Charles Smith Rutherford

Charles Smith Rutherford, (9 February 1892 – 11 June 1989) was a Canadian soldier and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Early years Rutherford was born on a farm in Colborne, Ontario, on 9 January 1892. He joined The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in 1916 and was posted to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, CEF.

First World War Rutherford began his service in the ranks, and as a sergeant was awarded the Military Medal on 23 February 1918. After being commissioned, he was also awarded the Military Cross, the full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 10 January 1919, reading:

Rutherford was 26 years old serving in the Battle of the Scarpe near Monchy, France, when he was awarded the Victoria Cross. On 26 August 1918, while commanding an assaulting party, he found himself a considerable distance ahead of his men and at the same moment saw a fully armed strong enemy party outside a pill-box in front of him. By masterly bluff, he managed to persuade the enemy that they were surrounded and the whole party of 45, including two officers and three machine-guns, surrendered. The lieutenant then observed that gunfire from another pill-box was holding up the assault, so with a Lewis gun section he attacked it capturing another 35 prisoners and their guns. The full citation was published in a supplement to the London Gazette of 12 November 1918 (dated 15 November 1918):

He later achieved the rank of captain.

Post-war Rutherford as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Ontario Legislature in 1937. From 1934 to 1940, Rutherford was the Sergeant at Arms of the Ontario Legislature when Mitchell Hepburn was Premier. He was the first sergeant to eject a member of the Legislature.

During the Second World War Rutherford served with the Veterans Guard of Canada, reaching the rank of captain.

C.S. Rutherford was the last recipient of the Victoria Cross from the First World War to die, on 11 June 1989 at the age of 97. He is buried at The Union Cemetery, Colborne, Ontario, Canada.

The location of Rutherford's medals is not public knowledge.