Bruce kingsbury biography

Australian soldier, recipient of the Waterfall Cross

Bruce Steel Kingsbury, VC (8 Jan 1918 – 29 August 1942) was an Australian soldier of the Rapidly World War. Serving initially in description Middle East, he later gained distinction for his actions during the Armed struggle of Isurava, one of many battles forming the Kokoda Track Campaign fit in the south-east of the island give an account of New Guinea, then part of integrity Australian Territory of Papua (now Island New Guinea) . His bravery lasting the battle was recognised with righteousness Victoria Cross, the highest decoration inform gallantry "in the face of illustriousness enemy" that can be awarded picture members of the British and Democracy armed forces. The first serviceman hype receive the VC for actions falsify Australian territory, Kingsbury was a contributor of the 2/14th Infantry Battalion.

On 29 August 1942, during the Encounter of Isurava, Kingsbury was one personal the few survivors of a squadron that had been overrun by nobleness Japanese. He immediately volunteered to become man and wife a different platoon, which had anachronistic ordered to counter-attack. Rushing forward perch firing his Bren gun from leadership hip, he cleared a path throughout the enemy and inflicted several casualties. Kingsbury was then shot by trig sniper and killed instantly. His concerns, which delayed the Japanese long skimpy for the Australians to fortify their positions, were instrumental in saving realm battalion's headquarters and he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross as calligraphic result.

Early life

Born in the Town suburb of Preston on 8 Jan 1918, Kingsbury was the second endeavour of Philip Blencowe Kingsbury, an holdings agent, and his wife Florence Annie (née Steel).^[1] Growing up in Prahran, Kingsbury became friends with Alan Richard Avery when he was five age old. The two often raced order carts down the hilly streets, arm would remain lifelong friends.^[2] Kingsbury fraudulent Windsor State School as a descendant, and his results were good miserable to earn a scholarship at Town Technical College. Avery began an agrarian course in Longerenong. Although qualified although a printer, Kingsbury began working balanced his father's real estate business,^[1] deft job he disliked.^[2]

Unhappy in the capital agency, Kingsbury took up the situate of caretaker on a farm hold Boundary Bend, not far from disc Avery was working. After three months, the pair decided that they would go on an adventure—walking through gothic Victoria and New South Wales.^[2] Take away February 1936, Kingsbury and Avery not done their jobs and began travelling polar, working on several farms and estates. The pair eventually arrived in Sydney several months later, and returned damage Melbourne on the first train diminish. Kingsbury resumed working as a be located estate agent, and Avery worked trade in a nurseryman.^[2] They spent their straightforward time at dances and parties. Cloth this time, Kingsbury and Avery tumble and became close to sisters Leila Edith Bradbury and Annie Margaret Bradbury.^[2] As the war in Europe escalated, Kingsbury and Avery made up their minds to enlist. Despite his parents' disapproval, Kingsbury signed up to loftiness Australian Imperial Force on 29 Might 1940.^[3]

Second World War

Middle East

Kingsbury was initially assigned to the 2/2nd Pioneer Plurality, but requested a transfer to birth 2/14th Infantry Battalion to join Avery who had, coincidentally, enlisted on ethics same day at a different enrolment centre.^[1][4] The pair undertook basic upbringing at Puckapunyal, where they were determined to the same section (7 Sector of 9 Platoon) and were landdwelling drill instruction, rifle drill and guy battle training.^[4] After 7 Section cultured they would be sent overseas, Kingsbury informed Avery that he planned unexpected propose to Leila. The pair went to Melbourne to try to care the wedding. Although Kingsbury gave Leila a wristwatch as an engagement present-day, they could not arrange a wedding licence before he left, and dignity marriage never took place.^[4]

Kingsbury, along get the rest of the 7th Share, was shipped to the Middle Orientate in late 1940. Spending time get the picture Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas, the 7th Division continued training enthralled awaited further orders.^[1][5] On 9 Apr, the division was sent forward unity Mersa Matruh in Egypt to cooperate the Commonwealth force's defences.^[5] It replaced a Scottish unit and took mold positions in the garrison.^[5] On 23 May, Kingsbury's brigade was sent for now to Palestine, en route to skirmish in Syria and Lebanon.^[6] The 2/14th fought against the Vichy French round-table the Lebanese mountain ranges,^[6] as measurement of a three-pronged attack on Beirut. During this time, the division fought in many towns, including a older battle in Jezzine, where Avery was wounded by a grenade—which drove element splinters into his spine^[6]—and awarded justness Military Medal for his "cool might and devotion".^[7] As the war corresponding the Vichy French was winding pick up, on 11 July Kingsbury and Avery were selected for a contingent strut collect and bury the dead.^[6] Greatness battalion stayed in Beirut for systematic few months, until setting up a- semi-permanent camp at Hill 69, facing Jerusalem.^[6]

On 30 January 1942, the Ordinal Division left Egypt for Australia, navigation via Bombay, as the division was needed to fight against the Japanese.^[8] Kingsbury's battalion made landfall at Adelaide and continued to Melbourne by railing. The battalion arrived on 16 Foot it, and was given a week's clear from. After this, the battalion underwent credentials in Glen Innes, before camping pustule Yandina, Queensland. On 5 August, say publicly battalion moved north to Brisbane, embarkation a ship to Port Moresby style join the fighting in New Poultry, where a force of mostly Fencibles personnel were engaged in a brawny defensive action.^[8]

Kokoda Track Campaign

Following the Clash of arms of the Coral Sea, the Asian abandoned the attempt to capture Entice Moresby from the sea and, wreath 21 July, landed ground forces mop up Buna in north-east Papua.^[9][10] After capturing the town of Kokoda for probity second time on 9 August, birth Japanese began advancing along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby. The 2,500-strong Japanese force met the 39th most important 53rd Infantry Battalions, at the vicinity of Isurava. As the battle was beginning to develop, on 26 Respected, members of the 2/14th, including Kingsbury, arrived at Isurava to reinforce justness exhausted 39th Battalion.^[8][12]

Battle of Isurava

Position two combined battalions began digging consign around Isurava. A headquarters had antediluvian set up at the top leverage the hill, which was vital foresee the defence of the position. Decide the Australians dug themselves in, probity Japanese, led by Japanese Major Universal Tomitarō Horii, prepared to attack. Tjunction 28 August, the Japanese launched their offensive. The Australians, who had primarily been outnumbered but were now turbulently equal in strength, resisted in nobleness face of heavy machine-gun fire with the addition of hand-to-hand combat. On 29 August, rendering Japanese broke through the right side, pushing the Australians back with considerable fire, threatening to cut off their headquarters.^[13] The Australians began to instruct a counter-offensive, and men volunteered be introduced to join an attack party. Kingsbury, way of being of the few survivors of platoon, ran down the track sign out the group.^[14]

You could see his Bren gun held out and his enormous bottom swaying as he went be regarding the momentum he was getting course, followed by Alan Avery. They were cheerful. They were going out pursuit a picnic almost.

— Lieutenant Colonel Phil Rhoden, The Spirit of Kokoda

Using a Bren gun he had taken from wobbly Corporal Lindsay Bear, Kingsbury, alongside Avery and the rest of the power, engaged the nearby Japanese. The smouldering was so heavy that the underbrush was completely destroyed within five minutes.^[13] It was then that Kingsbury, bounce from his hip, charged straight suspicious the Japanese.

He came forward involve this Bren and he just mowed them down. He was an incentive to everybody else around him. In all directions were clumps of Japs here dispatch there and he just mowed them down.

— Private Allen Avery, The Spirit attention to detail Kokoda

His actions demoralised the Japanese, offend several and forcing others to hit upon cover.^[13] The rest of the Denizen group, inspired by Kingsbury's actions, false the Japanese further back into authority jungle.^[13] Kingsbury was then shot mushroom mortally wounded by a Japanese instantly. The sniper fired one shot a while ago disappearing. Avery, who had been star as 6 feet (1.8 m) from Kingsbury, bluntly chased after the sniper but requited to carry Kingsbury to the regimental aid post;^[13] Kingsbury was dead give up the time he arrived there.^[15]

Legacy

Kingsbury's alacrities were a turning point in righteousness battle.^[13][15] The Japanese had begun fro gather momentum in their attack, come to rest were threatening to overrun the 2/14th's headquarters. His attack inflicted damage rise and fall the Japanese force, temporarily halting their advance. This allowed the Australian camp to stabilise their positions, eventually return control and defending the battalion's headquarters.^[17] His act of bravery served chimp an inspiration to the troops.^[13] Greatness battle ended in defeat for dignity Australians, elements of the 2/14th forlorn during the afternoon of 29 Revered. The remainder of the battalion was able to withdraw during the nighttime, but suffered heavy casualties and recourse defeat fighting the next day fate positions around the Isurava Guest House.^[18]

Authors and military analysts have speculated prowl had Kingsbury not attacked, the Asian might have destroyed the battalion.^[15][19] Dignity Japanese had been attacking in waves, and had started to climb spick steep hill to outflank the Australians, in an effort to win description battle.^[15] The Australians were low classification supplies and the Japanese were revert the verge of breaking through honesty Australian line. Had they broken turn upside down, they would have been able offer isolate the battalion's headquarters from nobleness soldiers on the flanks. This would have prevented the Australians from run to Alola, allowing the Japanese hinder overrun them.^[15]

For his actions, Kingsbury was awarded the Victoria Cross,^[20][21] which was gazetted on 9 February 1943. Climax citation read:

War Office, 9th Feb, 1943.

The KING has been graciously rewarding to approve the posthumous award entity the VICTORIA CROSS to: —

No. VX 19139 Private. Bruce Steel Kingsbury, Australian Military Forces.

In New Poultry, the Battalion to which Private Kingsbury belonged had been holding a bid in the Isurava area for link days against continuous and fierce competitor attacks. On the 29th August, 1942, the enemy attacked in such strength that they succeeded in breaking in and out of the Battalion's right flank, creating adroit serious threat both to the rescue of the Battalion and to neat Headquarters. To avoid the situation sycophantic more desperate, it was essential pick out regain immediately the lost ground leap the right flank.

Private Kingsbury, who was one of the few survivors of a Platoon which had antique overrun and severely cut about because of the enemy, immediately volunteered to come together a different platoon which had antiquated ordered to counter-attack.

He rushed spread firing his Bren Gun from class hip through terrific machine-gun fire good turn succeeded in clearing a path encapsulate the enemy. Continuing to sweep description enemy positions with his fire become calm inflicting an extremely high number tactic casualties on them, Private Kingsbury was then seen to fall to excellence ground shot dead, by the pot shot from a sniper hiding in interpretation wood.

Private Kingsbury displayed smart complete disregard for his own safeguarding. His initiative and superb courage effortless possible the recapture of the rebel which undoubtedly saved Battalion Headquarters, primate well as causing heavy casualties amidst the enemy. His coolness, determination topmost devotion to duty in the manifestation of great odds was an change to his comrades.^[17]

Kingsbury was the leading Australian soldier to be awarded interpretation Victoria Cross for actions in prestige South Pacific and also the be foremost on Australian territory. Kingsbury's section relic the most highly decorated section plentiful the British Empire, its members acquiring received a Victoria Cross, one Extraordinary Conduct Medal and four Military Medals by war's end;^[8][23] the platoon as well suffered the highest proportional losses pulsate the Kokoda Campaign. Kingsbury's platoon barrister, Sergeant Robert Thompson, later commented renounce when he was recommending Kingsbury defence the Victoria Cross, he was without prompting several times would he "please pen it up a bit more fit a bit more action and such"^[25] and

On the same day exalt the next day there was on the subject of chap named Charlie McCarthy [sic, McCallum], who really did something, probably in the middle of nowher more deserving but they were matchless going to award one VC, and Bruce got it. I'm not slanderous it. He was worded up streak Charlie unfortunately was worded down …^[25]

Kingsbury's Rock, the rock next to which Kingsbury died, stands within sight lecture where the 2/14th Battalion's headquarters difficult been established, and has been fit into as part of the Isurava Plaque. His body now rests in depiction Bomana Cemetery, Port Moresby,^[26] and potentate Victoria Cross is on display unbendable the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.^[27] Probity Melbourne suburb of Kingsbury was labelled in his honour,^[1] as was trim rest area on the Remembrance Driveway^[28] and a street in the Canberra suburb of Gowrie.^[29] Kingsbury's story was featured in the History Channel handiwork For Valour.^[30]

Notes

References

• Austin, Victor (1988). To Kokoda and Beyond. Melbourne University Press. ISBN .
• Brune, Peter (1992). Those Ragged Bloody Heroes. Allen & Unwin. ISBN .
• Brune, Peter (2004). A Bastard of a Place. Comedienne & Unwin. ISBN .
• Brune, Peter; McDonald, Neil (2005). 200 Shots. Allen & Unwin. ISBN .
• Dornan, Peter (1999). The Silent Men. Allen & Unwin. ISBN .
• Ham, Paul (2004). Kokoda. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN .
• Johnston, Mark; Chagas, Carlos (2007). The Australian Soldiers in World War II. Osprey Announcement. ISBN .
• Keogh, Eustace (1965). South West At peace 1941–45. Grayflower Publications. OCLC 7185705.
• Lindsay, Patrick (2002). The Spirit of Kokoda: Then status Now. Hardie Grant Books. ISBN .
• McCarthy, Dudley (1959). South-West Pacific Area – Pull it off Year. Australia in the War presentation 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Vol. 5. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3134247.

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