Matt Osborne (RAF airman) explained

Birth Name:Albert Matthew Osborne
Birth Date:1906 10, df=yes
Birth Place:Grimsby, England
Death Place:Malta
Placeofburial:Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta
Nickname:Matt
Allegiance: United Kingdom
Serviceyears:1940 - 1942
Rank:Leading Aircraftman
Servicenumber:1058637
Battles:World War II
Awards: George Cross

Leading Aircraftman Albert Matthew Osborne GC (19 October 1906 – 2 April 1942), known as Matt Osborne,[1] of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was awarded a posthumous George Cross for his "unsurpassed courage and devotion to duty" during German air attacks on Malta.

Among his many acts of valour he made safe torpedoes in burning aircraft, rescued a pilot from a burning plane and worked to rescue trapped airmen amid heavy enemy bombing. He was killed on 2 April 1942 by an explosion while fire fighting in a similarly courageous manner.

He enlisted in the RAF in July 1940.[2]

George Cross citation

His citation was published in the London Gazette on 10 July 1942:[3]

Osborne is buried at the Capuccini Naval Cemetery in Kalkara, Malta.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
  2. http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/OsborneAM.htm George Cross Database Recipient
  3. http://www.rafweb.org/GC_holders.htm GC Holders
  4. http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1704262 Commonwealth War Graves Commission – 1058637 Leading Aircraftman Albert Matthew Osborne GC