Lieutenant-Colonel George William Bruce

Lieutenant-Colonel (Army).

Son of the late John and Jane (McGuiness) Bruce of Alliston, Ontario; husband of Margaret Ellen (McClelland) Bruce of 257 Indian Road, Toronto, Ontario.

Brandon Daily Sun, April 22, 1916 (page 1)

LIEUT.-COL. BRUCE INJURED

A wire has been received in the city today from a brother of Lieut.-Col. Bruce stating that the latter has been hurt at Chapleau, north of Lake Superior on the C.P.R. No details are given and the C.P.R. officials here are ignorant of any wreck. Col. Bruce left Brandon Thursday night for his home in the east to recuperate from his recent severe illness. Lieut.-Col. Bruce is in command of the 181st Battalion here.

Brandon Daily Sun, April 24, 1916 (page 1)

DEATH COLONEL BRUCE CASTS GLOOM OVER CITY: WAS WELL LOVED LEADER

Death Follows Accident While En Route East - Sorrow in Regiment on Receipt Sad News

Quite a gloom was cast over the city on the week-end by the news on Saturday afternoon that Colonel Bruce had passed away following the accident referred to in Saturday's issue of The Sun. The accident occurred near Chapleau and with Col. Bruce at the time was his wife and brother-in-law, J.A. McClelland, of Brampton, Ont. The three left here Thursday afternoon for Guelph, Col. Bruce having been urged by his medical advisor to take a complete rest for nervous breakdown. The death of Col. Bruce is all the more sad because of the fact that up to two months ago he enjoyed perfect health. In January last he received the appointment of commander of the 181st the Battalion he offered to raise here. His work along this line was of a very arduous nature and it worried him. He was soon taken very sick and medical examination showed him to be suffering from blood pressure on the brain which led to a complete nervous breakdown.

The late Col. Bruce came here three years ago last January from Collingwood, Ont., where he had successfully practiced law for many years as the chief senior partner in the firm Bruce and Muir. On coming here he entered the firm of Coldwell, Coleman and Curran. Among his many friends here he was known as a man of the most genial and kind hearted nature, being always ready to help with any good work that was being undertaken in the city. He had a sense of humor that was seldom surpassed, and when appearing in some of the principal law court cases he would make humorous sallies which never failed to produce the desired effect. His friends here declare that he was slated for a judgeship at the expiration of the war. The Brandon Law Society has passed an eloquently worded resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the deceased and this will be forwarded by City Solicitor Henderson, K.C. Interment will probably take place in the east. The late Col. Bruce was fifty-two years of age and is survived by a widow and one brother. The news was especially saddening to the officers and men of the 181st, among whom the late soldier was regarded as a model leader. No mention has been made of his probable successor.

Brandon Daily Sun, April 24, 1916 (page 8)

The flags are flying at half mast on the principal buildings in the city today, as a tribute of respect to the late Lieut.-Col. G.W. Bruce.

Brandon Daily Sun, April 25, 1916 (page 1)

MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR COLONEL BRUCE

A memorial service is to be held Thursday afternoon in memory of the late Lieut.-Col. G.W. Bruce. The 181st Battalion will parade to St. Paul's church, where the service will commence at three o'clock, and will be conducted by Rev. R.S. Lowry, of Knox church. The men will leave the Barracks at 2:30 o'clock, which will coincide with the actual time of the funeral being held in Toronto. A beautiful wreath, with the figures "181" in the center, has been made here.

Brandon Daily Sun, May 4, 1916 (page 3)

Lieut.-Col. Bruce Buried in Toronto

Full Military Honors Accorded Late Commandant of the 181st - Honored in Death

The Saturday News, published at Collingwood, Ont., the former home of the late Lieutenant Colonel Bruce, has the following article on the funeral of one of Brandon's most respected citizens:

The funeral of Lieut.-Col. Geo. W. Bruce took place in Toronto on Tuesday and was largely attended by friends of the deceased. The remains were laid to rest in Mount Pleasant cemetery, with the stately pomp of full military honors, the chief military officials of the district taking part.

Before the cortege formed a service was held at the funeral chapel of A.W. Miles, 396 College street, which was conducted by Major Williams, the chaplain of the headquarters staff, assisted by Rev. R.W. Barker, a former pastor in Collingwood during Col. Bruce's residence here, who offered prayer, and Rev. W.M. Chantler, a boyhood chum, who spoke reminiscently of the Colonel, referring to his youthful home life, his school and college life, his public life, and his later home life, in all of which he had ever been the true man.

Around the casket as it lay draped with the Union Jack, were banked a wonderful array of floral tributes from all over the Dominion. Among these were a large anchor and stand from the 181st Battalion, Brandon; a wreath from the Ladies' Auxiliary of the 181st and a wreath from General Logie and the officers of the headquarter's staff. Others sending flowers were the County Council of the County of Simcoe, the Cobourg graduates of Victoria College, the Ontario Bar Association, Col. John Currie, and the Royal Arch Masons of Collingwood, and among these were many others from friends in Collingwood and elsewhere.

A guard of honor composed of several hundred men from the 92nd Highland Battalion formed up in College street and as the casket was borne to the waiting gun carriage the band of the 92nd Battalion played the solemn dead march from "Saul." The following officers acted as pallbearers: Lieut.-Col. Chisholm, 92nd Battalion, Lieut.-Col. Levesconte, 166th Battalion, Lieut.-Col. Kingsmill, 123rd Battalion, Lieut.-Col. Donald, 134th Battalion. Preceded by the 92nd Battalion's band and pipers and escorted by the men detailed by that battalion, the cortege proceeded to Mount Pleasant Cemetery, where Major Williams read the last rites of the church.

The scene at the cemetery was particularly impressive. As the casket was being laid in the grave the pipers played a plaintive Highland lament, the firing squad from the 92nd saluted, and the bugles sounded the "Last Post."

Military experience: 35th Regiment from 1890 to 1912, in command from the 1st of July 1907 to the 1st of October 1912.

For some reason, unstated, no gratuity was paid to his widow.

There is also no record of any inquiry into the circumstances of this man's death within his personnel files.

CEF Burial Register - accident CPR train near Chapleau, Ontario.

Veteran Death Card - fell off train.