The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest military decoration awarded
for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed
forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire
territories.
The following is an excerpt from the plaque at the rest area,
and is based on the original citation,
Bruce Steel Kingsbury VC VX19139 Private Bruce Steel KINGSBURY
2/14th Australian Infantry Battalion AIF 29th August, 1942 at
Isurava, Papua
In New Guinea, the Battalion to which Private Kingsbury belonged
had been holding a position in the Isurava area for two days
against continuous and fierce enemy attacks. On 29th August 1942,
the enemy attacked in such force that they succeeded in breaking
through the Battalion's right flank, creating serious threats both
to the rest of the Battalion and to its Headquarters. To avoid the
situation becoming more desperate it was essential to regain
immediately lost ground on the right flank. Private Kingsbury, who
was one of the few survivors of a Platoon which had been overrun
and severely cut about by the enemy, immediately volunteered to
join a different platoon which had been ordered to counter-attack.
He rushed forward firing the Bren gun from his hip through terrific
machine-gun fire and succeeded in clearing a path through the
enemy. Continuing to sweep enemy positions with his fire and
inflicting an extremely high number of casualties on them, Private
Kingsbury was then seen to fall to the ground shot dead by the
bullet from a sniper hiding in the wood. Private Kingsbury
displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. His initiative
and superb courage made possible the recapture of a position which
undoubtedly saved Battalion Headquarters, as well as causing heavy
casualties amongst the enemy. His coolness, determination and
devotion to duty in the face of great odds was an inspiration to
his comrades.
Bruce Steel KINGSBURY was born in Armadale, Melbourne on 8th
January, 1918. He is buried in the Port Moresby (Bomana) War
Cemetery, Papua.
FTF honours go to
McPhan
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