The AIF Project

William Thomas RUTHERFORD

Regimental number6565
Place of birthBrighton Le Sands New South Wales
ReligionPresbyterian
OccupationElectrician
AddressWensley, Birrell Street, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinFather, W J Rutherford, Wensley, Birrell Street, Bondi, Sydney, New South Wales
Enlistment date5 June 1916
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name2nd Battalion, 21st Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/19/3
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT A40 Ceramic on 7 October 1916
Rank from Nominal RollLance Corporal
Unit from Nominal Roll2nd Battalion
FateReturned to Australia 31 May 1919
Medals

Military Medal

'During our operation east of HESBECOURT on the 18th September, 1918, L/Cpl RUTHERFORD who is No. 1 on Lewis Machine Gun never missed an opportunity of engaging all available enemy targets and showed great dash and daring in advancing against two enemy Machine Guns that held up his Platoon; these he engaged at very short range and he was responsible for putting one out of action whilst he engaged the other until a bombing party worked around the flank; his team was always under excellent control and maintained splendid direction throughout most difficult conditions. In the vicinity of HARGICOURT his work in advancing with his Machine Gun team under very heavy Machine Gun fire was of a very high order. His qualities of leadership, coolness under fire, and utter contempt for danger cannot be spoken of too highly.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 115
Date: 10 October 1919

Family/military connectionsBrother: 6564 Pte Alfred Stratton RUTHERFORD, 2nd Bn, returned to Australia, 18 July 1919.
Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.