James Wealleans Rutherford

Forename(s):
James Wealleans

Surname:
Rutherford

Initial(s):
J W

Service Number:
27770

Rank:
Private

Regiment:
Northumberland Fusiliers, 13th (Service) Battalion

Died:
04/07/1916

Aged:
21

Buried:
Thiepval Memorial

Service History:
Enlisted at Wylam, Northumberland.

Rutherford joined his battalion on the Western Front early in 1916. From March to June 1916 the battalion held the Fricourt sector on the Somme. On 1 July 1916 the Battles of the Somme began & the battalion was in action north of Fricourt for four days.

In the early hours of 1 July the battalion moved forward & by noon, despite heavy resistance, were in captured German trenches. On the night of 1-2 July parties from all four Companies, each of 3 officers & 100 other ranks, moved forward across No Man's Land but they sustained casualties from machine gun fire. Other parties, each of 50 men, moved to & from with rations & ammunition for the front line. On the night of 2-3 July the battalion was heavily shelled. The following day they were called upon to repel a counter-attack, & were able to outflank the enemy & capture 30 prisoners. They held onto the captured trenches until relieved on 4 July.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 46)

Background:
Born in 1893, at Alwinton, Northumberland, the youngest of five children born to Thomas Rutherford (a native of Coldstream, Berwickshire, Scotland; a Shepherd), by his wife, Margaret Rutherford (née Weallens).

By 1911 the family were living at Eshott Park, Northumberland.

Pre-enlistment occupation: Farm Labourer.
(Source: 'Felton War Memorial: The Men behind the names'; Eleanor George [formerly Hall]; 2009; p. 46)

Local Memorial:
Felton War Memorial incorporating Acton, Eshott, Swarland & Thirston