Joseph Malcolm RUTHERFORD

RUTHERFORD, Joseph Malcolm

Service Number: 6
Enlisted: Not yet discovered
Last Rank: Not yet discovered
Last Unit: 7th Infantry Battalion
Born: Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia, 1883
Home Town: Collingwood, Yarra, Victoria
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Various jobs
Died: Dementia, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia, 6 August 1963
Cemetery: Fawkner Memorial Park Cemetery, Victoria
Memorials:
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World War 1 Service

19 Oct 1914: Involvement 6, 7th Infantry Battalion, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '9' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Hororata embarkation_ship_number: A20 public_note: ''
19 Oct 1914: Embarked 6, 7th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Hororata, Melbourne

Joseph Malcolm RUTHERFORD

Joseph Malcolm Rutherford was the sixth child to James Smyth Rutherford an immigrant from Ireland who arrived c1864 and settled in Campbelltown NSW. Joseph’s mother Catherine [nee SHAW} was the second wife to James Rutherford and were married in 1882. [Sydney Reg No 1116/1882] and Joseph Malcolm was born 1883 in Campbelltown NSW [Reg No 13820/1883].

The Rutherford family moved to Melbourne c1900 and lived in and around Collingwood. This is likely where Joseph met his future wife Thurza Harriet [nee Low] and after marrying her in 1902 [ Victoria records 8434 / 1902 ] had five children.

On 6 September 1914, Joseph enlisted in the AIF aged 32 in Broadmeadows and became the Pioneer Sergeant and was posted to the 7th Battalion. In 19th October 1914 he boarded the HMAT Hororata in Melbourne and embarked on his journey to the fight.

He participated in the second wave of landings on the 25th of April 1915 at Gallipoli. Evading rapid fire, Joseph and his mates scaled the ridges and began digging in. He then participated in the devastating attacks at Krithia and at Lone Pine, during the August Offensives. After the Gallipoli Campaign was called off, the Anzacs were back in Egypt by the beginning of January 1916 and left In March 1916 for the Western Front .

The 7th Battalion also saw action during the Somme Offensive, fighting at PoziÃres. In 1917 the 7th Battalion was engaged in heavy fighting as the Germans were withdrawing to the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt.
Joseph was well respected and was mentioned in dispatches to the Commander-in-Chief General Sir Douglas Haig for his consistent valour and bravery under fire. His efforts were described as 'indefatigable and fearless.' Later in the year,
Joseph and his Battalion participated in the Third Battle of Ypres. In early 1918 Joseph was transported back to England and for being one of the first 50 enlisted was granted some special Leave to see his family.

Unfortunately, soon after arriving he became aware that his wife had left the house they previously shared with their 5 children and moved in with her new partner. Devasted Joseph applied for and was granted his divorce in rapid time. This was widely recorded in many papers at that time. [Kalgoorlie Miner (WA : 1895 - 1954), Friday 19 July 1918, page 3].

It was reported in the papers that Joseph was expecting to return back to the front at any time, however soon after his divorce he was honourably discharged from military service in late August. Joseph was again mentioned in the local papers [Wed 31 July 1929] has being a contractor and residing in Edward Street, East Brunswick.

Joseph married a second time to Mary Keane in 1938 [Victorian Records 12773 / 1938]

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