John Robert Osborn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Robert Osborn
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Company Sergeant-Major J.R. Osborn of "A" Company, The Winnipeg Grenadiers, Jamaica, ca. 1940–1941.
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| Born | 2 January 1899 Foulden, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 19 December 1941 (aged 42) Mount Butler, Hong Kong |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom Canada |
| Service/ |
 Royal Navy Canadian Army |
| Years of service | 1914−1918 1933−1941 † |
| Rank | Company Sergeant Major |
| Unit | The Winnipeg Grenadiers |
| Battles/wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Victoria Cross |
Company Sergeant Major John Robert Osborn, VC (born January 2, 1899 – died December 19, 1941) was a very brave Canadian soldier. He received the Victoria Cross (VC), which is the highest award for courage in battle given to soldiers from Britain and Commonwealth countries. Osborn was born in Norfolk, England, and served in the Royal Navy during World War I.
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John Osborn's Bravery in World War II
Osborn was born in England and moved to Canada in 1920. This was after he served in World War I with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He first lived in Saskatchewan and then settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
During World War II, Osborn was 42 years old. He was a Company Sergeant-Major for a group of soldiers called "A" Company in the 1st Battalion of The Winnipeg Grenadiers. His heroic actions took place on Mount Butler in Hong Kong. This is where he earned his Victoria Cross.
A Company's Fight on Mount Butler
On December 19, 1941, Osborn's company was attacking Mount Butler in Hong Kong. The mountain rises steeply from the sea. During the attack, the company became separated.
A part of the company, led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn, bravely captured the hill using bayonets. They held the hill for three hours. However, the enemy had more soldiers and were firing from an unprotected side. This made their position impossible to hold.
Osborn's Courageous Actions
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn and a small group of soldiers covered their friends as they pulled back. When it was their turn to retreat, Osborn fought the enemy by himself. This allowed the rest of his group to safely rejoin the company.
Osborn had to run through heavy rifle and machine gun fire. He did not think about his own safety. He helped and guided other soldiers who were separated back to the company's new position. He put himself in danger to protect them. Whenever there was danger, he was there to encourage his men.
Saving Lives from Grenades
Later that afternoon, the company was completely surrounded by the enemy. They were cut off from their main battalion. The enemy was close enough to throw grenades at them. A grenade is a small bomb thrown by hand.
Several enemy grenades were thrown. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn picked them up and threw them back at the enemy. Then, an enemy grenade landed where he could not pick it up and throw it back in time.
Osborn quickly shouted a warning to his friends. Then, he threw himself onto the grenade. The grenade exploded, killing him instantly. His selfless act saved the lives of many other soldiers.
A True Hero
Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was an amazing example to everyone. He helped defend their position against a much larger enemy force for over eight and a half hours. In his death, he showed the highest level of heroism and self-sacrifice.
Osborn was the first Canadian soldier to receive a Victoria Cross in the Second World War. His was the only Victoria Cross awarded for bravery during the entire Battle of Hong Kong.
Remembering John Robert Osborn
John Robert Osborn is remembered in many ways, both in Hong Kong and Canada.
Tributes in Hong Kong
- Osborn Barracks in Kowloon Tong, New Kowloon, was named after him. A "barracks" is a building where soldiers live. Since 1997, this site is known as Kowloon East Barracks.
- There is a statue of a World War I soldier in Hong Kong Park that remembers Osborn. This statue was once part of a private collection. It was later moved to Osborn Barracks and then to Hong Kong Park.
- In 2005, a plaque remembering Osborn's sacrifice was put up on the Hong Kong Trail. This is near where he fell. A pile of rocks nearby marks the supposed spot where he died.
- His name is carved into the memorial hall at Sai Wan War Cemetery in Hong Kong.
Tributes in Canada
- In 2005, Historica Canada created a Heritage Minute about his heroic sacrifice. A Heritage Minute is a short film about an important event or person in Canadian history.
- Osborn Avenue, a street in Brantford, Ontario, is named after him.
- His medals are displayed at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Ontario.
- There is an ANAVets unit in Winnipeg, Manitoba, named after him: ANAF John Osborn VC unit #1.
- The St. Vital Victorias junior ice hockey team in Winnipeg is named in memory of Osborn and his Victoria Cross.
See also
- Falling on a grenade
- John K. Lawson
