Osborn in Hong Kong

This clip comes from:
http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=14743&sl=e
John Robert Osborn, VC (January 2, 1899 December 19, 1941) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross.

Osborn was the first Canadian awarded a Victoria Cross in the Second World War. His was the only Victoria Cross awarded for Battle of Hong Kong.

At Hong Kong on the morning of 19th December 1941 A Company of the Winnipeg Grenadiers to which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn belonged became divided during an attack on Mount Butler, a hill rising steeply above sea level. A part of the Company led by Company Sergeant-Major Osborn captured the hill at the point of the bayonet and held it for three hours when, owing to the superior numbers of the enemy and to fire from an unprotected flank, the position became untenable. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn and a small group covered the withdrawal and when their turn came to fall back, Osborn single-handed engaged the enemy while the remainder successfully rejoined the Company. Company Sergeant-Major Osborn had to run the gauntlet of heavy rifle and machine gun fire. With no consideration for his own safety he assisted and directed stragglers to the new Company position exposing himself to heavy enemy fire to cover their retirement. Whenever danger threatened he was there to encourage his men.

During the afternoon the Company was cut off from the Battalion and completely surrounded by the enemy who were able to approach to within grenade throwing distance of the slight depression which the Company was holding. Several enemy grenades were thrown which Company Sergeant-Major Osborn picked up and threw back. The enemy threw a grenade which landed in a position where it was impossible to pick it up and return it in time. Shouting a warning to his comrades this gallant Warrant Officer threw himself on the grenade which exploded killing him instantly. His self-sacrifice undoubtedly saved the lives of many others.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Victoria Cross
• Battle of Hong Kong
• Winnipeg Grenadiers

[Spazuddles]

That's my great grandfather in-law.

[asdf001997]

@Spazuddles

He's a HERO

[chaklong]

Rofl

[asdf001997]

Osborn was the first Canadian awarded a Victoria Cross in the Second World War. His was the only Victoria Cross awarded for Battle of Hong Kong.

[TheCommentsarestupid]

They got grenades! Grenades! Grenaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaade!

Such an important part of our history as a nation, but not important enough to warrant some decent production values and a decent actor?

[steveosterberg]

@Doodaddaman In fact, they sent the two Canadian units to augment those already stationed there which included Indian units. The error so many people make in assessing the "value" of the units sent there (some say they were poorly trained and without equipment) is that BEFORE December 7th NO-ONE expected the Japanese to attack on December 7th. The idea was that by sending the Canadian units, the Japanese would be deterred from attacking by this show of intent on the part of the British.

[Yoshiki0hk0]

佢係我地香港人既驕傲

[418ringo]

Salute !!!!!

[angelb28]

@Spazuddles

you must be pride of it !!!

[RazorCell7]

Two divisions that = up to 600 men Canadian troops fought with fix bayonts and spades long after they ran out of ammo and still managed to give the best of the Imperial Japanese Army a higher casualties count. By the end 554 men were killed the rest were the severly wounded that left with the British or surrendered.. This proved out dedication to the people of Hong Kong.. God bless Osborn and the rest of the Canadians that died.. The Imperial Japanese Army too cause they were all just soldiers

[stefansmom]

if you want to know more about the canadians during the battle of Hong Kong go get the book called "The Damned" by Nathan M. Greenfield. it's a mind blowing account of the battle and the internment of the canadian troops that survived the battle and fall of hong kong. God Bless them all. His daughter before they were shipped out was baddly scalled by hot water and he never knew if she survived the injuries..those guys deserve to be remembered!!!! Lest We Forget!!

[volunteer1941]

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[ROFLOLAZERS]

HOLY SHIT!

That guy had alot of fucking balls to do that!