Osborn Wilkinson, born in 1822, came from Birmingham and was educated at Eton and Christ’s College, Cambridge. He was transferred from the 4th Cavalry to be appointed Commandant of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry on 11 March 1871. He joined the army as a cornet in the 10th Bengal Light Cavalry on 27 Jan 1844, promoted to lieutenant on12 Aug 1848. He was appointed adjutant of the 10th BLC on 25 Oct 1854. At the time of the Mutiny he was on leave in England but returned to serve in one of the cavalry units fighting mutineers. He was promoted to captain on 30 April 1858, major on 20 July 1858 and lieutenant-colonel on 14 July 1867. He reached the rank of Colonel on 27 Jan 1875 and after relinquishing command of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry he was promoted to major-general and appointed CB. He co-wrote, with his identical twin brother Major-General Johnson Wilkinson, The Memoirs of the Gemini Generals: Personal Anecdotes, Sporting Adventures and Sketches of Distinguished Officers (A D Innes & Co 1896). The photo shows him as commandant of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry c1874.
