"Gerald Augustus Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Seaman" in the "Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve" aboard the "H.M.S. Clan McNaughton" who died on 3 February 1915 at the age of 26 years old (born about 1889) in World War I, that he is listed in the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial, Newfoundland, in Somme, France, and that he was the "Husband of Mary Osmond, of 121, Duckworth St., St. John's", Newfoundland, Canada.
Historical Information about the H.M.S. Clan McNaughton:
http://www.gwpda.org/naval/rnamc.htm:
"Clan McNaughton ( Clan ) - foundered 3 February 1915 off Northern Ireland."Historical Information about the H.M.S. Clan McNaughton:
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GREATWAR/2003-08/1061726110:
Posted online by Ken Wilson-Wheeler of West Sussex, England, on 24 August 2003:
"I have long been fascinated by this ship and her loss. I have read and re-read every scrap [of] information I can find on her. She was a pre-war merchant ship, which was requisitioned in November 1914 when she returned to her home port of Tilbury. She was then hastily converted into something she was never intended to be - a warship, which would have included mounting guns up on deck - well above her normal centre of gravity. A hotch potch crew was then cobbled together for her: Career RN officers, although her engineer officers had all been Merchant Navy, some career RN Ratings, but many of the rest of her crew were reservists including some men from Newfoundland, one or two RN pensioners, plus no less than 50 boys straight out of the training shore base at Shotley, H.M.S. Ganges. All in all, a motley bunch who would have been completely unfamiliar with the ship and how she sailed. She sailed for patrol duties in the North Atlantic a few days before Christmas 1914, but had to put into Liverpool on the way, seemingly for some problem to be sorted but I have never been able to find out what it was. She returned to Liverpool certainly once, perhaps twice before her loss in February 1915. She was in radio contact at about 6 a.m. on the morning of 3 February 1915 and reported terrible weather conditions. Nothing further was ever heard of her. Some floating wreckage was found about fortnight later in the approximate area of her last known position but it could not be identified as having come from her. The truth is that no one knows for certain what did happen to her. The mine theory was put forward as a possible cause of the loss. But, if you think about it, surely the odds must be seriously stacked against a ship encountering a drifting mine out in the Atlantic Ocean? Personally speaking, I believe that the real cause of her loss was a combination of three factors: An Atlantic gale, she had been converted into something she had never been designed to be with those guns quite possibly making her top heavy in such weather, and real mixture of a crew, who had only limited experience of the ship and how she sailed."
"H. Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Private" in the "Royal Marine Light Infantry" aboard the "H.M.S. Albion" who died on 26 October 1914 at the age of 39 years old (born about 1875) in World War I, that he is listed in the Mindelo Municipal Cemetery in Sao Vicente, Cape Verde, and that he was the "Son of Alfred and Julia Osmond, of Stourton Caundle, Stalbridge, Dorset", England.
Historical Information about the H.M.S. Albion:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Albion_(1898):
HMS Albion was a British Canopus-class predreadnought battleship. Commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1901, she served on the China Station until 1905. She was then employed as part of the Channel Fleet until 1907, at which time she began service with the Atlantic Fleet. Following the outbreak of World War I, she saw action in operations against German Southwest Africa in 1914 and also served in the Dardanelles campaign against the Turks, supporting the landings at Gallipoli. She remained in the Mediterranean until 1916, and then returned to the United Kingdom for service as a guard ship for the remainder of the war. She was scrapped in 1920.
When World War I broke out in August 1914, Albion was assigned to the 8th Battle Squadron Channel Fleet. On 15 August 1914, she became second flagship of the new 7th Battle Squadron. On 21 August 1914, she was sent to the Saint Vincent Station to provide battleship support to cruiser squadrons operating in the Atlantic in case German Navy heavy ships broke out into the open Atlantic. On 3 September 1914, she transferred her flag, becoming a private ship, and moved to the Cape Verde - Canary Islands station on to relieve her sister ship Canopus there. Albion was transferred to the Cape of Good Hope Station in South Africa in October 1914, where she took up duty as a guard ship at Walfisch Bay through November 1914. In December 1914 and January 1915, she participated in Allied operations against German Southwest Africa Dardanelles campaign.
The birth of "Harry Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in April-June 1886 in Tiverton district, Devon, England.
"H. Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Private" in the "Devonshire Regiment" who died on 3 October 1915 at the age of 29 years old (born about 1886) in World War I, that he is listed in the Woburn Abbey Cemetery, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais, France, and that he was the "Son of Mr. W. H. and Mrs. B. Osmond, of Tiverton; husband of Lucy E. Osmond, of 8, Chapel St., Tiverton", Devon, England.
The birth of "Lucy Ellen Tout" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that her birth was registered in October-December 1875 in Newton Abbot district, Devon, England.
The death of William Osmond is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his death was registered in October-December 1927 in Salisbury district, Wiltshire, England, and that he died at the age of 61 (born about 1866).
In the 1891 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 24 years old (born about 1867), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, married and working as a "Pastrycook and Confectioner", and residing with his wife, Mary, in Chelsea, London, England.
In the 1901 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 34 years old (born about 1867), born in Southampton, Hampshire, married and working as a "Baker and Pastry Cook", and residing with his second wife, Edith E., and his two oldest sons by his first wife, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 44 years old (born about 1867), born in Southampton, Hampshire, married and working as a "Pastrycook haterer", and residing with his second wife of 10 years (married about 1901), Edith Eliza, and his three children by his first wife, and their one child, Edith Irene A. Osmond (age 7), at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1891 Census, Mary (Osmond) is listed as being 25 years old (born about 1866), born in Southampton, Hampshire, married and residing with her husband, William Osmond, in Chelsea, London, England.
The death of "Mary Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that her death was registered in October-December 1897 in Salisbury district, Wiltshire, England.
The birth of Frederick William G. Osmond is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in July-September 1893 in Alderbury district, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1901 Census, Frederick Osmond is listed as being 7 years old (born about 1894), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing with his father, William Osmond, and his step-mother, Edith E., and his younger brother, Charles, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, Frederick W. G. Osmond is listed as being 17 years old (born about 1894), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing with his father, William Osmond, and step-mother, Edith Eliza, and two siblings, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
The birth of Charles Ernest W. Osmond is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in October-December 1894 in Alderbury district, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1901 Census, Charles Osmond is listed as being 6 years old (born about 1895), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing with his father, William Osmond, and his step-mother, Edith E., and his older brother, Frederick, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, Charles E. W. Osmond is listed as being 16 years old (born about 1895), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing with his father, William Osmond, and step-mother, Edith Eliza, and two siblings, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
The birth of "H. Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in October-December 1897 in Salisbury district, Wiltshire, England.
"H. Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Private" in the "Wiltshire Regiment" who died on 28 September 1917 at the age of 19 years old (born about 1898) in World War I, that he is listed in the Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, Nord, France, and that he was the "Son of Mr. W. Osmond, of 'Highcliffe,' Castle Rd., Salisbury, Wiltshire", England.
In the 1901 Census, "Harry Osmond" is listed as being 3 years old (born about 1898), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing as a "visitor" in the household of Aron (age 60) and Ann (age 63) Coles in St. Martin, Wiltshire.
In the 1911 Census, "Harry Osmond" is listed as being 13 years old (born about 1898), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, and residing with his father, William Osmond, and step-mother, Edith Eliza, and two older siblings, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
The death of William Osmond is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his death was registered in October-December 1927 in Salisbury district, Wiltshire, England, and that he died at the age of 61 (born about 1866).
In the 1891 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 24 years old (born about 1867), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, married and working as a "Pastrycook and Confectioner", and residing with his wife, Mary, in Chelsea, London, England.
In the 1901 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 34 years old (born about 1867), born in Southampton, Hampshire, married and working as a "Baker and Pastry Cook", and residing with his second wife, Edith E., and his two oldest sons by his first wife, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, William Osmond is listed as being 44 years old (born about 1867), born in Southampton, Hampshire, married and working as a "Pastrycook haterer", and residing with his second wife of 10 years (married about 1901), Edith Eliza, and his three children by his first wife, and their one child, Edith Irene A. Osmond (age 7), at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
The birth of Edith Eliza Butler is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that her birth was registered in July-September 1876 in Alderbury district, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1901 Census, Edith E. (Osmond) is listed as being 24 years old (born about 1877), born in Salibsury, Wiltshire, married and residing with her husband, William Osmond, and two step-sons, at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
In the 1911 Census, Edith Eliza (Osmond) is listed as being 34 years old (born about 1877), born in Salisbury, Wiltshire, married for 10 years (married about 1901), the mother of one (living) child, and residing with her husband, William Osmond, and his three children (by his first wife) and their one child, Edith Irene A. Osmond (age 7), at: 65 Fisherton Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England.
The birth of "Harold Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in July-September 1897 in Islington district, London, England.
"Harold Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Gunner" in the "Royal Field Artillery" who died on 29 March 1916 at the age of 18 years old (born about 1898) in World War I, that he is listed in the Bethune Town Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France, and that he was the "Son of Charles and Mary Ann Osmond, of 16, Lampeter St., Shepperton Rd., Islington, London", England.
"Harold Edward Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Private" in the "South Wales Borderers" who died on 3 November 1915 at the age of 26 years old (born about 1889) in World War I, that he is listed in the Pieta Military Cemetery in Malta, and that he was the "Son of Edward Osmond, of 21, Broomfield St., Caerphilly, Cardiff", Wales.
The birth of "Herbert John S. Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in April-June 1886 in Bedminster district, Gloucestershire, England.
"Herbert John Sherborne Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Lance Corporal" in the "Somerset Light Infantry" who died on 27 November 1914 at the age of 28 years old (born about 1886) in World War I, that he is listed in the Ploegsteert Memorial in Hainaut, Belgium, and that he was the "Son of Julia Annie Osmond, of 18A, Oakfield Place, Clifton, Bristol, and the late Herbert Coombs Osmond. His brother Harold Coombs was drowned at sea (torpedoed)".
The birth of "Harold Coombs Osmond" is listed in the online FreeBMD, which states that his birth was registered in July-September 1895 in Clutton district, Somerset, England.
"Harold Coombs Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Cook's Mate" in the "Royal Navy" aboard the "H.M.S. Aboukir" who died on 22 September 1914 in World War I, and that he is listed in the Chatham Naval Memorial in Kent, England.
Historical Information about the H.M.S. Aboukir:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Aboukir_(1900):
HMS Aboukir was a Cressy-class armoured cruiser. She was built in 1902. The Cressy-class vessels had rapidly become obsolete due to the great advances in naval architecture in the years leading up to the First World War. At the outbreak of the war, these ships were mostly staffed by reserve sailors. Aboukir was one of four ships that made up Rear Admiral Henry H Campbell's 7th Cruiser Squadron.
Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, Aboukir and her sister ships — Bacchante, Euryalus, Hogue and Cressy — were assigned to patrol the Broad Fourteens of the North Sea in support of a force of destroyers and submarines based at Harwich which blocked the Eastern end of the English Channel from German warships attempting to attack the supply route between England and France.
At around 06:00 on 22 September [1914], the three cruisers (the flagship Baccante with Admiral Christian had had to return to harbour to refuel) were steaming at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) in line ahead and they were spotted by the German submarine, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Weddigen. Although they were not zigzagging, all of the ships had lookouts posted to search for periscopes and one gun on each side of each ship was manned. Weddigen ordered his submarine to submerge and closed the range to the unsuspecting British ships. At close range, he fired a single torpedo at Aboukir. The torpedo broke her back, and she sank within 20 minutes with the loss of 527 men.
The captains of Cressy and Hogue thought Aboukir had struck a floating mine and came forward to assist her. They stood by and began to pick up survivors. At this point, Weddigen fired two torpedoes into Hogue, mortally wounding that ship. As Hogue sank, the captain of Cressy realised that the squadron was being attacked by a submarine, and tried to flee. However, Weddigen fired two more torpedoes into Cressy, and sank her as well.
The entire battle had lasted less than two hours, and cost the British three warships, 62 officers and 1,397 ratings. This incident established the U-boat as a major weapon in the conduct of naval warfare.
"James Charles Edward Osmond" is listed in the "Commonwealth War Graves Commission" website (www.cwgc.org), which states that he was a "Corporal" in the "Australian Infantry, A.I.F." who died on 25 August 1918 at the age of 21 years old (born about 1897) in World War I, that he is listed in the Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-Sur-Somme, Somme, France, and that he was the "Son of George Henry and Sarah A. Osmond, of Woodford, Queensland", Australia.