Francis Osbund Adams
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First names: Francis Osborne (birth registration) and Frank Osbund (service documents) He was born in 1894 (registered J/A/S) the son of Francis Palethorpe Adams and Rose Adams nee Nursall. Francis and Rose were married in 1884 and were to have seven children: Matthew William, Samuel Reuben, May, Rose, Francis Osborne/Frank Osbund, Ernest N. and Albert E; all the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 Francis, a lace dyer labourer, and Rose lived at 7 Pleasant Place, Old Basford, with their three children, Matthew (5), Samuel (4) and May (1). Ten years later in 1901 they were living at 20 Whitechapel Street, Old Basford. Francis was still working in the textile trade. He and Rose now had six children; Matthew (15), Samuel (14), May (11), Rose (8), Francis (6) and Ernest (2). Also in the household was Francis's wife's brother, Reuben Nursall (20, railway navvy), and his wife, Lily (18, lace curtain mender). By 1911 Francis and Rose were living at 42 Bailey Street, Old Basford, with their children, May, Rose, Francis and Ernest and their youngest child, Albert (8), who had been born after the 1901 Census. Their other son, Samuel, had married Ellen Abbiss in 1909 and was living at 14 Marlow Avenue, Basford. Francis married Annie Lancaster in 1914 (O/N/D) and their only child, Rose Annie, was born the following year on 10 May 1915. Francis's brother, Samuel, served in the 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters and was killed on 20 October 1914 (Ploegsteert Memorial). Francis's widow, Annie, completed a form for the army in 1919 listing her late husband's surviving relatives: his widowed mother, Rose, was living at 170 Radford Road, Nottingham, with her sons Matthew (34), Ernest (20) and Albert (17) and her daughter Rose (27); her other daughter May was married (Turner). The CWGC record gives his mother's address as 7 Henser Grove, Hyson Green, Nottingham; his widow was still living at 17 Bailey Street, Old Basford. Francis's father died in 1918 aged 54 and his mother in 1932 aged 67.
He served in 'A' Company. He enlisted in the Territorial Force (7th Bn Sherwood Foresters) on 9 June 1909 giving his age as 17 years 3 months; his service record gives his date of birth as 'about 1892' but as his birth was registered in 1894 (J/A/S) he would have been two years younger than his declared age. His record shows that he completed fortnight camps annually between 1909 and 1912; he re-engaged in the Territorial Force on 5 March 1914. He served in France from 28 February 1915 and was appointed unpaid lance corporal on 17 August 1915 and paid lance corporal on 25 August 1915. He was reported missing on 13 October and his service record was annotated 'reported by GRC as buried and accepted as killed in action 13 October 1915.' He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panel 87-89). He qualified for the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He gave his name as 'Frank Osbund' when he attested in the Territorial Force in 1909. His personal possessions were returned to widow in January 1916 and comprised: letters, postcards, writing paper, handkerchief, stick of shaving soap, field service pocket book, linen bag. Annie Adams was awarded a pension of 15 shillings for herself and her child with effect from 19 June 1916. His brother Pte. Samuel Adams, 2nd Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment, was killed in action on 20th October 1914. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
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