This is one of a series of posts to mark the international Rugby players who served in, and survived, The Great War. If anyone has further information on the men concerned, I’d be most grateful if it could be added to the thread. Gareth Bruce, John Alexander played for New Zealand Internationals: 2: 1914 A+ A+ ; NZ tours 1913 North America, 1914 Australia John Bruce was born on 11 November 1887, in Wellington Played as a No 8 for: Te Aro School, St James, Wellington, Athletic, Auckland, City, North Island, NZ Army Profession: Carpenter War service: 63551 Sapper, Field Engineers, NZEF Remarks: He was selected for the NZ tour of the USA in 1913, but suffered a poisoned leg and played in only 3 matches. Before sailing to the US, Bruce was with friends in Cuba Street Wellington when he thought he saw that the team’s transport, SS Willochra was to sail at 15:00. It was then 14:55. Running down the road he hailed a taxi and raced to the wharf. On arrival, he learnt that his original idea that sailing was at 17:00 was correct. Played for NZ Army in the team that won the 1919 King’s Cup against teams from the RAF, Mother Country, Canada, South African Forces and the AIF. He then toured SA with the NZ Army team in 1919, when he played in 12 of the 15 matches. He played 10 games for the All Blacks, including 5 internationals. He also represented Wellington at cricket; scored 200 runs in a club match. He was one of the few people to play in Wellington teams to win both the Ranfurly (rugby) and Plunkett (Cricket) Shields. He died on 20 October 1970, in Wellington
