1 Worcestershire had threaded their way through the battered village of Gilrath and formed up in a depression in front of it. Lieutenant-Colonel R.E. Osborne Smith, a rifle slung over his shoulder, moved amongst the troops. He had a word and a smile for everyone. Indeed, at no time in the campaign did his normal composure or quiet courtesy to all ranks ever desert him. At 2 p.m. he gave the order to advance.[8]
A few minutes later, Osborne-Smith was severely wounded by a shell splinter in the leg, and he had to be evacuated.[8]
He was awarded a DSO in March 1945 (when his place of residence was given as Tettenhall, Staffordshire)[5] and retired as a Brigadier on 19 July 1960.[9]