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Married: 1901. Adamstown, New South Wales, Australia. Marriage Cert:8625/1901.
Wife: Louisa Gertrude Lillian Bruce. nee: Bigwood.
Died: 17th July 1918. Killed in Action Villers- Bretonneux, France.
James Bruce enlisted with HQ Company 34th Battalion Aif on the 3rd of January 1916 and
was an original member of the Battalion and left Sydney on board HMAT A20 "Hororata" on the 2nd
of May 1916 with the rank of corporal and disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 23rd of June
1916. James was Taken on Strength with the 34th Battalion whilst in training at Tidworth Army
Camp. James was Promoted to Lance Sergeant on the 1st of October 1916 and proceeded overseas
from Southampton 3 weeks later for France on the 21st of November.
After being deployed in France he was transfered to the 61st Battalion on the 3rd of April 1917
where he served for the next few months before returning to the 34th Battalion on the 21st of
June. Less than a month later James was Wounded in Action; 1st Occassion on the 16th of July, receiving a Gun-Shot wound to the Right Cheek
and was sent to the Australian Field Ambulace to receive treatment. James was
back in action 4 days later when he rejoined the Battalion on the 20th of July.
Ten days later James was Promoted again from Lance Sergeant to Temporary Sergeant when Sergeant
Harvey was taken from the front line after falling ill. He was promoted to sergeant nearly
3 months later and a month later to Acting Company Sergeant Major when C.S.M
Ernest John HARMAN was Wounded in Action. A week and a half later James was Promoted to
2nd Lieutenant on the 18th of November 1917.
On the 15th of December James was Detatched to GAs SCHOOL for a week and returned to the Battalion
on the 22nd of December. James was granted leave from the 8th to the 24th of February 1918 in
England before returning to the front line in France. He was again Promoted to Lieutenant on the
16th of March 1918 and was Wounded in Action; 2nd Occassion on the
8th of May 1918, receiving a Gun-Shot wound to his shoulder and
was evacuated to 8th General Hospital in Rouen.
He remained in Hospital for less than 3 weeks before rejoinig his Company and was
Killed in Action at Villers-Bretonneux, France on the 17th July 1918 he was awarded
the MILITARY CROSS for his actions.
October 1917. No: 21, Sergeant BRUCE, James For conspicuous gallentry and
devotion to duty on the 12th October 1917 near PASSCHENDAELE. In the attack the centre of his
Company was held up by an enemy Machine-Gun strong pont. He assisted an Officer Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES VC. to organise a party
which rushed the strong point and captured four Machine-Guns and 35 men. After the Battalion
captured its objective he assisted Officer Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES
VC. to organise a party to attack another Muchine-Gun emplacement on the right
flank which was annihilating the line. In this attack Officer Captain: Clarence Smith JEFFRIES
VC. was killed.
He carried and succeeded in capturing the post, two Machine-Guns and thirty of the enemy. When all
Officers of the Battalion casulties this N.C.O. organised th Battalion and arranged for the digging
of a new line. He sent back valuable information and by his courage and resourcefulness set a
magnificient example to the men.
London Gazette 4th March 1918. Page 2753 Position 10.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 25th of July 1918. Page 1589
Position 28.
8th April 1918. 2nd Lieutenant: BRUCE James. In the attack on the enemy line
in the vicinity of VILLERS-BRETONNEUX on the nignt of April 4th 1918, this Officer led his
platoon with great dash, rushing an advanced enemy Machine-Gun position, killing the crew and
capturing the gun. In the struggle he killed several of the enemy himself. On seeing a party of
enemy moving round his flank, he organised and led a party and succeeded in wiping out the enemy.
Throughout the operation he set a magnificient example of courage and coolness to his men.
London Gazette 26th July 1918. Page 8863 Position 7.
Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 27th of November 1918. Page 2266
Position 6.
James was a Coal Miner from Neath Street, Pelaw Main, New South Wales upon enlistment.
(BEAN; History of World War 1 Vol IV p 913)
James Bruce is commemerated in perpetuity by the Commonweath War Graves Commission, Villers-Bretonneux
Cemetery, France.
James and Louisa Bruce were married in 1901 at Adamstown, N.S.W. Marriage Cert:8625/1901. after James was killed during World War 1, Louia married Samuel J Tomlinson in 1920 at Newcastle, N.S.W.
(Australian National Archives)
Under Construction 11/06/2007
