Trying to work out if Robert Edmonston Bruce has any living decedents has proved to be quite difficult. Spoiler alert: the answer is no he didn't. However, to get to that point, I had to go back and forward through the records multiple times to find the right evidence but each time came to a very solid brick wall.
Robert served in WWI as an engineer sapper with the number 14090. His brother 1902 George Hamilton Bruce served in 15th Battalion at Gallipoli. George was missing in action on 8 August 1915. A board of inquiry later pronounced him dead. George is commemorated at the Lone Pine memorial.
Following WWI, Robert became a Public Servant and was living in the Australian Capital Territory suburb of Reid when he enlisted for WWII with the number NX65254.
Robert was married to Laura Mary Forster and it was only checking each electoral roll entry I found they had a daughter; Joyce Bruce. However, there are just to many people by the name Joyce Bruce to work out the exact one I was looking for. I went back to the records and after several more hours found that Joyce Allison Bruce, the daughter of Robert and Laura was born in Victoria in 1920.The last electoral roll entry for Joyce Allison Bruce was in 1949 then she just disappeared from the records. Back to the records research and several hours later found that Joyce married Norris Joseph Merrett in 1950. However, Joyce and Norris did not have any children. I was pretty much back at square one.
Another brother of Robert and George was John Laing Bruce. John's son was Kenneth Robert Bruce. The next generation is Heather D, the great niece of Robert Edmonston Bruce. I've been in contact with Heather and will soon send her these medals.
Two of Robert's WWII medals came to my from the Directorate of Honours and Awards. Prior to that they were in the custody of a public trustee. The medals were still in the original box but I wonder where his WWI medals are?
Thank you to the Rebecca O, the trust manager, and Donna B from the Directorate of Honours and Awards. The returned medal tally is now 2828.
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