Major General JH Bruche KCB CB CMG LLB

Julius Henry Bruche was born 6 March 1873 in North Melbourne, Victoria and died 28 April 1961 in Melbourne.

His father, William Julius Maximillian, a corn merchant, and mother, Elise Dorothea Henrietta Goetz, a matron, were both born in Germany.

Raised an Anglican, Bruche became a soldier after being educated at Scotch College and Melbourne University.

His military career commenced when he was commissioned to the 1st Battalion Victorian Rifles (CMF) in 1891. Admitted to the Bar in 1898 as a Barrister and Solicitor he soon left to become a regular soldier that year. By 1899 he had been promoted to Captain and was attached to the British Army at the outbreak of the South African War. He then served with several Australian units and had a second tour in 1902 with the Australian Commonwealth Horse. He returned to a number of administrative posts in Australia.

On 12 April 1904 Bruche married Dorothy Annette McFarland, They had two daughters.

Two years later he was promoted to Major in 1906 and then promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1912. At the outbreak of World War One he was appointed to Command Western Australia before being attached to General Monash's staff in 1916. He was to Mentioned in Despatches five times before the end of the war. He was promoted to Colonel in 1920 and Major-General in 1923 with a number of commands in Australia and overseas. In 1931 he became commandant of the Royal Military College, Duntroon, and then Chief of the General Staff. Bruche retired in 1935.

Medals and Decorations

Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath

Commander of the Order of the Bath

Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George

Queen's South African Medal

King's South African Medal

1914/15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal (with oak leaf in bronze on ribbon for MID)

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