Capt Tony Kingshill, MC, RCEME

Capt Tony Kingsmill, MC 1945
Kingsmill Commemoration 12 May 2007
Tony Kingsmill at the Kingsmill Bridge Monument, Sant' Angelo, Italy

Captain Hugh Anthony Gault "Tony" Kingsmill was born Toronto, Ontario, one of four brothers. He attended Upper Canada College and graduated from the University of Toronto in Chemical Engineering in 1941. After working a shot time with Alcan in Arvida, Quebec, Tony enlisted and went overseas in 1942 with the Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME). He landed in Italy with the 14th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Calgary Tank Regiment) and fought through Italy and Holland.

He was awarded the Military Cross as a result of his bravery during the Gari River Crossing near Cassino described at Sapper Gallantry in the Liri Valley  After returning from the war, Tony married .and settled in Montreal. He rejoined Alcan and spent 27 dedicated years working in many interesting positions. In 1967, work moved his family to Vancouver. Tony fell in love with the ocean and mountains. For a keen sailor, skier and fisherman, BC was a perfect fit and he never looked back. Tony spent many happy years skiing in Whistler and cruising the coast with family and friends. 

In 2007, Tony accompanied members of the Calgary Regiment and local dignitaries of Sant' Angelo to the site of the original Kingsmill Bridge.  The Calgary Regiment was the first Allied unit into the village and hold the unit in high regard.  So much so that a plaque was dedicated to the Kingsmill Bridge and the soldiers who fought for their freedom.  A permanent marble monument incorporating the first bronze plaque was unveiled in 2012 very near the site of the crossing. Dedicated to Lt. Al Cawsey, commander of the first Calgary tank across the river, the monument pays tribute to the Kingsmill Bridge and the accomplishments of the 1st Canadian Armoured Brigade in the breakthrough of the Gustav Line.

Captain Hugh Anthony Gault Kingsmill died in Vancouver on 19 May 2010. He was interviewed by the RCEME Museum. Click here to listen to the interview.

Citation

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, cooly 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.