BRUCE, John Reginald


No.31306, Private, John Reginald BRUCE
Aged 18


6th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment)
Died of his Wounds on 11th August 1918


John Reginald Bruce was born in Shimpling in 1899 (4th qtr Sudbury 4a:834) son of George Albert and Elizabeth Mary BRUCE (née LORKING)

1901 census...Aged 1, he was at The Street, Shimpling with his father George A BRUCE [37] sub-postmaster; his mother Elizabeth M [37]; sisters Annie L L [15], Catherine N [13], May L [6] and Gertrude F [under 1 month] ; brothers George E [10], Edward L [8]and Bertram V [3]. All were born in Shimpling

1911 census...Aged 11, he was still in Shimpling with his parents; brothers Edward George (carpenter) amd Bertram Victor; sisters May Lilian and and Gertrude Florence.

On the pension card his parents were still in Shimpling.



He enlisted in Ipswich. He died at No.4 Casualty Clearing Station, Halloy les Pernois, France
From the newspaper report it appears he was wounded on the 9th August 1917. His battalion were at BALLARAT LINE. Thw war diary has:-
Oders received at 1 pm to attack in the evening. Bn formed up in banks running alongside MORLANCOURT -VILLE RD. Some casualties caused by machine gun fire during assembly. Zero 5:50 pm Attack completely successful after hard fighting. 12 machine guns captured, 10 others destroyed. 4 trench mortars and 1 grenatenwerfer and about 40 prisoners taken. Attack penetrated about 2,000 yrds into enemy positions.


29 of the battalion were killed on the day according to CWGC.





photo www.ww1cemeteries.com

John Bruce is buried in Pernois British Cemetery, Halloy-les-Pernois 4:E:12

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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