The locket contains a painted ivory plaque depicting an oval shield, a trophy of arms and flags behind it, under glass with a blue- and gold-scalloped border. On the shield is the inscription: ‘NELSONS VICTORY’. A silver-gilt plaque on the back is inscribed ‘Presented to William Osborn by his Friends and admirers in commemoration of the Battle of the Nile, in which he took part on the 1st August, 1798.’ The locket has a glazed, gilt setting and is fitted with a suspension loop and blue-edged white ribbon.

William Osborn(e) served as an able seaman in ‘Minotaur’ during the battle. He was born in north Buckinghamshire in late 1754, entering the Navy as a volunteer in HMS ‘Dictator’ from Chatham. Details of his career after 1802 are unknown.