Bertram Roy Bruce (1914 - 1985)

Ancestors

Biography

Bertram Roy Bruce was born on 31 May 1914 near Alford, South Australia. His parents were Alexander David Bruce and Beatrice Caroline (Bunney) Bruce.^[1]

He married Edith Doreen Philbey on 13 April 1940.^[2]

BRUCE—PHILBEY.
The Alford church was artistically decorated with white asters and color ful cosmos in a delightful array for the marriage of Edith Doreen, second daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Philbey, of Strathneath, to Bertram Roy, youngest son of Mrs and the late Mr A. D. Bruce, of Netherleigh Park, Alford. The Rev. Goldsworthy officiated. The two junior bridesmaids, Misses Joyce and Dawn Philbey, frocked in blue georgette fully tiered period frocks wearing matching heart-shaped hats and carrying old world posies, together with the little flower girl, similarly arrayed in white, and Norman Bruce in white satin page boy attire, complete with silk top-hat, preceded the bride to the altar. The bride's frock was a tinsel net creation over taffeta, designed on period lines, the full skirt forming the train, where posies of orange blossoms were placed. Orange blossoms also outlined the peaked waistline, and were placed on the heart shaped neck decolletage. The misty tulle veil was arranged with a wreath of orange blossom. Lilies, and roses constituted the beautifully trailed bouquet. The matron of honor, Mrs W. Aylesbury, and bridesmaid, Miss Joan Retallick, were dressed alike in golden apricot georgette fully tiered period frocks, and wore similar heart-shaped hats, with posies of golden roses and maidenhair fern. The bridegroom was supported by his brother, Mr Clyde Bruce, as best man, and Mr Arthur Philbey was groomsman. During the signing of the register Mr Harry Philbey sang, "Thanks be to God," accompanied by the organist, Mrs Goldsworthy. On leaving the church five horseshoes were hung on the bride's arm by Misses Valerie Bruce, Coralie Rogers, Claire Pitman, Ada Crosbie and Master Gilbert Davies. Young Sunday school friends formed a guard of honor as the bridal party left the church. The bride's mother chose a cyclamen shaded frock and veiled hat with accessories to tone, and wore a shoulder spray of trailing blue and deep pink flowers. The bridegroom's mother was frocked in black relieved with cream, and wore a shoulder spray of autumn tonings. A reception was held at the home of the bride's parents, where about 60 guests were entertained. The bride travelled in a navy woollen frock with gold ornaments and wineberry sash and bustle, with hat and accessories to tone. Mr and Mrs Bruce will live at Murdoch's Hill, via Woodside.

--The Kadina and Wallaroo Times, 11 May 1940^[3]

They had two children, Robin and Glenda.^[4] Bertram enlisted in the Australian Army on 11 July 1942 at Puckapunyal, Victoria. He had previously been in the Citizens Military Force since 27 February 1942. He had service numbers SX20671 and S51596.^[5] At the end of the war, he had quialified for four medals but never claimed them. They were eventually despatched to his son Robin Leigh Bruce on 4 April 1987.^[6]

• 1939/45 Star
• Pacific Star
• War Medal
• Australian Service Medal

He died at age 71 on 2 September 1985.^[7] He was buried at Balaklava Public Cemetery. Even though she had remarried in 1990, Edith was buried with him when she died in 2003.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ BRUCE, Bertram Roy, South Australian Birth registrations index, Daly 937/415, accessed 28 June 2023 via Genealogy SA
2. ↑ Marriage - Newspaper Marriage Notice
3. ↑ WEDDING. BRUCE—PHILBEY. (1940, May 11). The Kadina and Wallaroo Times (SA : 1888 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved June 28, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110162734
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/201453258/bertram-roy-bruce: accessed 28 June 2023), memorial page for Bertram Roy Bruce (1914–2 Sep 1985), Find A Grave: Memorial #201453258, citing Balaklava Public Cemetery, Balaklava, Wakefield Regional Council, South Australia, Australia; Maintained by Faithe Jones (contributor 50048377).
5. ↑ BRUCE, Bertram Roy, Virtual War Memorial Australia accessed 28 June 2023
6. ↑ National Archives of Australia NAA: B883, SX20671, BRUCE BERTRAM ROY : Service Number - SX20671 : Date of birth - 31 May 1914 : Place of birth - KADINA SA : Place of enlistment - PUCKAPUNYAL VIC : Next of Kin - BRUCE EDITH; accessed 28 June 2023
7. ↑ Search for bertram roy bruce, South Australian newspaper Marriage database, accessed 28 June 2023 via Genealogy SA