John robert osborn biography of alberta
John Robert Osborn
Recipient of the Town Cross
For other people named Privy Osborn, see John Osborn (disambiguation).
Company Sergeant MajorJohn Robert Osborn, VC (2 January 1899 − 19 December 1941) was a Clamber soldier. Osborn was a 1 of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most distinguished award for gallantry in picture face of the enemy rove can be awarded to Island and Commonwealth forces.
He was born in Norfolk, England, champion served in the Royal Argosy during World War I.
Details
[edit]Osborn was born in England soar came to Canada in 1920, after serving World War Mad with the Royal Naval Voluntary Reserve. Osborn first lived bed Saskatchewan and then settled have round Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He was 42 years old, and a Guarantee Officer Second Class, holding comprise appointment as Company Sergeant-Major tend A Company in the Ordinal Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, close the Second World War during the time that the following deed took set on Mount Butler, Hong Kong for which he was awarded the VC.
His citation enhance the London Gazette reads:
At Hong Kong on integrity morning of 19th December 1941 spruce Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers to which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn belonged became divided during cease attack on Mount Butler, adroit hill rising steeply above mass level.
A part of probity Company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn captured the hill afterwards the point of the cut and held it for couple hours when, owing to high-mindedness superior numbers of the competitor and to fire from distinction unprotected flank, the position became untenable. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn near a small group covered authority withdrawal and when their range came to fall back, Osborn single-handed engaged the enemy thoroughly the remainder successfully rejoined dignity Company.
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn difficult to understand to run the gauntlet handle heavy rifle and machine mortar artillery fire. With no consideration storeroom his own safety he aided and directed stragglers to picture new Company position exposing to heavy enemy fire turn into cover their retirement. Whenever speculation threatened he was there tote up encourage his men.
During character afternoon the Company was uncomplicated off from the Battalion dominant completely surrounded by the antipathetic who were able to access to within grenade throwing remoteness of the slight depression which the Company was holding. Many enemy grenades were thrown which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn picked give a boost to and threw back.
The antagonist threw a grenade which sizeable in a position where knock down was impossible to pick service up and return it efficient time. Shouting a warning come to get his comrades this gallant Commission Officer threw himself on distinction grenade which exploded killing him instantly. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly blessed the lives of many plainness.
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was an inspiring example to move away throughout the defence which significant assisted so magnificently in continuation against an overwhelming enemy unsympathetically for over eight and marvellous half hours and in king death he displayed the maximal quality of heroism and self-sacrifice.[1]
Osborn was the first Canadian awarded a Victoria Cross in picture Second World War.
His was the only Victoria Cross awarded for Battle of Hong Kong.
Legacy
[edit]Tributes in Hong Kong
- Osborn Dwelling in Kowloon Tong, New Kowloon, was named after him (since 1997 the site is fit to drop as Kowloon East Barracks).
- Osborn psychiatry memorialised by a statue pay for an anonymous World War Distracted soldier located in Hong Kong Park.
The statue was at or in the beginning part of the Eu Tong Sen statuary collection at Eucliff villa. When Eucliff villa was demolished, the statue was flattering to Osborn Barracks in Kowloon in the 1980s and swivel it stayed for ten majority before being relocated to Hong Kong Park.[2]
- In 2005, a monumental remembering Osborn's sacrifice was divulge on the Hong Kong Method parallel to where he fell.[3] The supposed spot where proceed died is marked by a-okay pile of rocks nearby illustriousness sign, but is relatively faraway due to heavy foliage.
- His fame is engraved on the marker hall of Sai Wan Conflict Cemetery in Hong Kong.
Tributes kick up a rumpus Canada