Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Albert Oswin was the son of Albert and Dorcas Oswin, both of whom had passed away when he was a small child. He gave his next of kin as his brother, Henry James Oswin. Henry subsequently enlisted in the 3rd Battalion AIF and died of wounds in France during July 1918.

Sergeant Oswin was reported to have been known from one end of the Clarence River district to the other, and a long way beyond. His home was originally at Red Rock, on the upper Clarence, where he spent his early childhood. He was educated at the Grafton Public School, and quite early distinguished himself by passing the Public Service Examination, and was admitted as a school teacher. He was a successful teacher for a number of years, and then took up farming. When the Australian Light Horse was organised in around 1909 Oswin was one of the first on the Clarence to volunteer his services, and was keenly interested in the role. Within a couple of years, he attained the rank of corporal, sergeant and then lieutenant. He was closely associated with Captain Sabine, of Grafton, in connection with the 1914 Light Horse camp at Casino. When war broke out, he was one of the first to volunteer, and his services, in view of his extensive military training, were eagerly accepted. He joined the Light Horse contingent from the Northern Rivers which encamped with the Queensland men at Ennogera, and after several weeks of training the Brigade embarked for Egypt.

The Grafton Argus printed a letter in August 1915, from Sergeant H.G. Mulherin of the 2nd Light Horse Regiment regarding the death of Sergeant Oswin, “Mudros, Lemnos Island, It is with heartfelt sorrow that I write these few lines to you. On the 14th May (Friday), at midnight, we charged the Turkish trenches. Our squadron only charged. We had to capture about 200 yards of Turkish, trench and fill it in. …I was with Capt. Birkbeck on the right, so I did not see Oswin or Wade. During the fight I was wounded in the right shoulder and consequently when it was over I was sent on board a hospital ship. Before I left, I asked the Army Medical Corps how Ossie got on, but I could not find out. The day after I heard from another of our chaps who came on wounded that there were only five or six in our squadron not wounded or killed, and there were 23 missing or killed. Later, much to my sorrow. I heard that Sergt. Oswin and Sergt. Wade were both missing, but they knew they were dead between the Turkish trench and ours. However, I could not believe it, and would not write to you unless I was certain, but Lieut. Ogilvie came into the hospital yesterday with pleurisy, and he told me that we had an armistice with the Turks the other day for six hours to bury dead, and both poor Ossie and Stan Wade were found and buried. You cannot imagine how I feel, having lost the best mate, ever I had. Ossie and I always got along like brothers and I also hope that God will give you strength to bear your sorrow when you hear of his death. Poor Ossie was one of the bravest Australians that ever wore a uniform, and I feel terribly lost without him. I was sent with some other wounded to the hospital on Lemnos Island, but I am going back in a few days.”

Sergeant Albert Edward Oswin was recommended for an award for ‘gallantry during the charge from Quinns Post on 14 May 1915.”