Lieutenant Norman Martin Bruce

Died in action in Gallipoli aged 25
Grave unknown

Norman Martin was born at Port Mulgrave near Whitby, Yorkshire, the son of John Bruce, a mining engineer for the iron stone mines in the area, and Florence Emma of Hill Crest, Whitby.

Following preparatory education at The College, Windermere, he was at Winchester College (1903-1908) and up at Christ Church (1908-1911). He was in the University Sculls (1911-1912) and about to be called to the Bar when war was declared.

As a territorial 2nd Lieutenant he was one of the original officers of the 6th battalion in 1914, and by early 1915 he had been promoted to Lieutenant. He sailed with the 6th battalion on HMTS Aquitania from Liverpool on 3 July 1915 bound for the Gallipoli campaign. They arrived at Lemnos on 10 July and moved to Imbros on 20 July for training and acclimatisation.

Lieutenant Bruce and his men were towed ashore by lighters to land at Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli peninsula on 7 August 1915. They initially occupied a former Turkish trench on Hill 20 and then moved on to attack the hill of Lala Baba, the cry of “the Yorkshires are coming” being heard as they attacked the Turkish positions.

Lieutenant Norman Bruce was killed in action during this attack. His body was never recovered and he is remembered today on Panel 55 to 58 on the Helles Memorial on the Gallipoli peninsula.

His Estate amounted to £1692 1s 10d. Administration granted to his father, a mining engineer.

St. Oswald King and Martyr window dedicated to Bruce in St. Mary's Church, Whitby North Yorkshire, with thanks to Ian Stubbs. 

Sources:
A Memorial Roll of the Officers of Alexandra Princess of Wales Own Yorkshire Regiment Who Died 1914 – 1919.
Compiled by Robert Coulson (1952 – 2008)
& Winchester College, 1884-1934, A Register; Winchester College, A Register for the Years 1901-1946; Wykemist War Service Roll, July 1918; To What End Did They Die: Officers Died at Gallipoli