Sergeant Major John Osborn & The Battle of Hong Kong

A visitor to Hong Kong Park (in Hong Kong of all places of course) would not help but notice a rather incongruous statue of a soldier, a Canadian soldier standing bayonet fixed facing forward towards some unseen enemy. 

It is a statute in memory of the Canadian soldiers who died defending former British colony in December 1941, more specifically it is a monument in memory to one specific soldier Sergeant Major John Osborn of the Winnipeg Grenadiers. A man who died attempting to defend Hong Kong and who's actions in death came to embody the phrase 'that others may live'.

In conjunction with the December 7th, attack on Pearl Harbor the Japanese Imperial Army and Navy began attacks on US, British and Dutch forces in the Asia Pacific Area. Already hardened from nearly five years of brutal fighting from their 1937 invasion of China, the Japanese quickly gained territory throughout the Pacific.

Short on forces and focused on the defense of the now isolated British Isles  Canada sent two battalions (about 2,000 men) of the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Royal Rifles of Canada to bolster British and Indian forces already garrisoning the territory. The force was so hastily assembled that some of it's vehicles and equipment never arrived. and were left in Manila, Philippines. 

On December 8th, a day after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the assault on Hong Kong was launched by a force of about 20,000 battle experienced Japanese forces. 

It was not surprising that they eventually took control of the territory,  what was surprising that the defenders lasted as long as they did. Outnumbered and out gunned the Canadian and their allies fought with a desperate tenacity. Much of the fighting was done at night and it often degenerated into brutal hand to hand combat. Not the fictional balletic martial arts depicted in Hollywood, but desperate frightened men in the dark swinging rifles as clubs, gouging eyes, smashing in skulls with rocks or your helmet, the men must have wondered what side of hell they had fallen into.

Looking at a map of the Canadian engagements what was even more remarkable was that they were even able to launch localized counterattacks against the larger, more experienced and better equipped Japanese forces. Companies or platoons (approx 150 or 40 men respectively) leaving the relative safety of their prepared positions attempting to push the invaders back or catch them off guard in order to buy time; a day, or even a few precious hours for their friends to make their way south. 

The Canadians were getting their battle experience by learning on the job. 

CSM Osborn and a group of his soldiers of A Company, Winnipeg Grenadiers were cut off and fighting for their lives. After staying back to cover a withdrawal Osborn rejoined his soldiers, as the advancing Japanese forces again closed in several grenades were thrown at the  soldiers taking cover with CSM Osborn. 

Ordering his men to keep down, Sgt Maj, Osborn managed to throw back several of the grenades until one fell out of reach, at that point CSM John Roger Osborn threw himself on the grenade to save his men and as a result lost his life. 

In total 557 Canadians died for Hong Kong; 290 in the battle itself, and the rest perishing in the brutality of Japanese prison or forced labour camps. 

The Good Book say's 'greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends'. Sgt Maj Osborn was truly then a loving man. 

Awarded the Commonwealth's highest award for Valour his citation reads:

**** "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.

Company Sergeant-Major Osborn was an inspiring example to all throughout the defence which he assisted so magnificently in maintaining against an overwhelming enemy force for over eight and a half hours and in his death he displayed the highest quality of heroism and self-sacrifice." ****

Canadians were fortunate to have men like Sergeant Major John Robert Osborn who were willing to give all for our freedom and the freedom of others. Canada is still fortunate that today we have others like CSM Osborn who still wear the uniform and who hope never to be asked but stand ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for ourselves and others.