The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
- Rutherford
- First Name:
- John Maurice
- Nick Name:
- Rusty
- Rank:
- Sergeant (Promoted on 12.2.1942)
- Regimental #:
- WX10785
- Classification:
- Signaller
- Company:
- Headquarters Company, 1 Platoon
- Enlisted:
- 5.01.1941
- DOB:
- 21.11.1920
- Place of Birth:
- Maylands, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
- Harold Francis Walton Rutherford
- Mothers's Name:
- Elsie Alice Mary Rutherford
- Religion:
- Methodist
- Pre-war Occupation:
- Salesman
- Memorial:
- Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Plot 1, Row M, Grave 68, Age 22.
- Singapore:
- Selarang Camp and Barracks Changi
- Force:
- ‘D’ Force Thailand, V Battalion
- Camps Thailand:
- Kinsaiyok, Brankassi, Hindain, Kuii, Chungkai
- POW#:
- 1/9175 & 2216
- Cause of Death:
- Cardiac Beri-Beri
- Place of Death:
- Chungkai
- Date of Death:
- 13.10.1943
- Buried:
- Grave No. 676, Chungkai
General Description
Rutherford had enlisted with 28th Btn Militia, W9765 16 Dec 1938.
He enlisted AIF 15 Jan 1941 and joined HQ Company No. 1 Platoon as Sgt to CO Lt Curnow.
NCO was promoted to Sergeant posthumously. This is due to the fact that Lieutenant Curnow, Lt Royce and Sergeant Hansen were all killed in action on Hill 200 12 Feb 1941 and Corporal Rutherford had taken over command of the No 1 Signals Platoon.
Tragically ‘Rusty’ Rutherford died of illness at Chungkai Hospital Camp having been evacuated from Burma-Thai Railway with ‘D’ Force Thailand V Battalion 13 Oct 1943. He was promoted to Sergeant posthumously.
Read of Rutherford’s friendship
Rusty Rutherford was selected at Singapore to work on the Burma-Thailand Railway with ‘D’ Force V Battalion.
This Battalion was to endure the highest death rate of all ‘D’ Force and the highest working on the Railway. This Force of men suffered terrible working and living conditions, Japanese brutality, overwork, tropical illnesses and starvation.
Please read further about ‘D’ Force V Battalion
Rusty was evacuated sick from Burma-Thai Railway to Chungkai Hospital Camp where he died of cardiac beri beri on 13 October 1943 at the very young age of 22 years.
Camp Locations:
- Selarang Barracks Changi - Singapore
- Selarang Camp Changi - Singapore
- Brankassi, Prang Kasi, 208k - Thailand
- Chungkai, 60k - Thailand
- Hindaine, Kui Mang 200k - Thailand
- Kinsaiyok Main, 170.2k - Thailand
- Kuii, Kui Yae, 185.6k - Thailand