John Robert Osborn

John Robert Osborn, VC (02 January 1899 – 19 December 1941), designated by army service number H/6008, served as Warrant Officer Class II and Company Sergeant Major with A Company, 1st Battalion, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, Royal Canadian Infantry Corps. He was born in Foulden, Norfolk, England. Osborn enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during the First World War. He completed naval surface service at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 before transferring to ground combat with the Hawke Battalion of the 63rd Royal Naval Division on the Western Front. Enemy forces wounded and captured him near Cambrai in March 1917, though he escaped captivity two days later. A severe mustard gas attack in late 1918 damaged his lungs, prompting his emigration to Canada in March 1920 under medical advice.

Settling in Manitoba after brief agricultural work in Saskatchewan, Osborn joined the Canadian Pacific Railway and enlisted in the Non-Permanent Active Militia with the Winnipeg Grenadiers in 1933. When the unit mobilized for active service on 03 September 1939, Osborn assumed the appointment of Company Sergeant Major. He completed garrison duties in Bermuda and Jamaica before deploying to British Hong Kong in October 1941 as part of C Force. Japanese forces attacked the colony on 08 December 1941. Osborn performed the gallantry that earned him the Victoria Cross on 19 December 1941 during the defense of Mount Butler.

The citation in the London Gazette of 2nd April, 1946 (Supplement 37517) : "At Hong Kong, on 19th December, 1941, a company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers became divided in an attack on Mount Butler. A part of the company led by C.S.M. Osborn captured the hill at bayonet point, but after three hours owing to the superior numbers of the enemy the position became untenable. C.S.M. Osborn and a small group covered the withdrawal and when their turn came to fall back he single-handed engaged the enemy, exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to cover their retirement. Later the Company was cut off and completely surrounded. Several enemy grenades were thrown which C.S.M. Osborn picked up and threw back. When one landed in a position where it was impossible to pick it up, he threw himself upon it and was instantly killed. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades. C.S.M. Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence, and in his death he displayed the highest qualities of heroism and self-sacrifice."

Osborn has no known grave and is commemorated on Column 25 of the Sai Wan Memorial in Hong Kong.