His formative years were spent in the Malvern Hills, Worcestershire, an area which always held a deep affection for him and played a part in his musical development. Another strong influence on him was the Quaker school he attended there. Anyone who knew Bruce can vouch for his strong sense of right and wrong and the importance of each individual. His work for organisations, such as St Dismas in Southampton and the Samaritans was invaluable. A man respected by so many, could do much for such worthy, charitable organisations who work with those often just on the edge of psychiatric services.