L/Cpl
William Bruce
Information about birth
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Place of birth: Torry, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: Australian Imperial Force |
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Rank: Lance Corporal |
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Service number: 8471 |
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Enlistment place: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Seaforth Highlanders, 8th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 22/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Pommern Castle & Redoubt, Saint-Julien, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XIII Row: A Grave: 31 |
Points of interest 3
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Enlistment place | ||
| #3 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
William Bruce was born in Torry, Aberdeen. He enlisted in the British Army and served in the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (44th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division).
William was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
After the war, William’s body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
William was killed in action on 22 August 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. On that day, the 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders were positioned between Beck House and Pommern Castle. Their objective was to advance toward Iberian and Hill 35. After the attack began at 4:45 am, the advance proved difficult. The objectives Iberian and Beck House remained in German hands, and the battalion was driven back. By 7:45 am, the battalion had returned to its original positions, and efforts were focused on consolidation. However, German sniper fire caused many casualties.
Around midday, the German barrage ceased, and at approximately 3:40 pm a counterattack followed. At 6:50 pm, German troops advanced from Zevekote, prompting the Scots to call for a barrage. At 7:30 am, a heavy German bombardment followed from Frezenberg and Pommern Castle. Nearly an hour and a half later, the barrage ended. No further attack followed. The 8th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders did not achieve their objectives on 22 August. Eventually, new orders were issued to launch a renewed raid the following day.
After the war, William’s body was recovered near Pommern Castle. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he found his final resting place.
Sources 2
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44 Infantry Brigade: 8 Battalion Seaforth Highlanders (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1940/3). https://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 1995), p. 63. Sources used |
More information 3
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/462105 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=770b3cf1-2a1b-4d70-9895-b29a5516a905 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/569427 |