Sergeant William Ruthven, 22nd Battalion, Victoria Cross
action at Ville-sur-Ancre , France
William "Rusty" Ruthven was born at Collingwood,
Melbourne, and was a mechanic in the timber industry before enlisting in April
1915. After serving on Gallipoli he went to France ,
where he was wounded in April 1916.
During an attack near Ville-sur-Ancre on 19 May 1918 , Ruthven performed
outstanding acts of bravery. He took command of a company after the
officer commanding was wounded, and personally assaulted enemy strongpoints.
Throughout the successful action, he led by example, inspiring and encouraging
his men. During the mopping-up and consolidation, he captured 32 Germans.
Ruthven was commissioned in July 1918 and discharged in
December. He became a soldier-settler for a while, but returned to Collingwood
and became a local councillor. During the Second World War he served in
garrison battalions, reaching the rank of major. From 1945 to 1961 he was a
member of the Victorian parliament.
pretty cool....coming from humble beginnings....someone taught him well enough to be ready in that moment...to be brave and lead
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