Reginald Osborn was an "Alternativist" Conscientious Objector, one who accepted alternative forms of service during the war, as long as they did not involve taking an active part in the destruction of life. The form of alternative service Reginald took up was known as WNI, standing for Work of National Importance. WNI is sometimes seen as an easy option for COs to take, but in reality it was grinding, difficult and punishing, out of all proportion to the supposed "crime" of being a CO. Reginald applied to the Malden and Coombe Tribunal in mid 1916, his call-up put off as he was married with one child in 1916. He was initially passed exempt from Combatant Service Only, which would have meant a swift transfer to the Non-Combatant Corps of the Army, but instead he was sent to the Pelham Committee, which oversaw COs on WNI.

It is not clear how or why Reginald ended up taking on WNI, but it is possible that his application was reconsidered. Being the sole support of a child and a registered invalid wife, Reginald's case may have justified an ameliorated verdict. By October 1916 he was working on a fruit farm in Truro - deliberately sent a great distance from home in an attempt to make WNI as punishing as possible for COs. He continued working there until June 1917, when his concern that his nominal pittance of a wage was insufficient to support his wife and family. The Pelham committee, by this time well aware that COs could not be expected to work for what were essentially token wages, allowed him to find new work in an establishment closer to home. Reginald was lucky that his case was considered - and that the Pelham Committee allowed him to move. Many other COs would not be so fortunate, and WNI became a source of frustration and despair for men and their families around the country.