James Osborne

Who was James Osborne?

James Osborne VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Osborne was 23 years old, and a private in the 2nd Battalion, The Northamptonshire Regiment, British Army during the First Boer War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 22 February 1881 at Wesselstroom, South Africa, Private Osborne rode out under heavy fire, picked up a private who was lying wounded and carried him safely into camp. His citation read:

For his gallant conduct at Wesselstroom, on the 22nd February, 1881, in riding, under a heavy fire, towards a party of 42 Boers, picking up Private Mayes, who was lying wounded, - and carrying him safely into camp.

His VC was destroyed in the Belfast Blitz in 1941.