Posted By:	Daniel Leahy
	Email:
	Subject:	Pte Bruce Steel Kingsbury, VC, Australian Army (KIA 1942)
	Post Date:	September 18, 2008 at 15:59:21
	Message URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/kingsbury/messages/859.html
	Forum:	Kingsbury Family Genealogy Forum
	Forum URL:	http://genforum.genealogy.com/kingsbury/

Hi All, I am writing to advise I have a photo of the grave of Pte Bruce Steel Kingsbury who was awarded the Victoria Cross while serving with the Australian Army in 1942. According the the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, he was the "Son of Philip Blencowe Kingsbury and Florence Annie Kingsbury, of Northcote, Victoria." Pte Kingsbury is now buried at the Bomana War Cemetery, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. His citation reads "In the Isavura area, New Guinea, in August 1942 the battalion to which Pte. Kingsbury belonged had been holding a position for two days against continuous and fierce attacks. On August 29th the enemy broke through on the right flank, creating a serious threat to the battalion and its headquarters. It was essential to regain the lost ground immediately, and Pte. Kingsbury, one of the few survivors of his platoon, volunteered to join another platoon ordered to counter-attack. Rushing through terrific machine-gun fire, and firing his bren gun from the hip, he succeeded in clearing a path through the enemy, inflicting an extremely high number of casualties; but was seen to fall, shot dead by a sniper. Pte. Kingsbury displayed a complete disregard for his own safety. His initiative and superb courage made possible the re-capture of the position, which undoubtedly saved battalion headquarters as well as causing heavy casualties among the enemy. His coolness, determination and devotion to duty in the face of great odds were an inspiration to his comrades." If anyone would like a digital copy of this photo, please feel free to E-Mail me. Kind regards, Daniel Leahy Pacific Ghosts - Project PRIAM http://www.pacificghosts.com.au/priam/