Geoffrey Bruce

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn Geoffrey•Bruce
Used nameGeoffrey•Bruce
Born4 December 1896 in St Hilary, Wales (GBR)
Died31 January 1972 in Bridport, England (GBR)
NOC Great Britain
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Major-general Geoffrey Bruce was a cousin of Charles Granville Bruce, leader of the 1922 Everest expedition that won the Olympic Alpinism gold medal in 1924. Like his uncle, Geoffrey also had a distinguished Army career in India, and was Deputy Chief of General Staff, India, 1944-46 and later the General Officer Commanding, Lahore district.

Although not a trained climber, Bruce went on the 1922 expedition as a transport officer. Both Bruce and the Australian George Finch, however, managed to get to within half a mile of the summit until a severe storm saw them abandon their attempt and drop to a lower altitude, suffering from frost bite.

Educated at Rugby School before being commissioned into the Glamorgan Yeomanry in 1914, during World War I Bruce saw service in Egypt and Palestine and took part in the third Afghan War of 1919. He later commanded the 6th Gurkhas, and in the early part of World War II was Brigadier General Staff in France and Norway, and was Deputy Director of Military Operations, India 1940-41. He led the British Military Mission to China in 1942. Bruce was awarded the Military Cross in 1923 and Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1936.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1924 Winter Olympics Alpinism GBR Geoffrey Bruce
Alpinism, Open (Olympic) Mixed team 1 Gold

Olympic family relations