BRUCE, Thomas Andrew
| Service Number: | SX3256 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 22 May 1940, Wayville, SA |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Mount Barker, South Australia, 19 January 1921 |
| Home Town: | Booborowie, Goyder, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Killed in Action, Syria, 10 July 1941, aged 20 years |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Rocky Creek 9th Division Cavalry Regiment & 2nd / 9th Cavalry (Commando) Regiment, Adelaide WW2 Wall of Remembrance, Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Booborowie District WW1 & WW2 Honour Roll, Burra Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Spalding & District War Memorial Gates, Spalding District Honour Roll WW2 |
World War 2 Service
| 22 May 1940: | Involvement Trooper, SX3256 | |
|---|---|---|
| 22 May 1940: | Enlisted Wayville, SA | |
| 22 May 1940: | Enlisted Australian Military Forces (WW2) , Private, SX3256 | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
First rate cobbers in the line and out
TROOPER THOMAS ANDREW BRUCE, was killed instantly in the Barada Gorge, also near Damascus, 7 days later in some very fierce fighting with Vichy French troops.
'I was an actual eye-witness of the sad fatality' said Sgt. Smith. We went forward to inspect a road block with a Major, and Driver V. V. Goldfinch (from West
Coast, S.A.) Trooper Bruce was the wireless operator with the carrier and we moved into position under heavy fire from the Vichy French on high ground in the Gorge. Tom Bruce was killed when a mortar bomb exploded in the back of the carrier, as he was operating the wireless. 'Tom was a particular friend of mine said. Sgt. Smith. We went on leave together. Spent most of our time together, and we were first rate cobbers in the line and out. No man ever had a better pal or more honor able soldier friend.
He was buried by Padre Spencer, a Church of England Chaplain, with in 10 yards of Lieut. W. K. Hope, in the Damascus Cemetery on July 11, 1941, with full military honors.
He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Bruce, of Booborowie. Mr. Bruce is a returned soldier of World War 1, and they have 2 daughters in the AWAS.
Northern Argus Friday 08 October 1943 page 5
Submitted 19 October 2015 by Faithe Jones
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