| Regimental number | 6/718 |
| Date of birth | |
| Place of birth | Masterton, Wairarapa |
| Religion | Church of England |
| Occupation | Mining engineer |
| Address | Reefton |
| Marital status | Single |
| Age at embarkation | 23 |
| Height | 6' 0.5" |
| Weight | 181 lbs |
| Next of kin | John Rutherford, Aramoho, Wanganui |
| Previous military service | 13th (North Canterbury and Westland) Regiment, Territorial Force (still serving at time of enlistment); Officer Training Corps Dunedin; Wellington College Cadets |
| Enlistment date | |
| Place of enlistment | Reefton, West Coast |
| Rank on embarkation | Lance Sergeant |
| Enlistment status | Volunteer |
| Unit name | New Zealand Expeditionary Force, Main Body, Canterbury Infantry Battalion |
| Embarkation details | Unit embarked from Wellington on |
| The Canterbury Infantry Battalion, Main Body, left New Zealand on board two ships, 'Tahiti' and 'Athenic'. It is not possible from the Nominal Roll to determine on which ship an individual embarked. | |
| Final rank | Captain |
| Final unit | 13th (North Canterbury & Westland) Company, 1st Battalion, Canterbury Infantry Regiment |
| Fate | Died of disease |
| Age at death from cemetery records | 28 |
| Place of burial | Tehran War Cemetery (Plot III, Row E, Grave No 8), Mesopotamia |
| Miscellaneous information from cemetery records | Surname listed on Roll of Honour as RUTHURFORD. Parents: John and Josephine Rutherford, Wartle, Hamilton East |
| Medals |
Military Cross 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 7th June 1917 at Messines this officer led his Company in the attack against the Brown line and his personal gallantry and fine example of coolness under heavy fire were largely responsible for the success of the attack in his sector. On the night of the 15/16th June, Captain Rutherford was in command of the party detailed to dig a communication trench from the old front line at St Ypres to the Au Chasseur Caberet. The party was under very heavy fire the whole time they were working, and again Captain Rutherford's bravery and total disregard of his own personal safety largely contributed to the successful carrying out of an extremely important operation.'
Source: 'London Gazette' Date: |
| Other details |
War service: Egypt, Gallipoli, Western Front, Mesopotamia, Persia Attached to Dunsterforce 1918. Medals: Military Cross, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal |
| Miscellaneous details | Nominal Roll Vol. 1: Canterbury Infantry Batln/Main Body |