The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
Dear E, Thanks so much for kind letter which was quite cheering. I will write you a letter very soon. Thought you would like this card. It's rather uncommon. We are within two minutes' walk from Hyde Park. Amy is getting on better than expected - will explain when I write. Love to P. and yourself. Affectionately, Bill".
Hyde Park Pets' Cemetery
London's Hyde Park was the site of an informal pet cemetery between 1881 and 1903, in the gatekeeper's garden. From the first burial of 'Cherry' until its official closure in 1903, it received 300 burials with miniature headstones, with a final special burial of the Royal Marines mascot dog 'Prince' in 1967.
You can only view it by contacting the Royal Parks. The cemetery is not normally open to the general public, but special one-hour viewings can be arranged by contacting The Royal Parks.
Each visit can accommodate 6 people and as of 2020 costs £60 (including tax).
Alternatively, if you walk west along the Bayswater Road, passing Victoria Lodge, and peer through the iron railings, you can catch a glimpse.
Matt Osborne (RAF airman)
So what else happened on the day that the card was posted?
Well, the 19th. October 1906 marked the birth of Albert Matthew Osborne - recipient of the George Cross in 1942.
Matt was a Leading Aircraftman who enlisted in the RAF in July 1940.
Among his many acts of valour he made safe torpedoes in burning aircraft, rescued a pilot from a burning plane and worked to rescue trapped airmen amid heavy enemy bombing. He was killed on the 2nd. April 1942 by an explosion while fire fighting.
Matt Osborne's George Cross Citation
Matt's citation was published in the London Gazette on the 10th. July 1942:
The King has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the George Cross to 1058637 Leading Aircraftman Albert Matthew Osborne, Royal Air Force.
During a period of fierce enemy air attacks on Malta, Osborne has displayed unsurpassed courage and devotion to duty. In circumstances of the greatest danger he was always first at hand to deal with emergencies, whether in fire fighting operations or in rescue work. The following are examples of his promptitude and gallantry:
- Rendered safe the torpedo of a burning torpedo aircraft, working 3 feet from the main petrol tank for ten minutes.
- Extinguished a burning aircraft during a heavy bombing attack. Attempted to save a burning aircraft and subsequently removed torpedoes from the vicinity. Assisted in saving the pilot of a burning aircraft and extinguishing the fire. Saved an aircraft from destruction by fire.
- Attempted for six hours to extricate airmen from a bombed shelter, despite continued heavy bombing and danger from falling stone-work.
- Fought fires in two aircraft, his efforts resulting in the saving of one.
- Freed the parachute of a burning flare caught in an aircraft, enabling the pilot to taxi clear.
- Checked the fire in a burning aircraft, the greater part of which was undamaged.
The last three incidents occurred on the same day. Leading Aircraftman Osborne was unfortunately killed on the 2nd. April, 1942. During an intense, air attack he led a party to extinguish the flames of a burning aircraft. A petrol tank exploded, and he was injured and affected by the fumes.
On recovery, he. returned to fight the fire and was killed by the explosion of an air vessel while attempting to pour water over torpedoes which were in danger of exploding.
This airman's fearless courage and great leadership on all occasions have been beyond praise. The Air Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Mediterranean, has stated that:
"He was one of the bravest airmen it has been my privilege to meet".
The Death of Matt Osborne
After Matt's death at the age of 35 in Malta, he was buried at the Capuccini Naval Cemetery in Kalkara, Malta.
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