'For conspicuous gallantry in action at BROODSEINDE RIDGE. At about 9 a.m. on 4th October, 1917, this N.C.O. advanced against and captured an enemy observation post, taking a number of prisoners whom he sent to the rear. He assisted in getting his Officer, who was severely wounded, back to a place of safety; and then reorganised his men, who were becoming scattered, and carried on with the assault. Before reaching the final objective he rushed a strong post, captured an enemy trench mortar, a machine gun, and a number of prisoners. He performed exceptional work in the taking and consolidation of the final obejective.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76
Date: 23 May 1918

Regimental number	516
Place of birth	Kingswood, Victoria
School	Kingswood and Fairfield State Schools, Victoria
Religion	Methodist
Occupation	Salesman
Address	Bedford Street, Ringwood, Victoria
Marital status	Single
Age at embarkation	19
Next of kin	Mother, Mrs Annie Thomas, Bedford Road, Ringwood, Victoria
Previous military service	Served in the Cadets and in the Citizen Military Forces.
Enlistment date	2 February 1915
Date of enlistment from Nominal Roll	4 February 1915
Rank on enlistment	Corporal
Unit name	21st Battalion, B Company
AWM Embarkation Roll number	23/38/1
Embarkation details	Unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A38 Ulysses on 10 May 1915
Rank from Nominal Roll	Private
Unit from Nominal Roll	21st Battalion
Fate	Killed in Action 5 October 1918
Place of death or wounding	Montbrehain, France
Age at death	22.6
Age at death from cemetery records	22
Place of burial	Ramicourt British Cemetery (Row C, Grave No. I), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour, Australian War Memorial	95
Miscellaneous information from cemetery records	Parents: Harry Osbourne and Annie THOMAS, Bedford Road, Ringwood, Victoria
Medals	Military Medal 'For conspicuous gallantry in action at BROODSEINDE RIDGE. At about 9 a.m. on 4th October, 1917, this N.C.O. advanced against and captured an enemy observation post, taking a number of prisoners whom he sent to the rear. He assisted in getting his Officer, who was severely wounded, back to a place of safety; and then reorganised his men, who were becoming scattered, and carried on with the assault. Before reaching the final objective he rushed a strong post, captured an enemy trench mortar, a machine gun, and a number of prisoners. He performed exceptional work in the taking and consolidation of the final obejective.' Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 76 Date: 23 May 1918
Other details	War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front Medals: Military Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Rees William THOMAS