Bruce, G R (George Russell)

Bruce, G R (George Russell)

Share

Pilot Officer George Russell Bruce was the son of George A. Bruce and E. Bruce, of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

During the morning at 10 o’clock on the 23rd of October, Pilot Officer George Russell Bruce in Hurricane llB[1] Z3649, took off with Sergeant Harp in Hurricane llB Z3745 on a convoy patrol. Both men belonged to 133 (Eagle) Squadron. This part of the RAF was only manned by American Volunteers who flew Hurricane fighters. They were the third squadron to be formed in this way and had only existed for 2 months. The squadron had only been in Northern Ireland for 13 days.

On return from their mission and only a few miles from the airfield, Pilot Bruce flew too low and hit trees near Rasharkin, Ballymena, Northern Ireland at 12:23. The other pilot, George Russell Bruce, landed 2 minutes later in Eglinton airfield, unaware of the loss of his partner.

George Bruce’s body was recovered, and he was later laid to rest with a full military funeral.

Date of Death: 23/10/1941 (Aged 27)

Service: Pilot Officer, 133 (Eagle) Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Service Number: 67580

Burial Location: Faughanvale Presbyterian Churchyard, grave 593. 


[1] The Hawker Hurricane llB was a single seat fighter plane. This version thought was designed for fighting in North Africa.

Leave a Reply

Consent Management Platform by Real Cookie Banner