Bruce Steel Kingsbury Memorial
Dandenong Ranges National Park FERNTREE GULLY, KNOX CITY
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Statement of Significance
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Veterans Description for Public
Bruce Steel Kingsbury Memorial - Veterans Description for Public
The Bruce Steel Kingsbury Memorial commemorates the life of Kingsbury, who was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his heroic actions against the Japanese on the Kokoda track, at the Battle of Isurava in March 1942. The memorial plaque rests on the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Kingsbury was part of the 2nd/14th Battalion which was significantly outnumbered by Japanese forces who were attacking the battalion's positions. On March 29th, the Japanese threatened to take the Australians' headquarters when Kingsbury launched an attack shooting a Bren gun and single -handedly killing thirty Japanese soldiers. As Kingsbury continued to inflict fire on the Japanese, allowing the Australians to move forward, he was shot by a single Japanese sniper. He died as he was carried to the Aid site.
Kingsbury's actions are considered a turning point in the Battle of Isurava which meant the Australians were able to secure the defence of their Headquarters and halt the Japanese destruction of the battalion. He was awarded the Victoria Cross on Feburary 9th 1943, which his family received on his behalf. It was the first Victoria Cross to be awarded to a soldier in the Pacific and the first awarded on Australian Territory.
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Nottinghill Avenue of HonourVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Kokoda Track Memorial WalkVic. War Heritage Inventory
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Damien Parer MemorialVic. War Heritage Inventory
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