From here, he moved to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, to complete his officer's training before entering combat during the Great War.

He was 24 years old, and a Lieutenant[1] in the 59th Scinde Rifles, British Indian Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

His citation reads: The late Lieutenant William Arthur McCrae Bruce, 59th Scinde Rifles (Frontier Force), Indian Army.

On the 19th December, 1914, near Givenchy, during a night attack, Lieutenant Bruce was in command of a small party which captured one of the enemy's trenches.

The fire from rifles and bombs was very heavy all day, and it was due to the skilful disposition made, and the example and encouragement shown by Lieutenant Bruce that his men were able to hold out until dusk, when the trench was finally captured by the enemy.