Peerage Record – 28657

     John Alexander Bruce was born on 11 August 1878 at Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.² He was the son of Murdoch Bruce and Catherine Polson. He died on 25 November 1898 at age 20 at Tinwald, Ashburton, New Zealand^G, killed in a bicycle race accident John was killed while competing in a bicycle race. ‘J.A. Bruce, who was limit man in the cycling road race on Thursday 24 November, 1898, was mounted on a high geared machine, with what are known as ‘scorching handles’. These are a doubtless advantage on a perfectly level and smooth track, but another complexion on a rough road with half a gale blowing. After starting at great pace and with only a quarter of a mile completed, his cycle struck a large stone, and he fell heavily on his head, sustaining very serious injuries. He died early the next morning.’³.^4,5 He was buried at Ashburton Public Cemetery, Old Section, Ashburton, New Zealand^G, plot 804.⁶
     He was brought up living at Ocean View Farm, Buckleys Road, Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, from 11 August 1878 to 1897.⁷ He was a clerk for Friedlander Brothers Ltd at Ashburton, New Zealand^G.⁷

     David Bruce was born on 17 June 1882 at Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.¹ He was the son of Murdoch Bruce and Catherine Polson. He died on 24 February 1902 at age 19 at Langverwacht, Orange Free State, South Africa^G, wounds received in action (i.e. killed in action) A total of 10 soldiers were killed in the same action against the Boers..^2,3 He was buried at Langverwacht Farm, Vrede, Orange Free State, South Africa^G.⁴
     He was brought up living at Ocean View Farm, Buckleys Road, Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, from 17 June 1882 to 1897.⁵ He was a labourer in 1901 at Tinwald, Ashburton, New Zealand^G.⁶ David served in the No 24 Company (Canterbury Section), NZ Contingent to the South African War on 6 April 1901 as a trooper 4387. He went to South Africa on the “Gulf of Taranto”, as part of the Seventh Contingent..⁷

     Alexander Ina Bruce was born on 10 January 1880 at Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.¹ She was the daughter of Murdoch Bruce and Catherine Polson. She died on 15 June 1938 at age 58.¹ She was buried at Ashburton Public Cemetery, Ashburton, New Zealand^G, plot 3190.²
     She was brought up living at Ocean View Farm, Buckleys Road, Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, from 10 January 1880 to 1897.³

     Archibald Polson Bruce was born on 21 June 1884 at Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.¹ He was the son of Murdoch Bruce and Catherine Polson. He married Una Marion Nicholson on 22 August 1928.² He died on 12 January 1968 at age 83.^1,3 He was buried at Ashburton Public Cemetery, Ashburton, New Zealand^G, plot 3246.³
     He was brought up living at Ocean View Farm, Buckleys Road, Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, from 21 June 1884 to 1897.⁴ He was a student at Seafield School, Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.⁴ He was a student at Ashburton High School, Ashburton, New Zealand^G.⁴ He was a bank clerk for the Bank of New South Wales from 1905 to 1908 at Ashburton, New Zealand^G.⁴ He was farmer in 1911 at Seafield, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, This farm was 1152 acres..⁴ He was commissioned on 19 January 1917 with the rank of Sergeant, in the service of the Rifle Brigade Reinforcement, G Company, 1st NZEF He left for France on the “Waitemata”, as part of the 21st Reinforcement.⁵ He lived at Kinkora Farm, Hamptons Road, Pendarves, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, from 1919 to 1968.⁴ He was a farmer from 1919 to 1968 at Kinkora Farm, Hamptons Road, Pendarves, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, “Kinkora was initially 1739 acres in 1918, although it was only 1000 acres in 1968 when Archibald’s son, Robin, inherited it. In 1955, Arch started the Southdown Stud, and then in 1957, the South-Suffolk Stud. Progeny from both of these studs was well sought after..^4,6 He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) [New Zelaand] He has an extensive biographical entry in the Arch was widely repsected in farming and business circles, and took a leading role in these areas, being the on the Federated Farmers provincial executive, was A&P Association President in 1934 and a director of teh North Canterbury Sheep Farmers Co-op Freezing Co.
In his earlier years he was actively involved with the Old Boys Rugby CLub and later with teh Racing and Trotting Clubs, as well as the MSA, RSA and County Clubs.
He was a Justice of the Peace.
     

     Una Marion Nicholson was born on 26 July 1905.¹ She married Archibald Polson Bruce, son of Murdoch Bruce and Catherine Polson, on 22 August 1928.¹
     Una lived with her husband at Kinkora Farm, Hamptons Road, Pendarves, Canterbury, New Zealand^G, in 1928.²

     John Robin Bruce was born on 22 June 1929.¹ He is the son of Archibald Polson Bruce and Una Marion Nicholson. He married Diana Christina Keenlyside.²
     He was farmer in 1968 at Kinkora Farm, Hamptons Road, Pendarves, Canterbury, New Zealand^G.¹

     Elizabeth Alison Bruce was born on 20 April 1931.¹ She is the daughter of Archibald Polson Bruce and Una Marion Nicholson. She married Sydney Ronald Arthur Ayling.²
     Her married name became Ayling.²

     Diana Christina Keenlyside married John Robin Bruce, son of Archibald Polson Bruce and Una Marion Nicholson.¹

     Stephen John Bruce is the son of John Robin Bruce and Diana Christina Keenlyside.

     Susan Frances Bruce is the daughter of John Robin Bruce and Diana Christina Keenlyside.