GR Osborne Royal Norfolk Regiment

Obituary for GR Osborne

5776910 George Ranworth Osborne of Norwich, died on 19 Apr 2009, aged 91. He was one of the last four known surviving members of The Royal Norfolk Regiment who fought at Kohima.

Born in the Ferry Pub at Horning, George was called up in 1940; he served from then until 1946 with the 1st and 2nd Battalions of The Royal Norfolk Regiment. He was posted for a long time in India. He loved the Army and would enthral his grandchildren with tales of living in roughly made huts and how, during the night, he could hear snakes slithering in the roof above where he slept. He fought at Kohima, that epic battle in May 1944, where the Battalion took severe casualties and which halted the advance of the Japanese in SE Asia. Offered promotion to LCpl just before Kohima, he declined, saying ‘I am only a wartime soldier.’

When he came out of the Army, he still kept regular contact through the TA and was always present at official functions. In civilian life he was a ‘Shoe clicker’ (cutting out the leather on a template) and then a scaffolder. He was an enthusiastic and loyal RBL, Association and Norwich Branch member; and a great character with many an amusing anecdote to tell. He met regularly with other veterans of the D Day landings. He moved to the War Memorial cottages 30 years ago. He remained a strong supporter of The Regiment and was always just happy to be with his mates.

At his funeral, the St Mary and St Margaret Church in Sprowston was filled to overflowing. His coffin, draped with the Union Flag, bore his Royal Norfolk beret.

George will be missed. Pre-deceased by his first wife Ruby in 2001, he is survived by his wife Josie, whom he married in Sep 2002.

JR