Corporal William Edward Bruce
Service #: 4140
Summary
FAMILY LIFE
William Edward Bruce was born in 1893 in Sutton Forest, son of William & Mary Jane Bruce. He was brother to 8 siblings, including John, who enlisted in November 1915 & Robert, who enlisted in 1916. His parents had brought the family to the Byron/Tweed area of the North Coast when the region was being opened in the late 1880’s. Good land could be obtained easily and it was an ideal place to bring up a family of nine, including five young boys. William leased the property known as Fernhill in South Murwillumbah in 1913 and successfully farmed it for 20 years. He was also one of the first mail contractors. The family lived in Church St Murwillumbah. Both parents are listed on the Banner St Memorial, Murwillumbah which lists the 2348 pioneer settlers of the Tweed district
APPLICATION
He was single State School Teacher, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 1st July 1915 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his father, William, of Murwillumbah
His medical showed he was 21 years 9 months old, 5ft 6 ½ inches tall (169m), weighed 142 lbs (65kgs), with a dark complexion, grey eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good. The Examining Medical Officer stated that William “can see the required distance with either eye; his heart and lungs are healthy; he has the free use of his joints; and he declares he is not subject to fits of any description. I consider him fit for active service.” On the second page of the Attestation Paper, he made the following oath in the presence of the Attesting Officer: “I, Willaim Edward Bruce, swear that I will well and truly serve our Sovereign Lord the King in the Australian Imperial Force until the end of the War … SO HELP ME, GOD.” He was Roman Catholic and had a scar on his left knee. William was enlisted as a private into the 9th Infantry Battalion– 13th Reinforcements with service No 4140
The 9th Infantry Battalion, also known as the "Fighting Ninth," has a proud history within the Australian Army. Its origins trace back to 1867, when it was formed as part of the Queensland Volunteer Rifle Corps. Over time, it evolved into the 9th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War I. It symbolizes courage, dedication, and service to Australia
TRAINING AT RIFLE RANGE CAMP, ENOGGERA
As was the case with men from the Northern Rivers
district in New South Wales, they trained at Rifle Range Camp, Enoggera near
Brisbane. The Barracks Block was built as accommodation for men in two
dormitories, each 36 feet by 22 feet (10.97 x 6.7 metres). Beds or bunks were
not provided, instead each man slept on a palliasse with ground sheet on the
floor. For many it was their first time away from home. Men from every walk of
life, from clerks and teachers to factory and shop workers, were crammed
together
Now training for the new recruits began. Firstly, the men
received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit
had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This
was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a
sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved
marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal
equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary
civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of
wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were
found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave
Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.
This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months
The recruits were issued with their uniform: a khaki woollen jacket, heavy cord breeches and the famous slouch hat – turned up on the left and featuring a plain khaki band, chinstrap and “rising sun” badge. A soldier’s equipment also included a dixie (mess tin), water bottle, mug, .303 Lee-Enfield rifle and bayonet.
On the 3rd January 1916 the recruits left Brisbane, sailing upon the HMAT Kyarra. The epic voyage across the ocean has been described as “the longest journey to war in the history of the world.” They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. On-board, Officers organised rigorous training drills and exercise sessions for the men. They were expected to do their own washing, sweep the decks and carry out other chores
Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant.
Three hearty meals a day were served; breakfast usually consisted of porridge, stew, and tea. Lunch included soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. Meat, bread with jam and tea was served for dinner. Many of the troops experienced bouts of seasickness on the voyage. The crossing the Equator ceremony, ‘Neptune’s Journey,’ was played-out on each troopship.
MARCH 1916
In March 1916 the 9th infantry battalion, which was in Egypt till then, sailed for France and the Western Front. William & the recruits joined them.
WESTERN FRONT & TRENCH WARFARE
The recruits now found themselves fighting the German in trench warfare. On the Western Front in 1914–1918, both sides constructed elaborate trench, underground, and dugout systems opposing each other along a front, protected from assault by barbed wire. The area between opposing trench lines (known as "no man's land") was fully exposed to artillery fire from both sides. Attacks, even if successful, often sustained severe casualties. Trench warfare created a living environment for the men which was harsh, stagnant, and extremely dangerous. Not only were trenches constantly under threat of attack from shells or other weapons, but there were also many health risks that developed into large-scale problems for medical personnel. Apart from the inescapable cold during the winters in France & Belgium, trenches were often completely waterlogged and muddy, and crawling with lice and rats
APRIL – JUNE 1916: ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION IN FRANCE
The 9th Battalion arrived in northern France, settling into the "nursery" sector near Armentières, which was a quieter part of the front. These months were spent getting used to trench warfare conditions on the Western Front, conducting patrols, trench raids, and fatigue duties & participating in training and improving trench defences. There were intermittent casualties from enemy shelling and sniping
HOSPITALISATION MUMPS MAY 1916
On 10th May 1916 William was admitted to the Isolation Hospital in Etaples with mumps. Mumps was, and is, a contagious viral illness, easily spread among the soldiers. It can cause fever, swelling of the salivary glands and inflammation in other parts of the body. Soldiers would have suffered fever, headaches, tiredness, body aches & poor appetite. There is no specific treatment for mumps. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom relief. Treatment would have included plenty of rest, lots of fluids, using a warm or cool compress to relieve facial pain and swelling & eating foods that do not need a lot of chewing
CONVALESCENCE AND TRAINING
On 13th June he was admitted to the 1st Australian Base Depot. Here he would convalesce but continue with drilling & training as the technology and techniques were rapidly changing and soldiers had to be up to date when they were ready to rejoin their units.
REJOINED UNIT JUNE 1916
He rejoined his unit on 29th June 1916. His unit had just fought in the Battle of Pozieres. It was at Pozieres that Australian soldiers were exposed to the full horrors of the Western Front. They were subjected to incessant German artillery attacks and devastating machine-gun fire, plus intense frontal assaults, all of which took an overwhelming physical and mental toll
AUGUST – SEPTEMBER 1916: AFTERMATH AND RECOVERY
After the fighting at Pozières, the 9th Battalion was withdrawn from the front line to rest and reorganize. During this time, they received reinforcements, conducted training, and were rotated in and out of the front in various sectors of northern France. The battalion likely participated in routine trench holding, fatigue duties, and further small-scale engagements
YPRES SEPTEMBER 1916
In September 1916 the battalion was moved to Belgium where they served in and out of the front lines near Ypres. There, they were involved in training, trench repairs and maintenance as well as patrols and occasional raids
SOMME OCTOBER to JANUARY 1917
In early October 1916 they returned to the Somme just in time to spend the bitterly cold winter of 1916-1917 in the trenches. It was a challenging period for the battalion, as they faced bitter cold and the relentless demands of trench warfare.
FEBRUARY 1917
In February 1917 the battalion was involved in operations aimed at pressuring German forces and preparing for upcoming offensives. The battalion was stationed in the trenches near Flers, a sector that had seen intense fighting during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Their responsibilities included manning the front lines, conducting patrols, and maintaining trench systems under challenging winter conditions.
WOUNDED IN ACTION FEBRUARY 1917
On 25th February 1917 William was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his left thigh, severe.
HOSPITALISED ENGLAND
He was evacuated to England on the Warilda on 4th March 1917.
CONVALESENCE AND TRAINING
There are no dates for the training but he rejoined his unit on 7th July, so he spent some time in hospital then some more at Wareham Command Depot.
PROMOTED TO LANCE CORPORAL
During this time in training, on 15th June, he was appointed Lance Corporal
PROMOTED TO TEMPORARY CORPORAL JULY 1917
On 12th July he was then promoted to temporary corporal. A Temporary Corporal was a soldier who held the rank and duties of a Corporal on a non-permanent basis.
PROMOTED TO CORPORAL JULY 1917
On 16th July he was appointed Corporal
AUGUST TO NOVEMBER 1917
THE BATTLE OF MENIN ROAD 20TH TO 25TH SEPTEMBER 1917
The 9th returned to Belgium in September; the battalion fought in various major battles. The Battle of Menin Road was an offensive operation, part of the Third Battle of Ypres on the Western Front, undertaken by the British Second Army to take sections of the curving ridge, east of Ypres, which the Menin Road crossed. This action saw the first involvement of Australian units (1st and 2nd Divisions AIF) in the Third Battle of Ypres. The attack was successful along its entire front, though the advancing troops had to overcome formidable entrenched German defensive positions which included mutually supporting concrete pill-box strongpoints and resist fierce German counter-attacks. A feature of this battle was the intensity of the opening British artillery support. The two AIF Divisions sustained 5,013 casualties in the action
THE BATTLE OF BROODSEINDE 4TH OCTOBER 1917
They engaged in the battle of Broodseinde, the most successful Allied attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. Using bite-and-hold tactics, with objectives limited to what could be held against German counter-attacks, the allied devastated the German defence, prompted a crisis among the German commanders and caused a severe loss of morale in the 4th Army. Preparations were made by the Germans for local withdrawals and planning began for a greater withdrawal, which would entail the abandonment by the Germans of the Belgian coast, one of the strategic aims of the Flanders Offensive
THE BATTLE OF POELCAPPELLE 9th OCTOBER 1917
5 days they also participated in the battle of Poelcappelle. Also called the first battle of Passchendaele, the battle of Poelcappelle was launched on 9 October with the ridge upon which Passchendaele stood as its objective. Like earlier battles in the Ypres offensive, the aim of the Poelcappelle attack was to secure a series of objectives in turn, protected by a heavy artillery barrage; the troops involved would be drawn from the 49th and 66th British, and 2nd Australian Divisions. Rain, however, had begun to deluge an already poorly drained battlefield, and adequate numbers of guns were unable to be brought within range. The infantry's advance also wallowed in the mud. The Australians were able to secure some of their objectives for a short time, but, with little artillery support and both flanks open, they were forced to withdraw. The 2nd Australian Division sustained 1,250 casualties in the battle.
THE BATTLE OF PASSCHAENDELE 12TH OCTOBER 1917
3 days later they join in the battle of Passchendaele. After mid-1917, and following mutinies in the over-strained French Army, the British Forces had to assume an even greater role in the war on the Western Front. For Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, the British commander-in-chief, this provided an opportunity to launch an offensive that he had long wanted. Attacking from Ypres in Belgium, he planned to drive the Germans from the surrounding dominant ridges and even hoped to reach the Belgian coast. Following on the success at Messines in June, he unleashed his great attack on 31 July 1917. Fighting went on, often in appalling weather and despite crippling losses, until November. Finally, with the army stuck in muddy fields churned up by the artillery fire, the bloody offensive came to an untidy close. Many would afterwards call this offensive, a series of battles, after the name of the village that had become the last objective – 'Passchendaele'.
NOVEMBER 1917
The battalion continued to be engaged in the final phase of the Passchendaele offensive. They were involved in consolidation of gains and defending the newly captured positions against German counterattacks. After the capture of Passchendaele village on November 6, 1917, the Australian units, including the 9th Battalion, faced strong counterattacks and suffered heavy casualties.
By the end of November, the 1st Australian Division (including the 9th Battalion) was withdrawn from the front line to rest and refit after months of sustained fighting.
HOSPITALISATION VENEREAL DISEASE NOVEMBER 1917
On 27th November William was admitted to the 3rd General Hospital, Le Havre with venereal disease. The sense of adventure, the loneliness, and the loss of family life that overwhelmed many of the overseas volunteers during the First World War often found them on leave in large cities or small towns where alcohol and women were plentiful, and a lack of available prophylaxis allowed the spread of diseases such as gonorrhoea and syphilis to reach epidemic levels. Historians claim that the average incidence rate for this disease in the AIF was around 12 per cent
Treatment for VD was a punishment in its own right. Special hospitals for VD patients were set up and often regarded as deterrent. Patients would be treated with Salvarsan and mercury which offered uncomfortable and sometimes serious side effects such as jaundice and convulsions. Other treatments included irrigation, which was painful and undignified resulting in many men to opt for chemical treatment instead. These long and uncomfortable stays in VD hospitals often averaged between 50 and 60 days, with most patients recovering and returning to the front. William was discharged 38 days later
REJOINED UNIT JANUARY 1918
He rejoined his unit on 28th January 1918
MESSINE RIDGE EARLY 1918
The battalion remained in Flanders in the Messines sector of the front into early 1918. the area around Messines Ridge in Belgium remained a significant part of the Western Front during World War I. Following the successful Allied capture of the ridge in June 1917, the region became a defensive position for the Allies. Australian troops, including the 3rd and 4th Divisions, were stationed there during the winter of 1917–1918, enduring harsh conditions such as freezing temperatures, mud, and constant shellfire.
The area saw continued skirmishes and artillery exchanges as both sides prepared for larger offensives. The Germans launched their Spring Offensive in March 1918, which shifted the focus of fighting away from Messines to other parts of the front.
THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME 21ST MARCH 1918
Following the launch of the German spring offensive beginning on 21 March 1918, all five Australians divisions were despatched south to the Somme front. In March 1918, the Second Battle of the Somme unfolded as part of the German Spring Offensive on the Western Front during World War I. The battle, also known as Operation Michael, began on 21 March 1918 and lasted until 5 April 1918. It was a massive German assault aimed at breaking through the Allied lines before American reinforcements could arrive in significant numbers.
The offensive targeted the British-held sector of the Somme, with the Germans achieving the largest territorial gains since the early stages of the war. However, despite initial successes, the Allies managed to regroup and halt the German advance near Amiens. The battle marked a turning point, as the German forces exhausted their resources without achieving a decisive victory.
THE BATTLE OF HAZEBROUK 12TH TO 15TH APRIL
In mid-April, however, the 9th Battalion along with other units of the 1st Australian Division, was rushed back to northern France to help contain an enemy breakthrough aimed at the vital town of Hazebrouck. The Battle of Hazebrouck was part of the German Spring Offensive during World War I, specifically within the Battle of the Lys. Hazebrouck, a key railway hub in northern France, was vital for Allied supply lines.
The German forces launched a major attack, breaking through weakly defended sections of the British line, particularly where Portuguese divisions were stationed. The British and Commonwealth troops, including the 1st Australian Division, were ordered to hold their ground despite being low on reserves. The battle saw fierce fighting, with Australian and British forces successfully defending Hazebrouck and preventing a German breakthrough
The battle was significant in halting the German advance towards the Channel ports, ensuring continued Allied supply routes. It is sometimes referred to as a "forgotten battle" despite its importance in the broader conflict. There they remained until August 1918
WOUNDED IN ACTION APRIL 1918
On 28th April 1918 William was once again wounded in action, with a gunshot wound to his back.
HOSPITALISED TO ENGLAND
CONVALESENCE
He was sent to England on 8th May 1918 but this time he would not be going back. He spent many months in hospital and many more in Weymouth convalescing and it was decided to invalid him to Australia
GOING HOME
He returned to Australia on 9th October 1918 and discharged on 30th October as medically unfit.
For his service William was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal and his name is recorded on the Hereford House Reunion Club Roll of Honour, Parramatta NSW Public School Teachers Who Served Abroad Honour Roll, & Bundanoon Wall of Remembrance
AFTER THE WAR
All three brothers were lucky enough to return to Australia although John was invalided back in 1917 after having one of his legs amputated. He spent the rest of his life in Murwillumbah. After the war most of the family remained in the Mullumbimby or Murwillumbah area. William married Dulcie Beatrice Verton in 1926. He died 2nd November 1947 in Bellingen and is buried in Bellingen Cemetery
If you have any additional information about this individual, we invite you to email us at rsl@msmc.org.au.
Memorial Location
Hereford House Reunion Club Roll of Honour, Parramatta NSW Public School Teachers Who Served Abroad Honour Roll, & Bundanoon Wall of Remembrance
Buried Location
Bellingen Cemetery
