Rutherford, Richard Henry

912 Sergeant Richard Henry Rutherford - 44th Battalion AIF

Richard Henry Rutherford was born in Nhill Victoria on the 27th February 1893 to Charles and Henrietta Rutherford. He was one of several children and the family soon moved to Western Australia and took up residence in Fremantle. The family lived at 120 Duke Street (now 50 Duke) then 170 Marmion Street East Fremantle (later renumbered 97 Marmion).

Richard completed his education in Fremantle during which time he also served for five years in the Naval Cadets.

Sadly in 1910 his mother Henrietta died in Fremantle.

After leaving school Richard took up employment with the WA Government Railways as an Engine Fitter.

On the 28th December 1915 Richard enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. He was found to be fit for enlistment, with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 7 & 1/2 inches tall;

Weight - 129lbs;

Chest Measurement - 34-36 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Brown;

Hair - Brown.

Upon his successful enlistment Richard was sent to Claremont Showgrounds Camp and was assigned to the Machine Gun Section of the 44th Battalion AIF. He trained with this group in WA through the next few months and in early June their embarkation orders arrived.

However before he embarked Richard married his sweetheart, Florence May Attle at St John's Church in Fremantle. Their address for a short time was 93 Market Street Fremantle, which was her dress making shop.

On the 6^th June 1916 the 44^th Battalion boarded the HMAT Suevic and set sail for England, reaching Plymouth on the 21^st July 1916. After being disembarked the men were sent to the 3^rd Division Training ground on the Salisbury Plains. During the training period in England Richard was promoted to Corporal.

On the 25^th November 1916 the 44th battalion left England, they arrived at Southampton and boarded a transport ship which took them across to France. They then took up their first position on the Western Front in the Armentieres sector. Richard had a few months in this sector with the 44^th Battalion as they became accustomed to life on the Western Front. In January 1917 Richard was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

In late March 1917 the 44^th Battalion, as part of the 3^rd Division, were transferred north to Belgium where they took up positions in the Ploegsteert sector.

The 3^rd Division would soon be involved in the planned assault at Messines which was scheduled for June 7^th 1917. However there was much preparation to be done before the attack could proceed and the 3^rd Division undertook many trench raids on the German units opposite them. Sadly, in one such raid Richard's younger brother Charlie Rutherford was killed. 

Richard survived the opening phase of the Battle of Messines but on the 24th June 1917 was wounded by shrapnel in his leg and thigh. He was evacuated back to the 22nd General Hospital at Camiers. He only had three days there and was then shipped to England.

Upon arriving in England, Richard was admitted to the Edmonton Military Hospital. Fortunately, the wound was not severe and by the 12th July 1917 Richard was released from hospital. He was then given a two week furlough and then reported for duty to Codford Camp on the 26th July 1917.

Richard spent a month here and on the 27th August 1917 was sent to the Overseas Training Brigade Camp at Longbridge Deverell. He had a few more weeks here then returned to France on the 17th September 1917. Richard then spent a week at the 3rd Australian Division Base Depot at Rouelles. He then went to Belgium and rejoined the 44th Battalion near Ypres on the 29th September 1917.

Richard rejoined his unit in time for their actions in the Third Battle of Ypres. He saw action with his unit at Zonnebeke, Broodseinde Ridge and Passchendaele through October and November 1917 and came through unscathed.

From December 1917 to March 1918 the 44th battalion were helping to hold sections of the front line in Belgium between Ypres and Messines. As a result of the German offensive of March 21st 1918 which broke through the British line further south in France, the Australian Divisions in Belgium were sent south to the Somme to help stop this German advance.

The 44th battalion, as part of the 3rd Division were set to the Somme River region near Sailly Laurette and Sailly le Sec. When they arrived near Corbie, the position was uncertain so the 44th Battalion advanced and ran into the Germans near Sailly Laurette. Though they sustained heavy casualties, they also managed to stop the Germans advance. During this action on the 28th March 1918 Richard was shot through the groin while advancing.

He was able to get back for medical care and was taken by stretcher bearers to the 11th Field Ambulance. After being patched up he was sent to the Casualty Clearing Station and had more treatment there before being put on an ambulance train and was sent to the 24th General Hospital at Etaples. Richard had three days in this hospital and was then shipped to England.

On arrival in England, Richard was admitted to the City of London War Hospital in Clapton. He was a patient here from the 3rd April to the 24th June 1918. Richard was then transferred to the 3rd Australian Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. He then spent another four months in this hospital recovering.

On the 10th October 1918 Richard was finally well enough to be released from hospital and was given a two week furlough. He then reported into No.1 Command Depot Camp at Sutton Veny.

Richard would wait here until he received a berth on a ship home. Armistice Day came and went until finally on the 22nd December 1918 Richard boarded the ship Bakara and set sail for home, arriving back in Fremantle on the 5th February 1919.

After being disembarked Richard was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital in South Terrace Fremantle for further medical treatment.

Richard was discharged from the AIF on the 25th March 1919.

After returning home, Richard and Florence had two children, Henry in 1919 and Florence in 1921.

They soon moved to Mundaring where Richard found work as a Shift Engineer.

In World War Two Richard enlisted for service again (W47976) and served in the Swan Battalion of the Volunteer Defence Corps. He served as a Lieutenant in the Swan Battalion between 1942 to 1945. His WW2 service was within WA.

His son Henry also served in WW2 and was a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Australian Air Force, surviving the war.

Richard Rutherford died in Mt Pleasant WA on the 28th December 1962 aged 69. He was buried in Karrakatta Cemetery plot Anglican ZS 0346.