Bruce Kingsbury

Bruce Kingsbury
Bruce Kingsbury (1918–1942) was an Australian soldier of the Second World War. After serving in the Middle East, he gained renown for his actions during the Battle of Isurava, one of many battles of the Kokoda Track campaign in New Guinea. His bravery was recognised with the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration for gallantry "in the face of the enemy" that can be awarded to members of the British and Commonwealth armed forces. Kingsbury was a member of the 2/14th Infantry Battalion. During the Battle of Isurava, he was one of the few survivors of a platoon that had been overrun by the Japanese. He immediately volunteered to join a different platoon, which had been ordered to counterattack. Rushing forward and firing his Bren gun from the hip, he cleared a path through the enemy and inflicted several casualties. Kingsbury was then seen to fall, shot by a Japanese sniper and killed instantly. His actions, which delayed the Japanese long enough for the Australians to fortify their positions, were instrumental in saving the battalion headquarters. He was the first serviceman to receive the Victoria Cross for actions in Australian territory.