Charles "Nish" Bruce
| Charles Bruce | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Charles Christian Cameron Bruce |
| Other name(s) | Tom Read |
| Born |
8 August 1956 Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire |
| Died | 8 January 2002 (aged 45) Fyfield, Oxfordshire |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1973–1988 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit |
2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (1973–78) The Red Devils (Parachute Regiment) (1978–82) 22 Special Air Service (1982–88) |
| Battles/wars | Northern Ireland (The Troubles) Falklands War |
| Awards | Queen's Gallantry Medal |
| Other work | Professional Skydiver, Author & Fixed Wing/Helicopter Pilot |
Sergeant Charles Christian Cameron "Nish" Bruce QGM (8 August 1956 – 8 January 2002) was a former British Army soldier and high altitude military parachuting expert.
He served with 22 (SAS) Special Air Service in the Falklands War, on anti-drug operations in South and Central America and in Northern Ireland. He was awarded the Queen's Gallantry Medal, the South Atlantic Medal, and the General Service Medal.
In the early 1990s he worked on a 'Skydive from Space' project, planning to break the record set by Joe Kittinger in the 1960s, but suffered a mental breakdown. He documented his struggle to recovery in his 1998 autobiography, "Freefall", but committed suicide by jumping from his plane in 2002.
Bruce was born in Chipping Norton in 1956, middle son of Ewen Anthony Guy Cameron Bruce. He was the paternal grandson of Major Ewen Cameron Bruce (of Blaen-y-cwm).
Bruce joined the Parachute Regiment in 1973 at age 17 and in 1978 spent 4 years with The Red Devils Display Team participating in test jumping, international exhibitions and competitions before passing SAS selection and joining 22 SAS in April 1982.
Bruce served with 22 SAS B Squadron, 7 (Air) Troop from 1982–1986 and spent 2 years (1986–1988) with G Squadron, 24 (Air)Troop. While with B Squadron 7 Troop, he served with Al Slater, Frank Collins and Andy McNab. In a November 2008 interview with the Daily Telegraph, McNab described Bruce as 'one of my heroes.'
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