PORT ELGIN, N.B. — The wail of the bagpipes was a fitting accompaniment for the arrival of Bruce Anderson, a one-time member of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders, who marked his 100th birthday on Saturday.
Children and grandchildren, friends and members of Cape Tormentine Legion Branch #81 gathered at Westford Nursing Home in Port Elgin to celebrate the occasion. The bagpiper was current North Nova Scotia Highlander Tyler Aucoin, who travelled from Halifax to honour a fellow Highlander on his centennial.
Anderson was born on Jan. 18, 1920, the son of Gladys and Lt.-Col. Boyd Anderson. The family, who trace their roots to the Port Elgin area, also included an older sister Joan. The Andersons lived for many years in Moncton, where Boyd was city clerk while also prominent in local civic and military affairs. He had served in the First World War in both the Canadian army and the RCAF, during which he was awarded the Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG), Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Victorian Decoration (VD) by the British government for service in battle during the war.
Bruce Anderson grew up in Moncton, enjoying many summers at the family cottage in Pointe-du-Chêne. He joined the Canadian army infantry and during his 25 years of military service rose to the same rank as his father, Lt.-Co., as a member of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. He married his wife Evelyn in 1948 and the couple went on to have two sons, Boyd, now a financial advisor in Moncton; and Ian, a retired trauma surgeon with the Canadian military, who served two terms in Afghanistan and now lives in Calgary; as well as five grandchildren. Evelyn passed away in 2019 at the age of 97.
In 1967, Bruce was appointed as aide-de-camp to Governor General Roland Michener and from 1974-1979 was also aide-de-camp to then Governor General Jules Leger. In 1971 he was named Honourary Lt.-Col. of the Second Battalion of the Royal New Brunswick Regiment. Upon his military retirement, Bruce subsequently became manager of Royal Trust Co. in Fredericton, where the couple lived for many years before retiring to the Moncton area.
“My parents had a very good life. They had good health for many years and travelled a lot – they took many cruises. It’s a special day today to honour them; a milestone, my father’s 100th birthday,” his son Boyd said Saturday.
Bruce received numerous birthday wishes, including messages from Queen Elizabeth II, Governor-General Julie Payette, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, and Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen, who was also on hand for a birthday visit with the centenarian.
A long life lived, Bruce said simply he’s had a good life and is now happy to relax and enjoy seeing his family when they visit.
