Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37517/supplement/1617. No. H.6008 Warrant Officer Class II (Company-Sergeant-Major) John Robert Osborn, Canadian Infantry Corps. On 19th December 1941 during the attack on Mount Butler, Hong Kong, a part of one company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn, captured and held the hill until the position became untenable, when he helped stragglers to the new company position, exposing himself to heavy fire to cover their retirement. Later the enemy were hurling grenades which he picked up and threw back, until one landed in a position where it was impossible to return it in time, whereupon he shouted a warning and then threw himself on the grenade which exploded, killing him instantly.
Fold3_Team · 31 Oct 2023
Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37517/supplement/1617. No. H.6008 Warrant Officer Class II (Company-Sergeant-Major) John Robert Osborn, Canadian Infantry Corps. On 19th December 1941 during the attack on Mount Butler, Hong Kong, a part of one company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn, captured and held the hill until the position became untenable, when he helped stragglers to the new company position, exposing himself to heavy fire to cover their retirement. Later the enemy were hurling grenades which he picked up and threw back, until one landed in a position where it was impossible to return it in time, whereupon he shouted a warning and then threw himself on the grenade which exploded, killing him instantly.