The following are my remarks made at the service to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Captain Charles S. Rutherford earning his Victoria Cross:
Today, we gather to honour a great man and his actions – Capt Charles S. Rutherford and the actions for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918 – 90 years ago. We are not gathered on the exact anniversary of him earning the VC but we are gathered mid way between his actions of August 9th, which earned him a Military Medal and those of August 26, 1918 for which he received the Victoria Cross.
Charlie, as he was known, was born in this area, raised here, spent part of his working life here, retired here and is buried in Union Cemetery, just north of where we stand today. The Legion hall just east of here proudly carries his name and honours his memory. When Charlie passed away in June 1989 he was laid to rest with full military honours, the last VC holder from WW1. The Legion took part and was host to almost 400 who came to mourn.
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