Osborne in Journey's End
Loyal
Osborne is Stanhope鈥檚 second in command. His loyalty - despite Stanhope鈥檚 flaws - remains throughout.
He makes it clear to the audience that Stanhope is an exceptional soldier.
When Hardy is gossiping about Stanhope, Osborne states "I love that fellow. I'd go to hell with him.鈥
While he recognises Stanhope鈥檚 flaws, Osborne understands that dealing with the horrors of war have made him the way he is. Because of this, he refuses to criticise Stanhope.
Respected
Osborne鈥檚 respected place in the company is shown in how Stanhope and the others call him "Uncle". We find out that he has been a schoolmaster and the other men - including Stanhope - look up to him.
After his death, Stanhope shows a softer side when he laments that Osborne was, 鈥淭he one man I could trust - my best friend - the one man I could talk to as man to man - who understood everything鈥.
This is high praise coming from a commanding officer as heroic as Stanhope.
Likable
In the opening scene of the play Osborne is contrasted favourably with Hardy. For example, Osborne鈥檚 humour is less rude so we come to like him immediately.
He is kind and friendly to everyone he meets.
The fact that he has played rugby for England - but only mentions it to Raleigh in passing and asks him not to 鈥渂reeze it about鈥 - shows he is a humble man.
He is concerned for those around him, saying to Stanhope, 鈥淣ow come and lie down. You鈥檝e had a hard day of it.鈥 He is the most popular officer with all the other men and is much lamented by Stanhope when he dies.
Brave
Given Osborne鈥檚 age he wouldn't have been recruited, he would have volunteered. This would have increased a 1928 audience's respect for him, showing his bravery in giving his life for his country.
We know he is terrified at the thought of being part of the raid. We see him reading from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - he comforts himself with this childhood book and uses it as a distraction from the horrors of the war.
He accepts his fate with an 鈥淥h鈥 when he is told he will be involved and right up to the end - despite his fear - he does his duty bravely.