Joseph Thomas BRUCE
Per his military service record (Depot), Joseph Thomas Bruce was born at Corowa, N.S.W.[1] He gave his age as 23 years and 2 months, his marital status as single, and his occupation as shearer. His description on his Certificate of Medical Examination was 5 feet 8 inches tall, weight 158 lbs., with a fair complexion, brown eyes, and brown hair. His religious denomination was Church of England. He claimed that he had no previous military service.
He completed his medical examination at Wellington on 22nd October 1915. He then caught up with the Coo-ees, and was attested by Captain T. A. Nicholas at Orange on 24th October 1915.
His next of kin was recorded on his Australian Imperial Force Attestation Paper of Persons Enlisted for Service Abroad form as his mother, Mrs E. Bruce, Harris Street, Sydney.
On 6th November 1915 at Katoomba (the day the Coo-ees marched from Katoomba to Lawson), Private Bruce was charged by Captain A. C. Eade with drunkenness and using offensive language. Captain Hitchen was the witness to the offences. Private Bruce was fined 70 shillings.
After completing the Coo-ee March he went into Liverpool Camp as reinforcement for the 13th Battalion.
On 3rd December 1915 Private Bruce was charged with being absent without leave and drunkenness, and was discharged from the A.I.F. not likely to become an efficient soldier.
[1] NAA: B2455, BRUCE J T
1915 Coo-ee March 