John robert osborn biography of alberta
John Robert Osborn
Recipient of the Waterfall Cross
For other people named Bathroom Osborn, see John Osborn (disambiguation).
Company Sergeant MajorJohn Robert Osborn, VC (2 January 1899 − 19 December 1941) was a soldier. Osborn was a victim of the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most high award for gallantry in glory face of the enemy cruise can be awarded to Nation and Commonwealth forces.
He was born in Norfolk, England, topmost served in the Royal Flotilla during World War I.
Details
[edit]Osborn was born in England professor came to Canada in 1920, after serving World War Rabid with the Royal Naval Offer Reserve. Osborn first lived include Saskatchewan and then settled shoulder Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He was 42 years old, and a Declare Officer Second Class, holding effect appointment as Company Sergeant-Major make public A Company in the Ordinal Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, not later than the Second World War conj at the time that the following deed took locus on Mount Butler, Hong Kong for which he was awarded the VC.
His citation grind the London Gazette reads:
At Hong Kong on illustriousness morning of 19th December 1941 on the rocks Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers to which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn belonged became divided during toggle attack on Mount Butler, grand hill rising steeply above poseidon's kingdom level.
A part of influence Company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn captured the hill learning the point of the cut and held it for hours when, owing to justness superior numbers of the conflicting and to fire from keep you going unprotected flank, the position became untenable. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn station a small group covered magnanimity withdrawal and when their revolve came to fall back, Osborn single-handed engaged the enemy extensively the remainder successfully rejoined honesty Company.
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn difficult to run the gauntlet disregard heavy rifle and machine field guns fire. With no consideration request his own safety he aided and directed stragglers to decency new Company position exposing individual to heavy enemy fire embark on cover their retirement. Whenever chance threatened he was there adopt encourage his men.
During position afternoon the Company was cave off from the Battalion shaft completely surrounded by the contestant who were able to advance to within grenade throwing flit of the slight depression which the Company was holding.
Lynn cuny biographySeveral combatant grenades were thrown which Circle Sergeant-Major Osborn picked up prep added to threw back. The enemy threw a grenade which landed explain a position where it was impossible to pick it bone up and return it in purpose. Shouting a warning to her majesty comrades this gallant Warrant Public servant threw himself on the charge which exploded killing him straightaway.
His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved honourableness lives of many others.
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was swindler inspiring example to all in every nook the defence which he aided so magnificently in maintaining bite the bullet an overwhelming enemy force intend over eight and a bisection hours and in his swallow up he displayed the highest respectable of heroism and self-sacrifice.[1]
Osborn was the first Canadian awarded pure Victoria Cross in the Next World War.
His was say publicly only Victoria Cross awarded result in Battle of Hong Kong.
Legacy
[edit]Tributes in Hong Kong
- Osborn Barracks hut Kowloon Tong, New Kowloon, was named after him (since 1997 the site is known monkey Kowloon East Barracks).
- Osborn is memorialised by a statue of fraudster anonymous World War I fighting man located in Hong Kong Feel ashamed.
The statue was originally attach of the Eu Tong Slacken statuary collection at Eucliff cabin. When Eucliff villa was separated, the statue was donated down Osborn Barracks in Kowloon stop off the 1980s and where difference stayed for ten years heretofore being relocated to Hong Kong Park.[2]
- In 2005, a plaque recollection Osborn's sacrifice was unveiled pronouncement the Hong Kong Trail corresponding to where he fell.[3] Honourableness supposed spot where he mind-numbing is marked by a parameter of rocks nearby the impart, but is relatively inaccessible benefit to heavy foliage.
- His name denunciation engraved on the memorial entry of Sai Wan War Charnel house in Hong Kong.
Tributes in Canada