Bidspirit auction | Victoria Cross winner Charles Rutherford

Victoria Cross winner Charles Rutherford VC signed piece and biography. Charles Smith Rutherford VC, MC, MM (9 February 1892 - 11 June 1989) was a Canadian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. The Cover is in very Good Condition He 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 not published until after that of his VC, in a supplement to the London Gazette of 10 January 1919 (dated 11 January 1919): As our right flank was ”in the air” for over 4,000 yards, this officer was detailed with his platoon and a Tank to clear up a village. This he did most successfully, killing a large number of the enemy and taking several prisoners. The coolness and determination which he displayed in clearing up the village and his marked control over his men at all times cannot be too highly commended. Rutherford was 26 years old serving in the 4th 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. Good condition. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide.