Historical information

Flying Officer Robert Bruce Tuff was reported missing over the English Channel during air operations, on the 22nd. February, 1944. A report was received by the RAAF in London that during a patrol, the Commanding Officer of the squadron was heard to say that he was going to ditch his plane, 8 miles north west of Guernsey. Later Flying Officed Tuff was heard to say that he had seen the CO injured in the water and that he was going to 'bale out' and help him. Neither Flying Officer Tuff or the Commanding Officer were ever found. His plane was observed diving into the ocean.
Robert Bruce Tuff attended Laurel Street Primary School, Golden Square for part of his primary years. He was the son of R. and M. Tuff of 125 Myrtle Street, Golden Square and the brother of Ken, Margaret and Beth.

Physical description

Black and white photo of Bruce Tuff: image shows young man, dressed in Airforce uniform. Head and shoulders portrait, mounted on buff board. Label on photo states 'this old photo was found in the loft when doing some renovations for our new staffroom (Laurel Street Primary School, Golden Square) Do you know this person?' Handwritten notes state 'Bay of Biscay' scholarship named after him. Bruce Tuff lived on corner of Maple/Panton St. and was killed in World War 2. See attached document, where he baled out of his plane over the English Channel, to try to rescue his commanding officer whose plane had crashed. Written on paper insert: Sister Margaret Tuff, Harley st., Bendigo, now Elliott. Ken Tuff younger, Beth Dungey, Harkness St.