Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

61st Light Aid Detachment, 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Calgary Regiment), 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade, 8th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

October 5th, 1944

Recommendation:
From an original idea that a Bailey bridge could be launched across a river from the backs of tanks, Captain Kingsmill was instrumental in the development and construction of such a bridge used during the 12 May 1944 attack across the Gari River on the Gustav Line (Map Reference 863145). As a result of many rehearsals and careful preparation the bridge framework was assembled in daylight under heavy enemy concentrations. Then, at once, under direct observation and subject to intense mortar and machine gun fire Captain Kingsmill, with no thought for his own safety, coolly walked backwards over open ground a distance of 500 yards in front of the tank-borne bridge. He directed it successfully into place at the first attempt. Wounded by an exploding shell, he dauntlessly remained at the river crossing during the final securing of the span. When an enemy counter-attack developed from the opposite side of the river in an effort to dislodge the bridge, he climbed inside one of the two supporting tanks, methodically proceeding to machine gun the German fire positions. Determined to stem the attack, he called for and received artillery support. Not until the counter-attack was beaten off and the bridge was firmly in place did Captain Kingsmill consider leaving to have his wounds attended. His courage and determination were at all times beyond praise. His most gallant action contributed directly in the smashing of the Gustav Line.