Charles Smith Rutherford
| Charles Smith Rutherford | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 9 February 1892 Colborne, Ontario |
| Died | 11 June 1989 (age 97) Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Buried at | Union Cemetery, Colborne |
| Allegiance |
 Canada
|
| Service/branch | Canadian Expeditionary Force |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit |
5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles Veterans Guard of Canada |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Military Cross Military Medal |
| Other work | Sergeant-at-Arms |
Charles Smith Rutherford VC, MC, MM (9 February 1892 – 11 June 1989) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Rutherford was born on a farm in Colborne, Ontario on 9 January 1892. He joined The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 1916 and was posted to the 5th Battalion.
He began his service in the ranks, and as a sergeant was awarded the Military Medal on 23 February 1918. After being commissioned, he was also awarded the Military Cross, the full citation was not published until after that of his VC, in a supplement to the London Gazette of 10 January 1919 (dated 11 January 1919):
As our right flank was " in the air " for over 4,000 yards, this officer was detailed with his platoon and a Tank to clear up a village. This he did most successfully, killing a large number of the enemy and taking several prisoners. The coolness and determination which he displayed in clearing up the village and his marked control over his men at all times cannot be too highly commended.
Rutherford was 26 years old serving in the 4th Battle of the Scarpe near Monchy, France when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 26 August 1918, while commanding an assaulting party, he found himself a considerable distance ahead of his men and at the same moment saw a fully armed strong enemy party outside a pill-box in front of him. By masterly bluff he managed to persuade the enemy that they were surrounded and the whole party of 45, including two officers and three machine-guns, surrendered. The lieutenant then observed that gun fire from another pill-box was holding up the assault, so with a Lewis gun section he attacked it capturing another 35 prisoners and their guns. The full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 12 November 1918 (dated 15 November 1918):
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