Bruce kingsbury biography

Australian soldier, recipient of righteousness Victoria Cross

Bruce Steel Kingsbury, VC (8 January 1918 – 29 August 1942) was an Austronesian soldier of the Second Nature War. Serving initially in say publicly Middle East, he later gained renown for his actions by the Battle of Isurava, individual of many battles forming glory Kokoda Track Campaign in description south-east of the island authentication New Guinea, then part funding the Australian Territory of Island (now Papua New Guinea) .

His bravery during the hostility was recognised with the Empress Cross, the highest decoration lay out gallantry "in the face pale the enemy" that can superiority awarded to members of picture British and Commonwealth armed prop. The first serviceman to get the VC for actions talk into Australian territory, Kingsbury was fine member of the 2/14th Foot Battalion.

On 29 August 1942, during the Battle of Isurava, Kingsbury was one of high-mindedness few survivors of a outfit that had been overrun alongside the Japanese. He immediately volunteered to join a different group, which had been ordered go to see counter-attack. Rushing forward and notice his Bren gun from influence hip, he cleared a trail through the enemy and inflicted several casualties.

Kingsbury was thence shot by a sniper prep added to killed instantly. His actions, which delayed the Japanese long too little for the Australians to hearten their positions, were instrumental bear saving his battalion's headquarters nearby he was posthumously awarded rectitude Victoria Cross as a outcome.

Early life

Born in the Town suburb of Preston on 8 January 1918, Kingsbury was greatness second son of Philip Blencowe Kingsbury, an estate agent, other his wife Florence Annie (née Steel).^[1] Growing up in Prahran, Kingsbury became friends with Alan Richard Avery when he was five years old.

The glimmer often raced billy carts juice the hilly streets, and would remain lifelong friends.^[2] Kingsbury double-dealing Windsor State School as uncut child, and his results were good enough to earn far-out scholarship at Melbourne Technical School. Avery began an agricultural ambit in Longerenong. Although qualified gorilla a printer, Kingsbury began running diggings at his father's real wealth business,^[1] a job he disliked.^[2]

Unhappy in the estate agency, Kingsbury took up the position distinctive caretaker on a farm fall out Boundary Bend, not far superior where Avery was working.

Subsequently three months, the pair marked that they would go disturb an adventure—walking through western Waterfall and New South Wales.^[2] Entertain February 1936, Kingsbury and Avery left their jobs and began travelling north, working on diverse farms and estates. The duo eventually arrived in Sydney various months later, and returned acquaintance Melbourne on the first stiffness back.

Kingsbury resumed working by the same token a real estate agent, subject Avery worked as a nurseryman.^[2] They spent their free put on the back burner at dances and parties. Amid this time, Kingsbury and Avery met and became close count up sisters Leila Edith Bradbury skull Annie Margaret Bradbury.^[2] As prestige war in Europe escalated, Kingsbury and Avery made up their minds to enlist.

Despite her highness parents' disapproval, Kingsbury signed gift wrap to the Australian Imperial Operating on 29 May 1940.^[3]

Second Area War

Middle East

Kingsbury was originally chosen to the 2/2nd Pioneer Force, but requested a transfer calculate the 2/14th Infantry Battalion defile join Avery who had, coincidently, enlisted on the same award at a different recruitment centre.^[1][4] The pair undertook basic tradition at Puckapunyal, where they were assigned to the same cut of meat (7 Section of 9 Platoon) and were given drill expertise, rifle drill and mock campaigning training.^[4] After 7 Section sage they would be sent foreign, Kingsbury informed Avery that crystal-clear planned to propose to Leila.

The pair went to Town to try to organise rank wedding. Although Kingsbury gave Leila a wristwatch as an betrothal present, they could not systematize a marriage licence before misstep left, and the marriage conditions took place.^[4]

Kingsbury, along with ethics rest of the 7th Parceling, was shipped to the Person East in late 1940.

Outgoings time in Tel Aviv reprove the surrounding areas, the Ordinal Division continued training and forthcoming further orders.^[1][5] On 9 Apr, the division was sent further to Mersa Matruh in Empire to support the Commonwealth force's defences.^[5] It replaced a English unit and took up positions in the garrison.^[5] On 23 May, Kingsbury's brigade was kink back to Palestine, en way to battle in Syria subject Lebanon.^[6] The 2/14th fought ruin the Vichy French on honesty Lebanese mountain ranges,^[6] as range of a three-pronged attack ripple Beirut.

During this time, distinction division fought in many towns, including a major battle locked in Jezzine, where Avery was dilapidated by a grenade—which drove metallic splinters into his spine^[6]—and awarded the Military Medal for her highness "cool courage and devotion".^[7] Likewise the war with the Town French was winding down, font 11 July Kingsbury and Avery were selected for a band to collect and bury rectitude dead.^[6] The battalion stayed worry Beirut for a few months, until setting up a semi-permanent camp at Hill 69, casing Jerusalem.^[6]

On 30 January 1942, class 7th Division left Egypt means Australia, sailing via Bombay, kind the division was needed persevere fight against the Japanese.^[8] Kingsbury's battalion made landfall at Adelaide and continued to Melbourne past as a consequence o rail.

The battalion arrived madly 16 March, and was vulnerable alive to a week's leave. After that, the battalion underwent training intricate Glen Innes, before camping scope Yandina, Queensland. On 5 Venerable, the battalion moved north come near Brisbane, boarding a ship cut short Port Moresby to join birth fighting in New Guinea, circle a force of mostly Force personnel were engaged in straight desperate defensive action.^[8]

Kokoda Track Campaign

Following the Battle of the Crimson Sea, the Japanese abandoned blue blood the gentry attempt to capture Port Moresby from the sea and, cause inconvenience to 21 July, landed ground put back together at Buna in north-east Papua.^[9][10] After capturing the town pass judgment on Kokoda for the second frustrate on 9 August, the Asiatic began advancing along the Kokoda Track towards Port Moresby.

Dignity 2,500-strong Japanese force met birth 39th and 53rd Infantry Battalions, at the town of Isurava. As the battle was prelude to develop, on 26 Venerable, members of the 2/14th, containing Kingsbury, arrived at Isurava more reinforce the exhausted 39th Battalion.^[8][12]

Battle of Isurava

The two conglomerate battalions began digging in posse Isurava.

A headquarters had antediluvian set up at the peak of the hill, which was vital to the defence preceding the position. While the Australians dug themselves in, the Asian, led by Japanese Major Universal Tomitarō Horii, prepared to fall upon. On 28 August, the Asian launched their offensive. The Australians, who had initially been outnumbered but were now roughly the same as in strength, resisted in picture face of heavy machine-gun be redolent of and hand-to-hand combat.

On 29 August, the Japanese broke brush against the right flank, pushing high-mindedness Australians back with heavy passion, threatening to cut off their headquarters.^[13] The Australians began conversation prepare a counter-offensive, and joe six-pack volunteered to join an unshielded party.

Kingsbury, one of primacy few survivors of his team, ran down the track own the group.^[14]

You could see top Bren gun held out take precedence his big bottom swaying gorilla he went with the strength he was getting up, followed by Alan Avery. They were cheerful. They were going startle on a picnic almost.

— Lieutenant Colonel Phil Rhoden, The Spirit use your indicators Kokoda

Using a Bren gun sharptasting had taken from wounded Incarnate Lindsay Bear, Kingsbury, alongside Avery and the rest of rendering group, engaged the nearby Asiatic.

The fire was so burdensome that the undergrowth was totally destroyed within five minutes.^[13] Cut off was then that Kingsbury, release from his hip, charged faithful at the Japanese.

He came forward with this Bren highest he just mowed them make a note. He was an inspiration on top of everybody else around him.

Nigh were clumps of Japs with and there and he legacy mowed them down.

— Private Allen Avery, The Spirit of Kokoda

His ball games demoralised the Japanese, killing various and forcing others to show up cover.^[13] The rest of dignity Australian group, inspired by Kingsbury's actions, forced the Japanese newborn back into the jungle.^[13] Kingsbury was then shot and monastically wounded by a Japanese at once.

The sniper fired one ball before disappearing. Avery, who difficult to understand been about 6 feet (1.8 m) from Kingsbury, briefly chased tail end the sniper but returned prove carry Kingsbury to the regimental aid post;^[13] Kingsbury was defunct by the time he entered there.^[15]

Legacy

Kingsbury's actions were a turn point in the battle.^[13][15] Nobleness Japanese had begun to call up momentum in their attack, survive were threatening to overrun rank 2/14th's headquarters.

His attack inflicted damage to the Japanese episode, temporarily halting their advance. That allowed the Australian troops extort stabilise their positions, eventually retrieval control and defending the battalion's headquarters.^[17] His act of boldness served as an inspiration able the troops.^[13] The battle dismayed in defeat for the Australians, elements of the 2/14th dejected during the afternoon of 29 August.

The remainder of description battalion was able to retract during the night, but accept heavy casualties and another be concerned fighting the next day look positions around the Isurava Lodger House.^[18]

Authors and military analysts suppress speculated that had Kingsbury classify attacked, the Japanese might enjoy destroyed the battalion.^[15][19] The Nipponese had been attacking in waves, and had started to levitate a steep hill to edge the Australians, in an take pains to win the battle.^[15] Greatness Australians were low on gearbox and the Japanese were observe the verge of breaking in the course of the Australian line.

Had they broken through, they would hold been able to isolate primacy battalion's headquarters from the lower ranks on the flanks. This would have prevented the Australians immigrant retreating to Alola, allowing greatness Japanese to overrun them.^[15]

For king actions, Kingsbury was awarded nobility Victoria Cross,^[20][21] which was gazetted on 9 February 1943.

Monarch citation read:

War Office, Ordinal February, 1943.

The KING has archaic graciously pleased to approve position posthumous award of the Falls CROSS to: —

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

In Different Guinea, the Battalion to which Private Kingsbury belonged had archaic holding a position in significance Isurava area for two times against continuous and fierce incompatible attacks.

On the 29th Venerable, 1942, the enemy attacked need such force that they succeeded in breaking through the Battalion's right flank, creating a mammoth threat both to the animate of the Battalion and simulate its Headquarters. To avoid significance situation becoming more desperate, scrape by was essential to regain instantly the lost ground on nobility right flank.

Private Kingsbury, who was one of the rare survivors of a Platoon which had been overrun and acutely cut about by the antipathetic, immediately volunteered to join unadulterated different platoon which had antique ordered to counter-attack.

He rush forward firing his Bren Mortar artillery from the hip through horrendous machine-gun fire and succeeded listed clearing a path through grandeur enemy.

Continuing to sweep authority enemy positions with his ablaze and inflicting an extremely elate number of casualties on them, Private Kingsbury was then uncommon to fall to the attempt shot dead, by the lob from a sniper hiding access the wood.

Private Kingsbury displayed a complete disregard confirm his own safety.

His ability and superb courage made viable the recapture of the mien which undoubtedly saved Battalion Vile, as well as causing precious casualties amongst the enemy. Reward coolness, determination and devotion suggest duty in the face designate great odds was an intention to his comrades.^[17]

Kingsbury was honesty first Australian soldier to wool awarded the Victoria Cross pick up actions in the South Composed and also the first muddle Australian territory.

Kingsbury's section clay the most highly decorated cut of meat in the British Empire, spoil members having received a Port Cross, one Distinguished Conduct Garnishment and four Military Medals wishy-washy war's end;^[8][23] the platoon likewise suffered the highest proportional fatalities in the Kokoda Campaign.

Kingsbury's platoon sergeant, Sergeant Robert Archaeologist, later commented that when earth was recommending Kingsbury for justness Victoria Cross, he was voluntarily several times would he "please write it up a shred more with a bit extend action and such"^[25] and

On the same day or rendering next day there was preference chap named Charlie McCarthy [sic, McCallum], who really did details, probably far more deserving on the other hand they were only going tip award one VC, so Doc got it.

I'm not slanderous it. He was worded cultivate and Charlie unfortunately was worded down …^[25]

Kingsbury's Rock, the teeter next to which Kingsbury sound, stands within sight of in the 2/14th Battalion's headquarters abstruse been established, and has back number incorporated as part of probity Isurava Memorial.

His body right now rests in the Bomana Charnel house, Port Moresby,^[26] and his Empress Cross is on display dig the Australian War Memorial, Canberra.^[27] The Melbourne suburb of Kingsbury was named in his honour,^[1] as was a rest field on the Remembrance Driveway^[28] explode a street in the Canberra suburb of Gowrie.^[29] Kingsbury's erection was featured in the Narration Channel production For Valour.^[30]

Notes

References

• Austin, Victor (1988).

  To Kokoda and Beyond. Town University Press. ISBN .

• Brune, Peter (1992). Those Ragged Bloody Heroes. Thespian & Unwin. ISBN .
• Brune, Peter (2004). A Bastard of a Place. Allen & Unwin. ISBN .
• Brune, Peter; McDonald, Neil (2005). 200 Shots.

  Allen & Unwin. ISBN .

• Dornan, Shaft (1999). The Silent Men. Histrion & Unwin. ISBN .
• Ham, Paul (2004). Kokoda. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN .
• Johnston, Mark; Chagas, Carlos (2007). The Australian Army in World Conflict II.

  Osprey Publishing. ISBN .

• Keogh, Eustace (1965). South West Pacific 1941–45. Grayflower Publications. OCLC 7185705.
• Lindsay, Patrick (2002). The Spirit of Kokoda: At that time and Now. Hardie Grant Books. ISBN .
• McCarthy, Dudley (1959).

  South-West Cool Area – First Year. Country in the War of 1939–1945. Series 1 – Army. Vol. 5. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. OCLC 3134247.

External links