Wrong person for Jim Rutherford

[Max Turner]

I believe the details for Jim Rutherford (currently listed as Neville James Rutherford, born 1913, died 1964) are for an unrelated person of a similar age and name.

I believe the correct details are James Keith Rutherford, born 7 January 1908 in Woodburn, NSW, and died 8 October 1982.

Contemporary newspapers establish the following facts:

• Jim was from the Far North Coast
• He was a fireman (1933 and 1936)
• In 1938, he left St. George to join Glen Innes. His initials are given as J. K. Rutherford
• And for the removal of doubt, he is the same person who later played one season for Western Suburbs, having left Dubbo in 1941

Electoral rolls show that James Keith Rutherford lived around Arncliffe, Rockdale, and Kogarah between 1932 and 1936 with his wife Iris. His occupation is listed as fireman.

In the same period, Neville James Rutherford lived in Teven and Old Bonalbo near Casino, later marrying his wife Edna. His occupation is listed as labourer. They did later moved to Sydney at some point, settling in Darlinghurst before 1949 (his occupation is then 'tramway employee'), but from what I can see, he wasn't in the St. George area at the relevant time.

This 1934 article mentions Jim's brother G. Rutherford playing for Tumbulgum, which is near Murwillumbah. Neville James Rutherford's birthplace was listed as Murwillumbah when he enlisted during WWII, but this appears to be a coincidence. From searching the NSW Birth Index, Neville James didn't have a brother whose name stated with 'G', whereas James Keith did: Daniel George Edward Rutherford, born 1896 in Woodburn. Electoral rolls show that Daniel George Edward Rutherford lived in Tumbulgum from 1930 to at least 1943.

I would then say that it's likely that Jim Rutherford is the J Rutherford who played for Far North Coast and NSW Country in 1927. Given Jim is now 5 years older than previously thought, he would've been 19 in 1927. There's an article from 1926 which lists G. Rutherford and Jim Rutherford playing for Tumbulgum. A 1928 article mentions a J. Rutherford moving from Lismore to join St. George.

[GregRLP]

Wests Archive have the same details for Jim as we do I have asked them to check what info they have, they do agree your research is pretty compelling and are checking what they have and will get back to me next week.

[GregRLP]

The Wests Archive guys got back to me they agree with your research and conclusion on who Jim Rutherford is and will update their details and load a more complete bio soon.

I have updated RLP with your info and moved all the rep games in 1927 to Jim Rutherford as well.

Thanks Max.

[GregRLP]

Wests Archive have now updated their website with a complete bio of Jim Jim Rutherford