John Robert Osborn
Warrant Officer, 1st Battalion. Winnipeg Grenadiers. Canadian Infantry Corps
- Register No.
- 950 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Warrant Officer (register: Company Sergeant Major) all Warrant Officers →
- Unit
- 1st Battalion. Winnipeg Grenadiers. Canadian Infantry Corps all Winnipeg Grenadiers VCs →
- Date of action
- 19 December 1941 on this day → all of 1941 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- the 2nd April 1946 on this day → all of 1946 →
- Born
- 2nd January 1899 at Foulden, near Thetford, Norfolk
- Died
- in action on 19th December 1941 at Mount Butler, Hong Kong
- Award
- Posthumous all posthumous VCs →
- Memorial / grave
- on the Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong and also Osborn Barracks, Hong Kong
Digest of citation
During the attack on Mount Butler, Hong Kong on the 19th December 1941 a section of the company led by Sergeant-Major Osborn captured and held a hill until the position became untenable. He helped the stragglers to the new company position and whilst covering their retirement he was exposed to the enemy. Later, when the enemy were hurling grenades at them, he picked up one and threw it back at the enemy. One grenade landed in a position where it was impossible to retrieve it and return it in time. Sergeant-Major Osborn shouted a warning to his comrades, then threw himself to bodily cover the grenade, which exploded. He was killed instantly
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
OSBORN, John Robert. (reg No. 950).
Warrant Officer 1st Battalion. Winnipeg Grenadiers. Canadian Infantry Corps.
London Gazetted on the 2nd April 1946.
Born on 2nd January 1899 at Foulden, near Thetford, Norfolk.
Killed in action on 19th December 1941 at Mount Butler, Hong Kong.
Memorial on the Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong and also Osborn Barracks, Hong Kong.
Digest of Citation reads: During the attack on Mount Butler, Hong Kong on the 19th December 1941 a section of the company led by Sergeant-Major Osborn captured and held a hill until the position became untenable. He helped the stragglers to the new company position and whilst covering their retirement he was exposed to the enemy. Later, when the enemy were hurling grenades at them, he picked up one and threw it back at the enemy. One grenade landed in a position where it was impossible to retrieve it and return it in time. Sergeant-Major Osborn shouted a warning to his comrades, then threw himself to bodily cover the grenade, which exploded. He was killed instantly.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: on the Sai Wan Bay Memorial, Hong Kong and also Osborn Barracks, Hong Kong
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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