'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: 1 January 1918

Regimental number	6/718
Date of birth	30 November 1890
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	13 August 1914
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 16 October 1914
	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 19 October 1918
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: 1 January 1918
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