Thomas Arthur Bruce

M, #8812, b. 25 September 1897, d. 15 October 1917
     Thomas Arthur Bruce was born on 25 September 1897 at 82 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland.1 He was the son of George Bruce and Mary Ann Innes.
He was listed as head of household's son in the 1901 census at 82 Portknockie, Banffshire, Scotland. Those recorded in the household were: George Bruce, head; Mary A Bruce, wife; George Bruce, son; James Bruce, son; John Bruce, son; Christina Bruce, daughter; Alexander Bruce, son; Georgina Bruce, daughter; Margaret ? Bruce, daughter; Helen J Bruce, daughter; Ruth S C Bruce, daughter; Joseph Bruce, son; Thomas A Bruce, son.2
Thomas Arthur Bruce was in the Royal Naval Reserve. Thomas died on 15 October 1917 at sea, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Wales, at age 20. He served aboard HM Drifter Active III as Trimmer, and was killed when she struck a mine off Milford Haven on 15 October 1917. The entire crew was lost.3,1

Citations

  1. [S772] Robert Mair, Neil Pirie, Information kindly supplied by Robert Mair of Durham, England.
  2. [S10196] 1901, Scottish Census, "Thomas A Bruce, son, male, age 3, born in Portknockie, Banffshire, resident at 82 Portknockie."
  3. [S7909] Debt of Honour Register and certificate, Casualty No 3040730, "In Memory of Trimmer THOMAS ARTHUR BRUCE, Service Number: 2539TS, H.M. Drifter "Active III", Royal Naval Reserve who died on 15 October 1917 age 21. Son of the late George and Mary Ann Bruce. Remembered with honour. Portsmouth Naval Memorial 28. Commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission."