Gosse, George

Date of birth:: February 16th, 1912 (Harvey, Western Australia)
Date of death:: December 31st, 1965
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

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George Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: Enemy Mines Section, HMS Vernon, Chatham, Royal Navy
Awarded on:: April 30th, 1946

Citation:
"On the 8th May, 1945, divers searching Ubersee Hafen reported the presence of a mine which from their description appeared to be an entirely new type. Lieutenant Gosse immediately dived and verified the fact that it was a GD pressure type which was commonly known as "Oyster." As it was very necessary that this type of mine should be recovered intact it was decided to attempt to render safe the mine underwater and on the following day May 8th Lieutenant Gosse dived on it again. Using improvised tools he eventually succeeded in removing the primer which was followed by a loud metallic crash. The mine was eventually lifted on the quayside when it was found that the detonator had fired immediately .the primer had been removed. During the subsequent ten days Lieutenant Gosse rendered safe two similar types of mines which were lying in close proximity to shipping and in each instance the detonator fired before the mine reached the surface.

This form of operation called for exceptionally high standard of personal courage and also a high degree of skill. The conditions were always arduous and were combined with the presence of known mines in the docks and with all forms of underwater obstruction human corpses which together with lack of visibility produced a set of conditions which would deter the boldest.

This officer displayed courage and zeal far in excess of the usual course of duty and contributed greatly to the success of a most difficult and important operation."