Citation(s);
Military service
Burial/memorial information
During the First World War, he served in the Royal Naval Division. Osborn immigrated to Canada in 1920. In 1933, he enlisted in the Winnipeg Grenadiers, a non-permanent active militia unit.
When the Second World War began in September 1939, the Grenadiers were placed on active service and stationed for a time in Bermuda with B Force and in Jamaica with Y Force. In October 1941, at the request of the British government, the battalion was sent to Hong Kong with C Force to reinforce the garrison there.
On December 8th 1941, Japanese army units attacked British defensive positions in Hong Kong. By December 18th, three Japanese regiments had landed on the island. At dawn on December 19th, "A" Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers was ordered to move to Jardine's Lookout to dislodge the enemy and then advance to and retake Mount Butler. Shortly after dawn, "A" Company, led by Company Sergeant Major (CSM) Osborn, led a bayonet charge and captured the summit of Mount Butler. Three hours later, when three companies of Japanese troops counterattacked and forced his men to fall back down the western slope of the mountain, CSM Osborn calmly directed protective fire that kept the enemy at bay. Eventually, after CSM Osborn's group joined the rest of "A" Company, the Japanese were able to surround the group. By mid-afternoon, after repelling two Japanese attacks and now facing an ammunition shortage and a growing number of casualties, the company commander, Major A.B. Gresham, decided to surrender and stood in the open with a white flag. He was immediately shot down by the Japanese, who began throwing grenades at the "A" Company position. CSM Osborn picks up several and sends them back to the enemy. However, one of the grenades lands in a place where Osborn cannot retrieve it in time. Giving a warning shout as he pushes one of his men aside, he lunges at the grenade, which explodes and kills him instantly.
When CSM Osborn's leadership and sacrifice on this occasion were highlighted after the defeat of Japan, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
To commemorate his sacrifice, the Manitoba government named Osborn Creek located on the Driftwood River in his honor in 1973 and John Osborn Lake located east of Nuelton Lake in 1986.
Digital gallery of Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
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Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Digital gallery of
Warrant Officer Class II John Robert Osborn
Image gallery
In the Books of Remembrance
Commemorated on:
Page 40 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance.
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SAI WAN MEMORIAL Victoria, Hong Kong
This SAI WAN MEMORIAL honours over 2,000 men of the land forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who died in the defence of Hong Kong during the Second World War.
The SAI WAN MEMORIAL is in the form of a shelter building 24 metres long and 5.5 metres wide. It stands at the entrance to Sai Wan Bay War Cemetery, outside Victoria, the capital of Hong Kong. From the semi-circular forecourt, two wide openings lead to the interior of the building. The names are inscribed on panels of Portland stone. The dedicatory inscription reads:
1939 - 1945 The officers and men whose memory is honoured here died in the defence of Hong Kong in December 1941 and in the ensuing years of captivity and have no known grave.
The northern side of the Memorial is open and four granite piers support the copper roof. From a commanding position 305 metres above sea level, it looks out over the War Cemetery where some 1,500 men lie buried, and across the water to Mainland China - a magnificent view of sea and mountains.
The Cape Collinson area has many cemeteries. Walking up this narrow one-way traffic road, one will pass the Catholic Cemetery situated on the hillside to the left of the road, and the Hong Kong Military Cemetery on the right. Sai Wan War Cemetery is about half way up Cape Collinson Road and faces the Muslim and Buddhist cemeteries.
One can also get a taxi from Chai Wan Terminus and follow the same route. Alternatively, one can board a public light bus, Route No.16M, which runs from Chai Wan MTR Terminus to Stanley. En route to Stanley the minibus will pass Sai Wan War Cemetery.
For more information, visit Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
The Poppy Design is a trademark of The Royal Canadian Legion (Dominion Command) and is used with permission. Click here to learn more about the poppy.
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