Rev David Rutherford MC was the minister of St Fillan’s from 1949 to 1975, we remember him as he wrote the church guide book but he had also been an Army Chaplain.
Captain David Rutherford was awarded the Military Cross. He told the Sunday School, he got it for telling jokes. The National Archives were searched and the recommendation from his commanding officer found – it is reproduced here.
The Military Cross is granted in recognition of “an act or acts of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land” to all members of the British Armed Forces of any rank.
In the SFERRO bridgehead when movement by day was almost impossible owing to enemy fire, he found his way daily from one slit trench to another in the most forward posts bringing comfort to men who were greatly in need of it. Whether by anecdote, a handful of cigarettes, or other comfort he brought new life into men who were physically and mentally exhausted.
It was on one such mission on 20 July 43 that the Rev. Rutherford was badly wounded in the foot and lost a toe. He was not the only one wounded and although his own wound was a serious one, he refused to allow himself to be attended to until the wounds of the others had been treated.
By his devotion to duty and his selflessness, Rev. Rutherford was a shining example of what a Padre should be. The men of the battalion found inspiration in everything he did.