A DERBY University lecturer is appealing for details on the

life of an heroic First World War soldier.

Amateur historian Graham Conway stumbled across the account

of Driver Frederick Osborne's bravery in battle while

researching his own grandfather's life.

Driver Osborne, of Allestree Street, Alvaston, helped repel

a German attack in one of the early clashes of the conflict and

his bravery was due to earn him a Victoria Cross – one of the

highest military honours.

But the 19-year-old's fate remains a mystery and now the

environmental sciences lecturer wants to piece together what

happened.

Mr Conway, 60, said: "From the accounts of his bravery, it

seems Driver Osborne deserves recognition, even after all this

time."

The soldier was serving in the Royal Horse Artillery on

September 1, 1914.

Historical archives and accounts from The Derby Mercury at

the time reveal that he was part of an encampment, 33 miles

from Paris.

The Germans launched a surprise attack and Driver Osborne

was one of just three men who managed to start firing three

guns.

Two guns were taken out by enemy fire, wounding Driver

Osborne's cheek, shoulder and chest with shrapnel.

He continued running to bring ammunition for the third gun

until an explosion wounded his knee, but his actions had bought

enough time for reinforcements to arrive.

The soldier survived to write home to tell his parents that

he may be put forward for a VC.

Mr Conway, of Buxton, said: " I was researching an old

newspaper cutting that had been passed down through my family

about my granddad, Ernest Conway, of the Cheshire Regiment.

"On the same page I noticed the story about Driver Osborne.

I'd really like to know what happened to him."

It is known that he did not die in the war as this would

have been recorded with the Commonwealth War Graves

Commission.

Anyone with information can write to Mr Conway at 173

Lightwood Road, Buxton, SK17 6RN, or e-mail

grahamconway@hotmail.com.

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