| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
David William Bruce was born in Beverley in 1881, one of six children born to James Bruce, joiner and his wife Annie Elizabeth. They lived in St Andrew Street and David attended Minster Boys’ School. He was employed as a gardener, working for Frank Fitzroy Lambert of Langholme, North Bar Without, Beverley. David never married and continued to live with his mother in St Andrew Street until he enlisted at the age of 35 in the Royal Garrison Artillery on 10 May 1916. He was stationed at the Heavy Artillery Depot in Aldershot until he was transferred to the 156th Heavy Battery in 1917 and was posted to France.
He embarked for France on 25 May, 1917. Nine days later, on 3 Jun 1917, he was killed in action. His personal effects which were returned to his mother included a purse, wrist watch, pocket wallet, pair of scissors, pocket knife, an air pillow, correspondence and photographs. David was awarded the British War and Victory Medals and he is “Remembered with Honour” in the Strand Cemetery (Ploegsteert Wood). He is also commemorated on the Hengate War Memorial in Beverley.
His brother Robert Daniel Bruce, served as a Corporal in the Motor Transport Division of the Army Service Corps.William Bell Jessop, the husband of David's youngest sister, Elsie Alice, served with the 5th Battalion of the Yorkshire Regiment and was killed in action in 1918.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |