Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

The Times and Northern Advertiser, Peterborough, South Australia (SA: 1919 - 1950) Friday 15 June 1934

RETURNED SOLDIER DROPS DEAD

AN ACTIVE TOWNSMAN.

Great Loss in Sporting Circles.

William Bruce, of 29 Moscow street, Peterborough, aged 56 years and five months, dropped dead at work on Monday morning. Several   months ago he had a severe attack of blood pressure and was some time in the Peterborough Hospital, which left his heart weak.

His wife said that, on Sunday afternoon, he did not seem very well and went to bed, saying he thought he had caught a chill. He arose at 7.5 on Monday morning, had a good breakfast and left at 7.45 for work, when he appeared to be quite well again.

Mr. Wm. Williams met the deceased in Hurlestone street and walked to work with him. He noticed deceased rubbing his chest and asked if he had indigestion, and he replied that he did not feel "too good" and would have to see a doctor. They both signed on at 7.55 and Mr. Williams left for the goods sheds; ten minutes later he was told that Mr. Bruce had collapsed.

Mr. Victor L. Griffen met deceased   in the parcels office, after he had signed on at 7.55, when he asked if Bottger was in the ticket office and, receiving an affirmative reply said, "see me have some fun with him about the cricket." They both   entered the office and deceased passed some remark about the cricket and leaned on table. Mr. Griffen left the office, but was immediately called back, by Mr. Bottger and assisted to place deceased on a stretcher.

Mr. Geo. D. Bottger said deceased, after signing on, walked into the ticket office and passed a remark about the cricket and then placed both hands on the table. Mr. Bottger turned to attend to the telephone and heard a bump; looking round be saw deceased lying on the floor and immediately rang for the doctor, who, on arrival, pronounced life extinct, and Mr. Bottger then rang for the police.

Deceased was a very active man and, as a returned soldier, took a keen interest in the local sub-branch, being one of the leading officers and a great authority on league matters. He served in the India Frontier War, the Boer War and with the 4th D.A.C. division in the Great War. He had numerous medals. 

He was also keen in sporting circles, particularly football and athletics. He has practically carried out the duties of secretary to the North Eastern Football Association this year, as Mr. Jim Boyle has been in hospital since the opening of the season. He was also prominent in the Kia-Ora Cricketing Association and a delegate to the Rover Foot- ball Club. He was one of the   prime movers in sending the Peter- borough Cricket Team to the Country Carnival. He hardly ever missed a basketball match, where he acted as timekeeper. As a member of the P'boro. Railway Picnic he was a valuable worker while he also gave his assistance and practical support to all railway and town movements. He was well liked for his jovial disposition and honesty  of purpose, always speaking his mind without fear or favor. He will be sadly missed. He leaves a wife and three boys, the eldest being 12 years, also a married daughter of his first marriage, who lives in Adelaide. The body was identified by Mrs. Bruce and, after viewing the body and reading the police report, the Coroner (S. D. Jones, Esq.) decided an inquest was unnecessary.

LARGELY ATTENDED FUNERAL.

The body was removed from the morgue to St. Peter's Church, where a short service was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, by the Rev. A. J. Kendall Baker. After the les- son had been read, the hymn "Lead Kindly Light" was sung and prayers recited. As the coffin was bourne from the church to the hearse, members of the R.S.A., St. John's Ambulance, Rover Football Club and S.A.R., formed a Guard of Honor. 

The funeral cortege was a very large one—over 100 men, representing the various organisations Mr. Bruce was connected with, marched in front of the hearse, which was followed by 20 cars. The coffin was draped with the Union Jack and a very large number of beautiful floral tributes, including tributes from the S.A. Railways, R.S.A., Buff Lodge, Tourist Cricket Club and North-Eastern Football Association.

The pall-bearers were Messrs. W. J. Dearman and G. C. Dale (R.S.A. and Boer War), V. Connor (S.A.R. and Buff Lodge), G. Bottger (cricketers), L. R. Finlay (footballers), E. H. Fowler (Free Gardeners Lodge, of Adelaide).

The R.S.A., St. John's Ambulance, Rover Football Club and S.A.R. formed a Guard of Honor at the cemetery gates and the Rev. Baker officiated at the graveside.

Representatives were present from the R.S.A., S.A.R., St. John's Ambulance (of which deceased was a corporal), N.E. Football Association, Rover Football Club, Kia Ora Cricket Association, Tourist Cricket Club, and townspeople.

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article110536168