William "Rusty" Ruthven, VC was an Australian soldier and state Labor politician. For actions in the First World War he was an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallant
Major Ruthven during the Second World War
Second Lieutenant W. Ruthven, receiving the VC at a presentation ceremony held by Lieutenant General Sir John Monash, near Camon, France, July 1918.
Ruthven (front, right) with other VC recipients in Melbourne Anzac Day 1927.
The First Australian Imperial Force was the main expeditionary force of the Australian Army during the First World War. It was formed as the Australian Imperial Force on 15 August 1914 following Brita
William Ruthven (Australian soldier)
…educated locally at the Vere Street State School. He became a mechanical engineer and was employed in the timber industry prior to his enlistment in the Australian Imperial Force in April 1915 for service in the First World War. He stood only 168 centimetres (5 ft 6 in) tall, just above the minimum height requirement. Ruthven…
Unidentified members of the 5th Division, enjoying a smoko near Mametz, on the Somme in France, December 1916. Some are wearing slouch hats, steel helmets and woollen garments, demonstrating both the variety of official battledress, and how it was modified, for local conditions.
Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes (at left) with Lieutenant-General William Birdwood in early 1916
Soldiers from the 11th Battalion posing on the Great Pyramid of Giza, 1915.
Australian light horsemen