Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Henry Bary Redan Bruce , known as Harry, was as his youngest son Brian related "a respected man of strong principle ,a quiet man , a man of few words who never spoke ill of any man or woman, firm but fair, in whose presence you always felt safe and secure".

Born in North Fitzroy, Victoria Harry's mother began a new life in Karridale West Australia when Harry was four years old .His childhood was spent in the timber town of Karridale and after his mother's relationship with his step father ended they lived in Fremantle West Australia.

As soon as he was old enough he returned to the South West timber area to begin work with Jarrahwood Mills at Jarrahwood, West Australia  His job was to cut railway  sleepers , using an axe and a cross saw, for West Australian Railways.

He attested at Blackboy Camp on 26th February 1915. At first a recruit of D Company 24th Battalion he soon transferred to 28th Battalion Machine Gun Company departing Australia on Ascanius , His  brother William was also on that ship bound for Egypt. In Egypt he trained at Zeitoun a Machine Gun Course to obtain a certificate to qualify as an Instructor .

Henry served his country in World War 1 for 4 years and 15 days abroad ,seeing action as a machine gunner at Gallipoli and the Western Front in France. For part of his service Harry served with the Overseas Training Brigade at Hurdcott.

Henry again served in World War 2, for 4 years , Service No W31775 with this service with 5th Garrison Battalion .

Known as Harry Bruce , he refused to discuss with his family what he did in the war but was known to often  say , "Politicians start wars and the common man has to fight them , for if if the politicians had to fight them there would never be a war "  

His two brothers, step father and brother-in-law all served overseas, all returned to Australia.

Harry came home to settle first in Fremantle but later in West Perth . He worked at the  Swan Brewery for 40 years , hardly known to take a day off . Testament to the character of the man Harry was , the management closed the Brewery for half a day so the staff could attend the funeral .He died in Royal Perth Hospital aged 64 from cancer of the bladder.

On 3rd May 1920 in Fremantle Harry married Martha, the daughter of German immigrants. They were the parents of 4 boys and 2 girls . Sadly both girls died in infancy and one son at 17 years of age .

Though the Depression years Harry provided a home for a family whom he knew were to be evicted. That family of three were cared for as extended family for 3 years , only leaving when the man was well established in a job. 

Of Harry his youngest son, Brian, has written " My father had one golden rule that you had to adhere to , that being when you left the house you should kiss everyone there goodbye , male and female. I think now it was because of the war, that in case you may not return you have said your goodbyes properly." 

As the grand daughter of Harry that is a custom I knew my father, George, Harry's eldest son also followed.

Harry Bruce was a man who led the way for his sons to have, like him ,a strong sense of social justice towards those less fortunate and a commitment to serve their country .