Winnipeg Grenadiers of Canada Memorial Plaque

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Type

Other

This plaque is dedicated to all members of the Winnipeg Grenadiers of Canada. It is a replica of the plaque that was dedicated in December 2005 during the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Hong Kong Prisoners of War. It was dedicated to the Winnipeg Grenadiers who defended Wong Nei Chong Gap and unveiled at the Tai Tarn Country Park which was close to Jardine's Lookout in Hong Kong.

Inscription

[front/devant]

(the left column is the wording in French/colonne de gauche : texte en français)

(the centre column is the wording in Chinese/colonne du centre : texte en chinois)

[right column/colonne de droite]

JARDINE'S LOOKOUT

This plaque is dedicated to all members
of the Winnipeg Grenadiers of Canada

In the early hours of December 19, 1941,
"A" and "D" Companies of the Winnipeg
Grenadiers of Canada fought to stem the
waves of Japanese troops attacking the
strategic high ground on Mount Butler.
After a vicious struggle the Canadians
became divided. A group was driven
downhill to Jardine's Lookout, where
Company Sergeant Major John Osborn
took charge of about 65 Grenadiers
of "A" Company. Hand grenades were
thown at his group. Osborn responded
by flinging these back at the enemy. One
grenade was thrown which he could not
pick up in time, and after shouting a
warning, he threw his body over it, thus
saving the lives of several comrades.
He was posthumously awarded the Victo-
ria Cross, the highest award for military
valour in the British Commonwealth.