Beardsley, wrote: “It is with much regret, and the deep sympathy of myself and the other officers of my company, that I have to convey the sad news of the death of your boy, who was killed by a sniper on the 20th inst. whilst carrying out his duties; he was shot through the heart and died almost immediately. A thorough, conscientious, hard-working lad, he will be sadly missed by us all.”

=OSBEN, GEORGE THOMAS=, Private. R.M.L.I. (R.F.R.), Ch. 11918, H.M.S. Hawke; lost when that ship was torpedoed in the North Sea, 15 Oct. 1914; _m._

=OSBORNE, ALBERT VINCENT=, Private, No. 1837, 5th (Cinque Ports) Battn. Royal Sussex Regt. (T.F.), eldest _s._ of Albert Osborne, of Water Mill, Guestling, by his wife, Kate, dau. of William Dennett; _b._ Guestling, co. Sussex, 23 Nov. 1893; educ. there; was a Milkman; joined the Sussex Territorials, 26 Feb. 1914; volunteered for foreign service on the outbreak of war in Aug. 1914; was sent to Dover, and then to the Tower; went to France, 18 Feb. 1915, and, after being in the trenches, was resting at a farm on 16 May, when a shell burst, killing and wounding many. Osborne was sent to the 2nd General Hospital at Manchester, where he died, 24 May, 1915; _unm._

=OSBORNE, BRIAN=, Capt., 15th (The King’s) Hussars, yr. _s._ of the late Capt. Frank Osborn, of Harbury Hall, near Leamington, 13th Hussars, by his wife, Helen, dau. of Thomas Lever Rushton; _b._ Sydney, N.S.W., 18 Nov. 1888; educ. Harrow, and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; gazetted 2nd Lieut. in the 15th Hussars, 8 Feb. 1908, and promoted Lieut. 22 Jan. 1909, and Capt. 15 Nov. 1914; went to France, 23 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action, 11 Nov. 1914, during the assault on the trenches near Herenthaze Château by the Prussian Guard. He had been sent with his machine gun to support the Duke of Wellington’s Regt. He was at first reported missing, and it was not until the following March that confirmation of his death was received in a letter from one of his machine gun section, a prisoner of war in Germany; _unm._ At Harrow he was successful in both cricket and football, and was first string at racquets; at Sandhurst he won the sword of honour; and in 1908, after joining the 15th Hussars, he attained a great record of first-spears in pig-sticking when quartered at Muttra. As a polo player he came to the front with amazing rapidity, playing for his regimental team and winning the South African Inter-Regimental Tournament in 1911, and repeating the event against more powerful opponents in the English Inter-Regimental Tournament at Hurlingham in 1913. As a member of the Cavalry School team and the Cavalry Club team he lent his aid successfully, and was invited by Lord Ashby St. Ledger, now Lord Wimborne, to practise in the international team of 1914, as choice for the American Expedition. He was a fine rider to hounds, and well known in the Warwickshire country.

=OSBORNE, FRED=, A.B. (R.F.R., Ch. B. 9092), 198537, H.M.S. Cressy; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.

=OSBORNE, FREDERICK=, Private, No. 1597, 1/6th (Cyclist) Battn. Suffolk Regt.(T.F.), 2nd _s._ of William Osborne, of 33, Salisbury Road, South Lowestoft, one of the staff of Lowestoft Central Station, by his wife, Mary Ann. dau. of (--) Hill, of London; _b._ Lowestoft, 19 April, 1892; educ. there; was a Waiter at the Imperial Hotel, Lowestoft; volunteered and joined the Cyclist Battn. of the Suffolk Regt. in Oct. 1914, and died in the Isolation Hospital, Lowestoft, 2 Feb. 1915, of disease contracted while on active service; _unm._

=OSBORNE, JOHN ALFRED VICTOR=, Private, No. 3204, 2/1st Battn. (Royal Fusiliers) The London Regt. (T.F.), only _s._ of George Christopher Osborne, ex-Sergt. Criminal Investigation Department, New Scotland Yard, by his wife, Louisa Helen, dau. of George Peall, of Chertsey, Surrey; _b._ Marylebone, London, 17 June, 1897; educ. Barnsbury Park High Grade School; volunteered after the outbreak of war and joined the Royal Fusiliers, 12 Nov. 1914; trained at Tonbridge; went to Malta, 1 Feb. 1915, where the regt. performed garrison duty until 9 Sept., when they were sent to Egypt, and thence to the Dardanelles on the 19th, where he died, 27 Sept. 1915, of wounds received in action; _unm._ A comrade wrote; “I was out with your son on the night he was killed, but was not very near to him, so I did not see the last of him. He was shot in the muscle of the arm by an explosive bullet, and got wounded very severely, dying on admission to the hospital. He was buried by some of his fellow mates, and a cross erected over his grave with suitable wording. If ever a man died doing his duty for his King and Country, your son did, and it was a marvel to me how the remainder of us out that night did not get killed.... Our platoon have been very unlucky, and out of Jack’s section there are only about three of us left.”

=OSBORNE, JOHN HENRY=, Leading Stoker (Coastguard), 308083, H.M.S. Hogue; lost in action in the North Sea, 22 Sept. 1914.