William Ruthven

William Ruthven VC (21 May 1893 - 12 January 1970) was an Australian 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 [Australians would now be awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia, but this was not instituted until 1991] forces.

VC action

He was 24 years old, and a sergeant in the 22nd Battalion, (Victoria), Australian Imperial Force during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC. The full citation for his actions appeared in a supplement to the London Gazette of 9 July 1918 (dated 11 July 1918): [LondonGazette|issue=30790|startpage=8155|endpage=8156|date=9 July 1918|accessdate=2007-12-14]

cquote|"War Office, 11th July, 1918."

His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers and Non-Commissioned Officer: —

[...]

No. 1946 Sjt. William Ruthven, A.I.F.

For most conspicuous bravery and initiative in action. During the advance Sjt. Ruthven's company suffered numerous casualties, and his company commander was severely wounded. He thereupon assumed command of this portion of the assault, took charge of the company headquarters, and rallied the section in his vicinity.

As the leading wave approached its objective it was subjected to heavy fire from an enemy machine-gun at close range. Without hesitation he at once sprang out, threw a bomb which landed beside the post, and rushed the position, bayoneting one of the crew and capturing the gun. He then encountered some of the enemy coming out of ashelter. He wounded two, captured six others in the same position, and handed them over to an escort from the leading wave, which had now reached the objective.

Sjt. Ruthven then reorganised the men in his vicinity and established a post in the second objective.

Observing enemy movement in a sunken road near by, he, without hesitation and armed only with a revolver, went over the open alone and rushed the position, shooting two enemy who refused to come out of their dug-outs.

He then single-handed mopped up this post and captured the whole of the garrison, amounting in all to thirty-two, and kept them until assistance arrived to escort them back to our lines.

During the remainder of the day this gallant non-commissioned officer set a splendid example of leadership, moving up and down his position under fire, supervising consolidation and encouraging his men.

Throughout the whole operation he showed the most magnificent courage and determination, inspiring everyone by his fine fighting spirit, his remarkable courage, and his dashing action.

Later years

Ruthven later achieved the rank of major. His Victoria Cross is displayed at the Australian War Memorial "(Canberra, Australia)".

He sat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1945 until 1955 as the Australian Labor Party member for Electoral district of Preston, then following a redistribution represented the Electoral district of Reservoir until his retirement in 1961.cite web
url=http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A110497b.htm
title=Ruthven, William (1893 - 1970) Biographical Entry - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online
publisher=www.adb.online.anu.edu.au
accessdate=2008-06-16] The Ruthven Soldiers' Club in Broadmeadows had been opened in his honour in 1959, and in 1963 a new railway station near Reservoir was named after him.

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*VCs of the First World War - Spring Offensive 1918 (Gerald Gliddon, 1997)

External links

* [http://www.ozemail.com.au/~vcweb/winners/ruthven.htm RUTHVEN W.]
* [http://www.iol.net.au/~conway/vicross/ruthven.html Sergeant W Ruthven] "(photo, brief details)"