Captain John Rutherford MC

Dr John Rutherford MC know as 'Sandy' was the medical officer for 3rd Para Bn HQ Coy RAP, from November 1941 all the way through their operations in N.Africa, Sicily, Italy and Arnhem. 

He volunteered for the airborne forces from The RAMC and was successfully parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 4. This course consisted of 2 jumps from a balloon and 5 from aircraft. It ran between 17 - 23 December 1941. 

He played rugby for his university and continued to play for the 3rd Bn. During operations in N. Africa he looked after the wounded through-out this challenging campaign. Later in Sicily(Op. Fustian) after being dropped 3 miles away from the objective, he led his team to safely and tended casualties under heavy fire. Twice he had to move his aid post and finally, when the time came for withdrawal, he did not leave until he had made sure that all those who could not be moved had been had placed in a secure place. For his bravery shown during this action he was awarded a Military Cross.

At Arnhem in September 1944 he was still RMP with the 3rd Parachute Battalion and was with them on Tiger route and were held up on the first day and some miles from their objective the Arnhem road bridge. So the RAP set themselves up in a large abandoned house in the outskirts of Oosterbeek. Captain J. Rutherford  the RMO and his staff were attending to the increasing number of wounded who were arriving. Sergeant R. Smith recalls Captain Rutherford breaking from his duties and started looking through the local telephone directory. After a few moments he dialled a number which turned out to be the St Elisabeth’s Hospital and was soon talking to Lt-Colonel Townsend. Between them they were able to arrange for the collection of the wounded.

Later on that evening a message was received asking for reinforcements at the bridge, so while the rest of the 3rd Battalion's RAP stayed in the house, Captain Rutherford ordered a few members - including Corporal George Bryning and Privates Bill Gilbert and Jock Madigan - to try and reach the road bridge to help out. Later in the battle the 3rd Battalion reached western Arnhem but were unable to reach the road bridge. They suffered heavy casualties and Sandy and a few others ended up in the SEH where he stayed until taken prisoner. He ended up in Oflag 79 until liberated. His POW number was 90971. 

After the War he worked for 30 years as a GP in Duston near Northampton, until his retirement. He is survived by 2 daughter and 5 grandchildren.