Australian Victoria Cross Recipient
Sergeant William Ruthven
Unit
22nd Battalion
Born
21 May 1893 at Collingwood, Victoria
Date of action
19 May 1918
Place
Ville-sur-Ancre, France
Details
During the advance on Ville-sur-Ancre, on 19 May 1918, Ruthven’s company suffered many casualties and his company commander was severely wounded. Ruthven then assumed command of company headquarters and thus effectively led this part of the assault. As the leading wave approached its objective it encountered heavy machine-gun fire so Ruthven, without hesitation, bombed the post, rushed the position and bayoneted one of the crew and captured the gun. He then encountered some enemy coming out of a shelter. He wounded two of the enemy and took another six prisoners. He reorganised the men in his vicinity and established a post on the second objective. When he observed enemy movement in a sunken road nearby he went over armed only with a revolver. He shot two enemy who refused to come out of their dug outs and then, single-handedly, mopped up the post, capturing thirty-two men. During the remainder of the day he moved up and down the position, ignoring the enemy fire, and supervised the consolidation and encouraged his men.
Died
12 January 1970
Buried or Commemorated
Plaque at Fawkner Crematorium, Melbourne
Current location of the VC
Australian War Memorial