Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The summary below was completed by Cathy Sedgwick – Facebook “WW1 Australian War Graves in England/UK/Scotland/Ireland 

Died on this date – 9th February…… John Kemp Bruce was born at Glasgow, Scotland on 19th December, 1853.

Rev. John Kemp Bruce was ordained to Peterhead United Presbyterian Church, Peterhead, Scotland on 15th January, 1880.

On 30th June, 1881 Rev. John Kemp Bruce married Margaret Jane Whitson.

John Kemp Bruce, son of Margaret & the Rev. John Kemp Bruce, was born on 5th July, 1882 at United Presbyterian Manse, Peterhead, Scotland.

James Whitson Kemp Bruce, son of Margaret & the Rev. John Kemp Bruce, was born on 28th October, 1883 at United Presbyterian Manse, Peterhead, Scotland.

Reverend J. K. Bruce (aged 37), Mrs J. K. Bruce (aged 34) & Master Bruce (aged & Master Bruce (aged 7) were passengers on Oroya which had departed from the port of London, England & arrived at the port of Sydney, NSW, Australia on 7th June, 1891.

The NSW Government Gazette for October 1891 listed Reverend John Kemp Bruce – Residence, Nowra having been registered for the celebration of Marriages.

The NSW Government Gazette for December 1898 listed Reverend John Kemp Bruce from Nowra to Wahroonga having been registered for the celebration of Marriages.

John Kemp Bruce was a 63 year old, married, Presbyterian Minister from Wahroonga, NSW when he joined the Australian Imperial Force (A.I.F.) on 14th December, 1916. He signed an “Application for a Commission in the A.I.F. - Voyage Only” form on 14th December, 1916.

On 1st January, 1917 John Kemp Bruce was appointed Captain Chaplain for Voyage Only & without pay or allowances.

Chaplain 4th Class John Kemp Bruce embarked from Sydney, NSW on HMAT Benalla (A24) on 10th May, 1917. He was appointed Captain Chaplain on 12th May, 1917 on H.M.A.T. “A24”. Captain Chaplain Bruce disembarked at Plymouth, England on 19th July, 1917.

He was to report to No. 1 Command Depot pending return to Australia. He was marched in to No. 1 Command Depot at Perham Downs, Wiltshire, England on 13th August, 1917.

On 14th September, 1917 Chaplain 4th Class John Kemp Bruce was temporarily attached to 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, Kent – A.I.F. List 233 as there was a shortage of clergymen available for hospital duty. He was detached from attached duty with 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford, Kent on 24th January, 1918 & was marched out to Administrative Headquarters.

He embarked on Dunluce Castle from England on 24th January, 1918 as Voyage Only Chaplain for return to Australia.

Chaplain 4th Class John Kemp Bruce died at 4.55 pm on 9th February, 1918 at Sea on board (near Capetown) on returning to Australia from Influenza, Cardiac Dilatation & Angina Pectoris.

He was buried at sea on the morning of 10th February, 1918. He is commemorated on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, Hampshire, England as he has no grave. His death is acknowledged by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

(The above is a summary of my research. The full research can be found by following the link below)
https://ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/-a---b.html

Presbyterian Minister
Chaplain 4th Class

Born Glasgow, New Brunswick, Scotland
Husband of Mrs. M BRUCE
Of 'The Manse' Wahroonga, NSW
Aged 63 years
Enlisted 01 January 1917
Died at sea 09 February 1918
Commemorated Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton, England Panel 185

The Rev. John Kemp Bruce, of Wahroonga, the new Moderator of the New South Wales General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Australia, was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He was educated at Glasgow Academy and High School, and Glasgow University, his theological training being obtained at the United Presbyterian Hall. During the last year of his theological course, he conducted a mission at RockVilla, Glasgow, which was in a very low state when Mr. Bruce took charge of it, but at the end of the year had so far recovered as to be constituted a fully-sanctioned charge. He was called by the congregation to become its minister, but declined. He was licensed as a probationer by the Dundee Presbytery in June, 1879, and in October of the same year was called to Peterhead, his ordination and induction taking place in the following January. After 11 years'ministry at Peterhead, the health of the elder of Mr. Bruce's sons led him to seek transference to Australia, and bearing a commission from the U.P. Church of Scotland, he arrived in Sydney in 1891. His first charge in this State was Shoalhaven, where he remained till 1898, when he was called to Wahroonga. Mr.Bruce has also filled several important offices. For some years he was Convener of the Committee on Religion and Public Morals, and subsequently received the appointment of Chairman of the Examining Board, continuing in that position until 1901, when the local board was abolished, in consequence of the union of the State Presbyterian Churches. He has also been a member of the Standing Committees, from year to year, and of the executive of the Centenary Scheme.

Australian Town and Country Journal Wednesday 16 May 1906 page 25