Alexander Rutherford

Menin Gate Memorial. Authors image

3307 Private

1st Battalion Royal Scots, 81st Infantry Brigade, 27th Division

Age: 21

Date of Death: 24.2.15

Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 11

https://www.theypressalient.com/post/menin-gate-memorial 

Family history: Son of Alexander and Margaret Rutherford, 16 Gairdoch Terrace, Bainsford, Falkirk. He had a brother and five sisters. Prior to enlisting as a Special Reservist on 19 August 1914, he was employed as a moulder in a local iron foundry.

The action leading to his death

On the 24 February 1915, the battalion relieved the 2nd Battalion Cameron Highlanders in the line at St Eloi. This area was a mining hot spot with each side blowing mines and countermines. The front line ran through the houses of the village. By the end of 1915, 33 mines and 31 camouflets had been blown by both sides around The Mound, the high ground that stood to the north of the village, and was formed by the spoil from the old brickworks, was ten metres high and 100 metres across. Read more about the mine warfare at St Eloi here https://www.theypressalient.com/post/st-eloi-mine 

Linesman map showing the mine craters at St Eloi and the Mound in 1916

The War Diary records that the battalion worked on trench improvement and improving the defences of the Mound working alongside the Royal Engineers. They were relieved by the 2nd Cameron Highlanders on 26 February and the War Diary records that they had ‘11 men killed, 18 wounded in the two day’s they were in the line.’ William’s grave was subsequently lost and he is listed as missing on the Menin Gate Memorial.

IWM Q 52004 A British trench in the ruins of St. Eloi, May 1915.

He would have know Private William Main from Falkirk who was killed when in the trenches during this time. https://www.theypressalient.com/post/william-main

Medals Awarded

1915 Star, British Medal, Victory Medal