Thomas Forster Rutledge RFC

[stevenbecker]

Mates,

I was after any details on this RFC officer you may have.

I understand he may have joinind the RFC as 2/Lt pre war from Australia or early in the war. Can you confirm and what date.

Do you know what Sqn's he served with during the war. I know he commanded 1 Sqn AFC between June 1916 and May 1917 but where was he before this and after.

I notice he finished the war as LtCol MC do you know how he was awarded the MC? and what his later career path was.

Thanks for any help

S.B

[Andrew Smith]

G'day Steve

What I have on Rutledge is;

Confirmed in rank 2 Lt. (On Probation) Source Supplement to LG Dec 10,1914

Appointed Lieut. Source Supplement to LG May 27, 1915

Appointed Temporary Captain Special Reserve - Source LG Oct 8, 1915

Marries Mildred Marion MANIFOLD on October 14, 1915. Source Times Oct 19, 1915

Appointed Squadron Commander, temp Major whilst employed May 15, 1916 Source LG May 26, 1916

Commands 1 AFC, 1 June 1916-23 May 1917 - Source Air Commodore Mark Lax

Awarded M.C. Source LG December 28, 1817

Sqdn. Comm—Capt. T. F. Rutledge, M.C., Spec. Res., to revert from a Wing Comdr., to relinquish the rank of temp. Lt.-Col., and to be temp. Maj. -whilst so empld. 8th Mar. 1918, with seniority from 15th May 1916. Source LG March 26, 1918

Resigns Commission May 1, 1918 Source LG April 30,1918.

Hope this is of help

Andrew.

[Dolphin]

Steve

Major T F Rutledge, born Warnambool, Victoria on 21 March 1887, commanded No 75 Sqn RFC from 28 July to 4 October 1917. No 75 Sqn was a Home Defence night fighter unit in No 50 Wing, equipped with the BE 2c, Be 2e, BE 12, BE 12b and Avro 504K, with headquarters at Goldington and with bases at Therfield, St Neots, Thrapston, Elmswell, Hadleigh and Harling Road.

I hope this helps a little.

Gareth

[stevenbecker]

Thanks Mates,

Do you know why he resigned in May 1918?

Did he RTA as I believed he may have served post war in the RAF.

Cheers

S.B

[Andrew Smith]

Thanks Mates,

Do you know why he resigned in May 1918?

Did he RTA as I believed he may have served post war in the RAF.

Cheers

S.B

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

G'day again Steve,

I notice that Bean compiled a file on him whilst writing the Official Histories. I will be heading down to the AWM in the next few weeks, so I will see what Bean had on him.

Andrew.