Bernard (Bernie) Bruton, an Engadine resident for 67 years and World War II veteran, has died aged 96.
Born in Cumnock near Orange in 1921, Bernie was the youngest of seven siblings.
His father Abel, was a share farmer in the district but died when Bernie was 12-year-old forcing the family to move to Sydney.
This meant Bernie had to leave school at 14 year-old to get a job to help support them.
“Bernie lived through the Great Depression. He had little formal education but gained a degree in life,” his son, Brian said.
Following the start of World War II Bernie joined the Citizens Military forces in 1941 until 1942, when joined the Australian army at the age of 21.
Bernie’s Regiment went back and forwards to Western Australia as the Government thought that Australia may have been attacked by Japan from the West.
He was eventually posted to active service for over one year in Papua New Guinea as a member the 4th Field Regiment where he served as a Staff Sergeant in the Artillery.
Joining the army meant he had a regular income for the first time in his life.
On his return to Australia he suffered with malaria and other illnesses which he contracted whilst in New Guinea.
Bernie moved to Engadine in 1951, where he bought a block of land and built hisown house on the Old Princess Highway.
He and his wife Marie had five children, and were active in the life of the Engadine Parish, and in the development of St Patrick’s College Sutherland.
Following his return from active service, he was trained by the PMG (later Telecom) where he worked for most of his working life other than a short time with Customs.
Bernie’s love of life was infectious and he was never shy of a political comment or sharing an opinion about an issue of the day.
In his later years he would go up the Engadine township daily and chat to whomever crossed his path, full of laughter and good cheer.
Legally blind and hard of hearing for the last 10 years of his life, he lived on his own after the death of his wife Marie, and was seldom heard to complain about his health, demonstrating the tenacity of the Anzac spirit.
He was a member of the Engadine RSL Sub-branch and marched every Anzac Day except for the past two years.
Bernie’s passing on March 28 has left the Engadine with one less of its earlier pioneers.