BRUCE, GEORGE MACDONALD, Lieut., 4th (Extra Reserve), attd. 8th (Territorial), Battn. Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), elder s. of the Rev. George Bruce, M.A., of Lochlinchart, co. Ross, J.P., Minister of Kincocklinchart, by his wife, Margaret Christina, dau. of the late Thomas Learmonth; b. Subatha, Punjab, India, 18 Nov. 1897; educ. George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, where he was a member of the O.T.C.; volunteered for active service, and was gazetted 2nd Lieut. 4th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 24 March, 1915; promoted Lieut. July, 1917; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from Sept. 1916, and was attached to the Cameron Highlanders, with whom he took part in the fighting on the Some; rejoined his regiment in July, 1917, and was appointed Bombing Instructor at Rouen; proceeded to Ireland in Jan. 1018, and was recalled to France in the following May after the Armistice he volunteered for the new Army of Occupation, and died at Hal 17 Feb. 1919, of Influenza and pneumonia, contracted while on active service. Burled at Hal.
His Major (Acting Officer Command Ing) wrote: Your son was in my company for some time, and I can safely say that I never wish to have a better officer under me, in or out of the line. His unfailing cheeriness when conditions were bad his gallantry in action, and his coolness and level-headednes were all remarkable in themselves, and the combination of them very unusual. Had the opportunity presented itself, I am convinced he would have proved himself worthy of the highest honour that could be won,” and the Captain and Adjutant: ” I have known your son since he joined the 11th, and when we became the 8th, I heard that Bruce was at the base waiting for a posting. We immediately wired for him. He was a tremendous asset to a battalion, both in the field and in billets, He had a wonderful way with the men which was heartily appreciated by them. Latterly, I got him to understudy me as Adjutant to the battalion, and I cannot say how much his persistent cheerfulness and good sense helped me. He would have made an excellent Adjutant, with all his efficiency and his abundant fund of humour: a most important thing in the war, which has cheered many a weary soul.” His Captain also wrote: “We went into the front line, and I found a volunteer in Bruce for any work that had to be done. Where he really proved his metal was on patrol. Orders came. that the Lewis gun had to be recovered. When Bruce heard the order, he insisted on going out for the gun, and would not let anyone take his place. He did not find it at that time, but went out in the early morning with his men, determined not to come in without it, and, sure enough, this time he found it. It was really fine work, and we knew then that Bruce was as good In the line as he was out of it.” Unm
Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5