George Gosse

George Gosse

Lieutenant George Gosse c.1945
Born (1912-02-16)16 February 1912
Harvey, Western Australia
Died 31 December 1964(1964-12-31) (aged 52)
Maslin Beach, South Australia
Allegiance Australia
Service/branch Royal Australian Navy
Years of service 1926–33
1940–46
Rank Lieutenant Commander
Battles/wars

Second World War

Awards George Cross

George Gosse, GC (16 February 1912 – 31 December 1964) was a mine clearance specialist in the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR) during the Second World War. He was awarded the George Cross for the heroism he displayed between 8 May and 19 May 1945 in Bremen Harbour in Germany. His citation was published in the London Gazette on 30 April 1946.[1]

George Gosse defuses a German mine at Bremen.

Divers searching the Undersee Hafen had reported a sighting of what appeared to be a new form of mine and, on 8 May, Gosse dived and verified that it was a G.D. pressure mine known as the 'oyster'. Gosse was given the task of recovering the device intact and dived the next day to remove the primer, with improvised tools, rendering the device safe. During this procedure he heard a loud noise which, upon examination after the mine was brought to land, was found to have been caused by the detonator firing as the primer was removed. He later defused two similar mines which were posing a danger to shipping, on both occasions the detonator fired before the mine reached the surface.

The George Gosse ward at the former Repatriation General Hospital, Hollywood has been named in his honour.

References

  1. "George Cross". Digger History. Retrieved 2007-11-18.
Jubilee 150 Walkway plaque commemorating WWII heroes
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