Bruce Kingsbury Scholarship

The suburb of Kingsbury is named after a former resident of the Preston area, Bruce Kingsbury, who was awarded a Victoria Cross for his deeds at the Battle of Isurava in 1942. Bruce was a member of the 2/14th Battalion, which, after the end of the war in 1945, formed an Association to provide for the welfare of those who had fought in the Battalion, as well as their widows and children.

The 2/14th Battalion Association has awarded a scholarship to a Year 10 student at Reservoir High School since 2002. It has a value of $1000 and is used to assist students in the pursuit of their academic studies in the final two years of secondary schooling.

The applicants were required to research the deeds of Bruce Kingsbury and his comrades, focusing on the human values displayed by these soldiers during the time of the Battle of Isurava.

The applicants were then required to develop a presentation that reflects the information obtained during their research. This year we had many outstanding applicants, where the 2/14th Battalion Association selected Abdelmumen Nakoa as the winner for 2023.

Lest we forget. The Australian soldiers of world war two. Who fought in mud with no shoes. Disease and hardship they had faced. But the Australian people will not let their efforts go to waste. For liberty and freedom they had fought. To protect our people from Japanese onslaught.

Lest we forget. The cold cold  rainy night  and the silent forest what a sight,, the moon shining like a diamond, when the Japanese entered Watom island. The Japanese had started a battle that was too easy you see, the Australian soldiers, outnumbered 30 to three. With what little they had, they defended their shores, but far too strong was the Japanese force. You see, the Japanese men were heading for port Moresby, where they could control the Australian troops assuredly. Nonchalant heading through the Kadoka track. But  courage and bravery our soldiers did not lack. A tough life as a soldier, constant distress, but surely did the soldiers greatly impress. Standing strongly yet so diseased, protecting their country, made them pleased.  Now came the Japanese oh so many, the Australian soldiers were not ready. Hundreds upon hundreds of Japanese crew, the Australian defense knew they were scr (cover mouth) . The future of Australia the soldiers were underneath, it was now all up to the 2nd fourteenth. Death and injury they did not care for, for the Australian defence they must restore. Even those who were shot before they arrived and were left hurt, got up to fight. For enemy troops did not instill fright. This gave the soldiers such a smile, they needed all the troops they were able to compile. With the Australian army now united, they fought back strong, their goal decided. Cutting through the Australian defense, came the massive oncoming Japanese offence.  The Japanese turned the tide and headed for the quarters. Troop by troop, order by order. A massive dent was made in the Australian lines. The Japanese army were making deep inclines. For this drop in defense, this little crack opened up the kakoda track. But just when the future looked darker and darker, in came Australia's knight in shining armor. Bruce Kingsbury, pure courage came out equipped, firing a Bren gun from his hip, Pure courage, a hero stride, Bruce Kingsbury was able to turn the tide. For he had sent his enemy to go back, all the way down the kakoda track. But as he paused for a moments time to change his magazine, by a Japanese sniper he was seen. A single shot, so quick, so distant. Ended his life almost instantly.  But it did not matter, for that sniper had not saw, that that single moment had flipped the war. Before disadvantaged, stripped clean of ambitions, Australia was able to refortify its positions. Bruce Kingsbury, saved us that day from a massive loss, and was thus rewarded with the Victorian Cross. His actions will not be in vain, this we know is true, for we all remember this story too. We allow converse, and hold our rights dear, thanks to these young Australian volunteers.  Their misery, their suffering, their intolerable pain.  War places on our hearts an irremovable stain. So remember, and think about their courageous display, next time you have Anzac day. And now I will drop my  act, my rhyme. For I would look  us all to reflect at this time..... Lest we forget, Private Bruce Steel Kingsbury.