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.

 

Cosson, Ted, Wilkinson, Merv & Rutherford, Rus;ty

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.

Rutherfod

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
Back