Osborough, William Thomas

Sergeant William Thomas Osborough (known as Billy)

was born at 169 Bishops Street, Londonderry on 5th December 1894 to Andrew Osborough (Constable, Royal Irish Constabulary) and Margaret Osborough nee Bradshaw. They had married at the 1st Holywood Presbyterian Church on 30th September 1892.

In 1901, William (6) was living in house 169.1 Garvagh, Co. Londonderry with his mother and 2 siblings; Cecil Robert (5) and Beatrice Maud (2). Andrew's (the father) name was originally written on the census form but stroked out later. It is possible that he was on duty in eg a police station and not recorded on the census.

In 1902 William was placed 5th in the Garvagh Flower Show 'handwriting section'.

William (14) is recorded in the 'Coleraine Chronicle' dated Saturday, 5th September 1908 as winning a 7th standard prize at Coleraine Model School. His name also appeared in the following years prize list.

In 1910, a Sergeant (Andrew) Osborough is recorded as being in charge of Portstewart Royal Irish Constabulary station.  

See more on Andrew Osborough below.

On 3rd September 1910 the 'Coleraine Chronicle' reported that William had gained a clerkship in the Irish Land Commission Office in Dublin.

Coleraine Chronicle, 3rd September 1910

By 1911, Margaret was living in house 49.1 Coleraine Road, Portstewart, Co. Londonderry. The parents and 8 children; Cecil, Beatrice Maud, Violet May, Albert Edward, Alexander M, Ethel Maria, Amy Elizabeth and George Andrew. As in 1901, Andrew's (the father) name was originally written on the census form but stroked out later. It is possible that he was on duty in eg a police station and not recorded on the census.

In 1911 William Thomas Osborough (16) is recorded as boarding in house 13, Infirmary Road, East Side (Montpelier Hill). (Arran Quay, Dublin). His occupation is a Civil Service Clerk (Boy Clerk Irish Land Commission).

On 28th September 1912, William signed the Ulster Covenant at the City Hall, Belfast.

William would have joined the Belfast Banking Company by 1912/1913. A Samuel R Henry (merchant) of Portstewart signed the Bankers Indemnity. 

Belfast Bank - Bankers Indemnity ledger - W T Osborough

The Bankers Indemnity ledger has his branch as originally Western and then Bangor branches.

Belfast Bank, Western (Shankill Road) branch

In 1915 whilst working in Western branch, William volunteered and enlisted at Lurgan into the Cadet Corps of the 10th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. This news was reported in the 'Belfast News Letter' dated 17th November 1915:

Belfast News Letter, 17th November 1915

The army Medal Index Card records William's Service Number as 22758.

Medal Index Card - Wm T Osborough

At some stage, William transferred into the 5th Bn and the 11th Bn. Royal Irish Fusiliers. He attained the rank of Acting Sergeant. 

William was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Medal Roll - Wm T Osborough

Following his demobilisation after the Great War, William returned to the Belfast Banking Company.

William is remembered on the Roll of Honour in Holywood Presbyterian Church.

Photo courtesy of John McCormick

In 1924 he was the Treasurer of Holywood Cricket Club with club reports being published in local newspapers on a regular basis.

In 1931 he was Worshipful Master in the Freedom Masonic Lodge No. 394, The Mount, Belfast.

During the 1930s, William had married Joan Ashley [surname not known] and on 20th February 1939 the 'Belfast News Letter' announced the birth of a son on 13th February to Mr and Mrs Wm Osborough of Belfast Bank House, 4 Bradbury Place, Belfast. This was Peter Osborough - see below.

Belfast News Letter, 20th February 1939

Belfast Bank, Bradbury Place, Belfast branch

Margaret Osborough (William's mother) of 104 High Street, Holywood died on 19th September 1939 leaving her estate to her husband, Andrew. The Belfast Banking Company, Holywood branch was at 100 High Street.

William was a member of the Belfast Banking Company Sports Club on 26th March 1945 paying 5 shillings subscription.   

He had kept up his association with the Royal Irish Fusiliers and was appointed Honorary Treasurer of their Regimental and Old Comrades Association in October 1945. Newspapers carried his name in many editions over the years.

He also served in their South End (Ormeau Road / Ballynafeigh) branch before he was transferred to Bangor branch as Manager in 1949. Peter Osborough describes his childhood life living in the manager's house in this sound link to the Bangor Open House Festival.

Belfast Bank, Bangor branch

William is recorded in the 1956 annual accounts of the Belfast Banking Company as being manager of Bangor branch. Here he is standing on the steps of his branch:

Photo courtesy of 'Open House Festival'

Retirement came in 1957.

The Staff Magazine ‘The Link (Summer 1984)’ contains a photograph of William Osborough in a 1947 Belfast Banking Company Cricket Team.

Sergeant Andrew Osborough (Royal Irish Constabulary)

Hansard

ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY—CONSTABLE OSBOROUGH, CO. DOWN.

HC Deb 04 April 1887 vol 313 cc360-1360

MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether Constable Osborough, Royal Irish Constabulary, when stationed at Holywood, County Down, was twice reported for neglect of duty, and was, on the recommendation of the District-Inspector, transferred to another station; whether a memorial was received by the County Inspector of Down, from magistrates of the district, asking for the return of Osborough to Holywood station; whether, on this memorial having been forwarded to Dublin Castle, the Inspector General directed that Osborough should be sent back to Holywood; and, whether this action of the Inspector General is in accordance with the practice always followed in such cases?

THE CHIEF SECEETAEY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR)(Manchester, E.)

I am informed that no complaint or report was made against this constable, but that the County Inspector had given an order which led to his transfer, and that the magistrates at Holywood asked that he should be sent back on the ground of his good conduct, local knowledge, and good service, and the County Inspector complied. The matter was in the discretion of the County Inspector, and was not referred to the Inspector General.