Edward was born in October 1920 in Willesden, Middlesex to German born parents Max Oettinger and Fanny née Eckstein. Max and Fanny were born in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. On December 15 1909, Max and his family became naturalised British citizens. The family legally changed their surname from Oettinger to Osborne on 15 September 1939.

Edward had four brothers, Frank, Alan, John and Peter and two sisters, Claire and Ruth.

Edward was the pilot of Mosquito PZ226 which departed RAF West Raynham to provide bomber support at Kiel. The aircraft crashed 25 km west-south-west of Schwerin, Germany.

Edward and his navigator George Victor Acheson were both killed and are laid to rest beside each other.