Bruce, Arthur Ernest (46)
Place of Birth: Port Melbourne, VIC
Age: 21 years 7 months
Enlistment Details: Wednesday, 9 February 1916 – Melbourne, VIC
Service Number: 46 view online service record
Address:
79 Alfred Street
Port Melbourne, VIC
Next of Kin:
David Bruce (father)
79 Alfred Street
Port Melbourne, VIC
Embarkation Details:
Date: Saturday, 27 May 1916
Ship: HMAT Ascanius A11
Port: Melbourne, VIC
Unit: 39th Infantry Battalion
Fate:
DOW: Thursday, 9 May 1918
Place: France
Lieutenant, 39 Infantry, died of wounds, 9 May, 1918, age 23, Querrieu British Cemetery, Querrieu, France.
Parents: David and Amy BRUCE, born Port Melbourne. Bruce enlisted with his father at 79 Alfred Street, embarked with the rank of Sergeant, later promoted to Lieutenant. Died from gunshot wounds to the back and both legs at the 11 Australian Field Ambulance. His mother was still in Alfred Street when the circular was returned in 1928. A Death Notice, Port Melbourne Standard, 25 May 1918 notes no less than seven sisters and four brothers.
Additional research by Brian Membrey
1916 ‘ANXIOUS TO SERVE.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 19 February, p. 4, viewed 31 January, 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91163989
A Bruce was listed on the Swimming Club Roll of Honour, 25 November 1916.
1916 ‘ROLL OF HONOR.’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 25 November, p. 2. , viewed 04 Nov 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91164781
1918 ‘Family Notices’, Port Melbourne Standard (Vic. : 1914 – 1920), 25 May, p. 2. , viewed 17 Apr 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88368782
2 Comments
Brian Membrey
“I knew 2nd Lieut. Bruce in the 39th. He was Lewis Gun Officer and had been visiting the guns in the front line between Mericourt and Treaux, right of the Ancre some time May last and was walking back to the front line to Battalion Headquarters with his batman along the road, when a shell got him and damaged him very badly. I heard he had both his legs broken, but I don’t know definitely. I only saw him being carried off. He was carried to the Dressing Station (our 39th Regt. Aid Post) and I heard that he had died there shortly after. I know no details of his burial but he would have been buried close by, as we never lost our ground there”. (Sgt. Richard R. Northcott, 198, 39th Battn)
Brian Membrey
BRUCE. — A token of respect and esteem to the memory of our late secretary. Lieutenant Arthur E. Bruce, died of wounds received in France, 9 May aged 23 years.
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave.
Await, alike the inevitable hour,
The path of glory leads but to the grave
Inserted by the Farrell-street Methodist Church Choir, Port Melbourne.
(Another Notice was place by club-mates of “the Elks Camping and .Social Club, at home and abroad”)