Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Bruce was the fourth of five sons of Walter Duncan and Olive Louise Chester Ogilvie. He was born in Moe, Victoria on the 21st September, 1921. His siblings were Jean, Phillip, Stewart, Irvine and Murray. The family initially lived in Moe, in Victoria before then moving to live first Cowell then in Booberowie on a property called Caithness (in a nod to their Scottish heritage). This region in the mid-north of South Australia is known for the quality of its sheep and farming with Walter specialising in quality lucerne crops. It was here that the children attended the local school where Bruce consistently won awards for different aspects of his schoolwork including transcription, his homework book, crayon drawing from nature model to show housing in woodwork, handwriting and Map drawing over his entire Primary years. He, Jean and Stella were all awarded Attendance Prizes in ’29 for not missing a single day of schooling, a rare achievement. His and the other high achieving students’ bookwork were often exhibited at the Hallett Exhibition.
Besides his academic excellence, Bruce was also a very capable football player for Booberowie, at one stage taking the field with his older brother, Irvine. In later years Bruce was described as giving excellent support and being ‘an inspiration to the team’. In July ’45 he was named as best player with a bag of 3 gaols against Burra and in the following year also dominated in the Lightning Premiership team against Spalding.
Post school, Bruce became a farm hand. His two older brothers, Irvine and Phillip, began a partnership in November ’38, of a farm next to that owned by their father.
With the outbreak of WWII, a very strong recruiting campaign was conducted for the A.I.F. with enlistment stations at nearby Burra and Clare as part of a huge drive aimed at fit young country men. 25-year-old Stewart was the first of the brothers to enlist on the 27th May ‘40, at Caulfield in Victoria, hence his number being VX17601. He was allocated to the 2/12th Battalion. Older brother Phillip (SX3992) followed, enlisting just days before his 27th birthday, on the 30th May ’40 and was allocated to the 2/27th battalion. Aged 23, Irvine enlisted on the 3rd July ’40.
News drifted back that Irvine was wounded in May ’41, then Philip also. More distressing news followed with the announcement in June ’41 that Bruce’s brother Stewart was killed in action at Tobruk. Phillip’s injury was sustained during an incredibly brave single charge that earned him a permanent head would but also the Military Medal.
When finally able, 20-year-old Bruce enlisted at Burra in February ’42. He became SX17862 eventually with the 12th Australian Signals and by July was sent to the Northern Territory, where he attended Trig School. In the meantime, Irvine was again wounded in Egypt. The Advertiser summarised the four son’s service and their closeness in August ’42. ‘I have Just seen a picture of the grave of Gunner Stewart Ogilvie, who was killed in action at Tobruk on June 29, 1941. His brother, Irvine, tiled and cemented the grave. He was wounded at Tobruk in May, 1941, and again last month in Egypt Pte. Phillip Ogilvie, eldest brother, was seriously wounded in the Syrian campaign, and gained the Military Medal Younger brother Bruce (20) is at his battle station somewhere in Australia. They are sons of Mrs. W. D. Ogilvie. of Caithness. Booborowie.’
Bruce’s time in the Territory was followed by service in Signals in New South Wales before he was finally discharged in January ’44. However, by July ’50 Phillip decided to sell his farm holding he had in partnership with Irvine and the family moved to the South East. Bruce also moved, meeting Joy Winnifred Collins. The couple announcing their engagement with the young couple marrying in June ‘49 at the Pirie Street Methodist Church. Bruce chose his younger brother, Douglas as his best man. Joy and Bruce also moved and quickly became part of the community through Joy’s involvement with the Country Women’s Association. They soon welcomed their son, Clive Bruce in January ’52 at the Kingston Hospital.
Just after his 89th birthday, Bruce died on the 8th July 2010 and is buried in the Victor Harbor Cemetery.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.