BRUCE, WILLIAM [SSNE 1675]
- Surname
- BRUCE
- First name
- WILLIAM
- Title/rank
- MAJOR-GENERAL
- Nationality
- SCOT
- Region
- STIRLING
- Social status
- OFFICER
- Education
- Religion
Text source
William Bruce (c.1625-1680)came from the Clackmannan branch of the family. In 1647 he joined Tsar's army as ensign having been enlisted in the Dutch Republic. Fought and wounded in Polish and Swedish wars. Having fought in many wars for Tsar Michael, Bruce was appointed a colonel in 1658. Bruce's regiment garrisoned the frontier garrison of Pskov and after Tsar Fedor came to the throne he gained further promotion to Major General c.1676. He married the widow of a fellow Scot, Col. Inglis. Their children were Robert (born 1668), James (born 1669) and Elizabeth.D. Fedosov, The First Russian Bruces in G. Simpson (ed.), The Scottish Soldier Abroad, 1247-1967 (Edinburgh, 1992), p.56; D. Fedosov, The Caledonian Connection (Aberdeen, 1996). p.13.
Service record
- THE DUTCH REPUBLIC, THE DUTCH REPUBLIC
- Arrived 1646-01-01
- Departed 1647-12-31
- Capacity REFUGEE?, purpose REFUGEE?
- RUSSIA, RUSSIAN ARMY
- Arrived 1647-01-01, as ENSIGN
- Departed 1658-12-31, as COLONEL
- Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY