Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Biography of Thorold Mervyn BRUCE

Thorold Mervyn Bruce was born on the 24th of March 1895. He had a dark complexion, dark eyes and dark hair. He lived at 92 Magill Rd, Norwood, South Australia with his mother Mrs Annie Bruce and his younger brother Randolph Roy Bruce who also took part in the war. He attended Norwood Public Primary School and his religion was Church of Christ.

Thorold became a farmer and was single before the war but was believed to have gotten married after the war to Gladys Victoria Bruce. He enlisted on the 18th of February 1915 at the age of 19 and 11 months. Thorold became part of the 27th Battalion as a Private. The 27th was the 2nd most predominant Battalion in South Australia. They had 8000 volunteers and 1,169 of those volunteers died.

He embarked with the First Reinforcements on the 31st of May 1915 in Adelaide on the HMAT Geelong A2.

They landed in Gallipoli in September 1915 where they marched to Taylors Gully. They took over some trenches and began to build more of their own under the appointed commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Water Dollman VD. The 27th evacuated Gallipoli in December and moved to South Camp in Lemnos. Due to the bad sanitation and hygiene many of the men caught typhoid which resulted in many of them being evacuated back to Australia.

In the time they spent in Gallipoli, the most successful yet most difficult part of the war was the plans for the evacuation where the ANZAC troops were withdrawn. 

Training commenced in Egypt, 1915 and the AIF (Australian Imperial Force) doubled in number which resulted in many of the men from the 27th Battalion being moved to other units.

Thorold was known to have fought on two particular dates – the 4th of August 1916 and in January 1917. The 27th Battalion’s record from August stated what had occurred at La Boiselle; Shelling by enemy. 1 killed and 7 wounded. Attacked and captured 2 lines of trenches approx. 100 surrendered. Trenches and strongpoint at windmill. Casualties occurred. 1 officer killed, 2 officers missing, 7 wounded. In January, no major conflicts occurred only a small number of officers and soldiers were killed.

The 27th’s first major battle occurred on the battlefield of Somme in April 1916 alongside the 28th. The 27th were the first Australian troops in the front line at this battle.

The 27th became devoted to the fighting near Pozieres as part of the Second Division AIF but the 48th soon took over from them. They had a short rest from fighting but began again near the Mouquet Farm.

Until the 9th of September they travelled on foot from one camp to another until they stopped in France Steenvorde. Thorold was advised wounded on the 5th of September 1916 which further went to being transferred to the Kitchener’s Military Hospital on the 12th of September 1916 due to an injury to his forearm which was believed to be only mild. His Battalion stayed in Steenvorde until the 16th of October. They trained at St Lawrence Camp. On the 27th of October, they stopped in Dernancourt, France. The Battalion then trained before going to the Front where they showed their best fighting qualities near Le Barque where they relieved the 53rd.

In Early November, the 7th Brigade were involved in a major conflict at Fleurs near Pozieres. The first attacks were launched on the 5th of November along with the 1st Brigade who were moving along via trenches in the north of Gueudecourt.

The 7th travelled through a series of trenches that were called ‘The Maze’. The 27th were responsible for an attack to the enemy’s position in the Bayonet Trench. Unfortunately, they eventually were forced to withdraw from the conflict.

Gueudecourt proved to be a challenge for the soldiers as they lived through an extremely cold winter. The winter resulted in 20,000 casualties throughout the ranks.

Another attack occurred in The Maze by the 5th and 7th Brigade on the 17th of November. They managed to successfully take some of the German trenches but a surprise attack occurred later and they took them back.

Because of these attacks the 27th lost 5 officers, 72 from other ranks, another 5 officers, 136 from other ranks were wounded and 72 were missing.

 On the 10th of October 1915 Thorold was appointed to the position of Lance Corporal in France. On the 7th of November, he was admitted from England to Have in France where he then proceeded to join his unit. A few days later he re-joined his Battalion.

On the 28th of August Thorold was again admitted to hospital. He remained in hospital for a long time; the reason behind this is not known but Thorold was advised to return to Australia. He returned to Australia via Port Macquarie.

Thorold returned to Australia on the 28 March 1919 and was discharged on the 21st of July 1919. He went to live on until 1968, his cause of death is unknown.

Thorold received three medals for his service in the war. He had the Star Issued, The British War Medal Issued and Victory Medal Issued.

Surname: BRUCE; Given Names: Thorold Mervyn; Date of Birth: 24 March 1895; Date of Enlistment: 1 February 1915; Trade or Calling: Farmer; Birth Location: Magill; Address prior to enlistment: 92 Magill Rd Norwood; Photograph sent by: M S Bruce
Source: State Records SA