Top 10 Amazing Facts about Bruce Kingsbury.

Private Bruce Steel Kingsbury. Photo by Australian War Memorial collection. Wikimedia Commons.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Bruce Kingsbury.

Bruce Steel Kingsbury was born on the 8th of January 1918 Melbourne suburb of Preston. He was an Australian soldier who served during the second world war.

He was a member of the 2/14th infantry battalion and served at the Kokoda Track Campaign of New Guinea and the Australian Territory of Papua.

He was honored with the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions that delayed the Japanese while the Australians fortified their positions which was key to saving his battalion’s headquarters.  

He was the first serviceman to receive the honor on Australian territory. He was sadly shot a killed in Isurava on the 29th of August 1942. Here are 10 amazing facts about Bruce Kingsbury:

1. Kingsbury fought in the second world war

Bruce joined the Australian army to fifth in the war after it escalated in Europe. He first Signed up for the Australian Imperial Force which was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II.

  He was assigned to the 2/14th Battalion and fought in the Australian Territory of Papua against the Japanese until his untimely death. He was a loyal brave soldier who made his country proud

2. He was initially in the pioneer battalion

The 9th platoon 2/14th battalion. Photo by Not stated. Wikimedia Commons.

Kingsbury was originally assigned to the 2/2nd Pioneer Battalion after he enlisted to join the army but requested a transfer to the 2/14th Infantry Battalion when he learned Avery who had enlisted on the same day. 

His battalion fought against the Vichy French on the Lebanese mountain ranges and in the battle at Jezzine. Kingsbury’s battalion then boarded a ship to Port Moresby to join the fighting in New Guinea.

3. Bruce was awarded the Victoria Cross

A Victoria Cross. Photo by Arghya1999. Wikimedia Commons.

The Victoria Cross is the highest award bestowed on individuals who showcase velour in the presence of the enemy.

It is the most prestigious award of the British honors system awarded to members of the British Armed Forces for bravery and honor.

Bruce Kingsbury was awarded one Distinguished Conduct Medal and four Military Medals by the war’s end but the most esteemed award was the Victoria cross.

He was the first Australian soldier awarded this medal for actions in the South Pacific and also the first on Australian territory

4. He was killed by a sniper

At the Battle at Isurava of the Australians Against the Japanese Bruce Kingsbury was assassinated.

The soldier who was one of the few survivors of his platoon had volunteered to join the counter-attack on the Japanese that they had launched which threatened the headquarters as they were gaining too much ground.

Kingsbury had come forward with his Bren mowing down clumps of japs here and there releasing so much firepower he inspired the other soldiers to join in and drive the Japanese back.

He sadly was shot and mortally wounded by a Japanese Snipper who fired one shot before disappearing leaving Bruce on the ground.

Alan Avery who had been six feet away chased after the snipper but soon returned to carry Bruce to the regimental aid post. Bruce Kingsbury died by the time he arrived at the post.

5. He enlisted to fight in the war with his childhood friend Avery

Bruce Steel Kingsbury was born in Preston as the second son of Philip and Florence steel.

He grew up in Prahran where he became friends with Alan Avery at the age of five. The two often played together racing billy carts down the hilly streets.

Bruce attended Windsor state school and then Melbourne Technical College after his scholarship.

He worked with his father before he took up another job as a farm caretaker which was close to Avery’s. In February 1936 the two left their jobs and traveled north working on various farms and estates.

They later returned to Melbourne, Bruce as a real estate agent and Avery as a Nurseryman.

The war in Europe was escalating when Kingsbury and Avery made up their minds to enlist. On 29 May 1940, Bruce signed up for the Australian Imperial Force Despite his parents’ disapproval.

6. He almost got married

After completing school at the Melbourne Technical College where he had attained a scholarship to attend Bruce joined his father in his real estate business a job he disliked.

He then took a position close to his friend Avery where he was the caretaker of Boundary bend farm.

The two Left their jobs after three months to fulfill their dream of taking an adventure and walking through Western Vitoria and New South Wales.

They traveled for several to Sydney before taking the first train back to Melbourne.

Bruce resumed Real Estate spending his free time at dances and parties during this time met and became close to Leila Bradbury. As the war escalated he enlisted and joined the army.

After training was complete Bruce learned they were to be sent overseas. He immediately made Avery aware of his plans to wed Leila.

The two went to Melbourne to try to organize the wedding after Kingsbury gave Leila a wristwatch as an engagement present.

The wedding did not take place as they could not arrange a marriage license before he left

7. His military technique led to the victory of his battalion

The family of Bruce Kingsbury.Photo by Unknown author. Wikimedia Commons.

The 39th and 2/14th battalions combined forces and began digging in around Isurava after the 2/14th arrived to aid in the battle.

The headquarters was set on the top of the hill as a vital defense position and planned their attack as they were no longer outnumbered.

On 29 August, the Japanese attacked breaking through the right flank and pushing the Australians back with heavy fire.

The Australians quickly prepare a counter-offensive where men volunteered to join the attacking party.

Bruce ran down the track with the group with his Bren gun. He charged at the nearby Japanese with cheerful momentum using the Bren gun he had taken from wounded Corporal Lindsay Bear and his friend Alan Avery.

They engaged in heavy fire that the undergrowth was destroyed in five minutes.

  Kingsbury firing from his hip charged at the Japanese with bravery and valor that demoralized the Japanese killing several and forcing others to find cover.

He inspired the other soldiers to follow suit forcing the Japanese further back into the jungle.

8. There is a rock under his name in the Isurava Memorial

 The Isurava Memorial is a memorial park dedicated to one of the most desperate battles in Australian history at Isurava Papua New Guinea Highlands. 

The Australian Government Commissioned the production and design of the memorial park to coincide with the 6oth anniversary of the event.

The memorial park that attracts visitors because of the four black pillars honoring the Kokoda trail fighters also contains Kingsbury’s rock.

This is the rock that Kingsbury died next to when he was assassinated in Isurava. It is within sight of where the 2/14 Battalions headquarters had been established that has been preserved to honor the troop

9. He worked at the Kokoda Track campaign

Grave of Private Kingsbury at the Kokoda War Cemetery. Photo by Not stated. Wikimedia Commons.

The Kokoda Track campaign was part of the Pacific War in World War II that took place in the Australian Territory of Papua now known as Papua New Guinea.

It consisted of a series of battles fought between July to November 1942.

After the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese abandoned their attempt to capture Port Moresby and redirected their forces to Buna in the North East region of Papua. 

The Japanese recaptured Kokoda again and began their march to Port Moresby along the Kokoda Track. 

They battled the 34th and 53rd battalions with force and brutality. Kingsbury together with the 2/14th battalion arrived at Isurava to aid the beaten down 39th battalion at the Kokoda Trail battle.

10. Bruce was featured in a History Channel production

The story of The Australian Victoria Cross Heroes was documented by the History channel and released on the 18th of April 2009.

The documentary showcases the inspirational stories that commemorate their actions during the time of war.

The story begins from the rest stops along the Remembrance Driveway route between Sydney and Canberra exploring the heroic actions the veterans partook in.

The production honors the duties and sacrificial acts of valor from the First and Boer Wars and as far back as the Indian Mutiny of 1857.

Bruce Kingsbury’s story was featured in this documentary as he was the first serviceman to receive the Victoria Cross and bring pride and joy to the country.