Private Rufus Gordon Rigney (3872)
Rufus Gordon Rigney a ‘Ngarrindjeri’ man (Coorongcountry, 2017), was born in 1899 in Point McLeay, South Australia (National Archives of Australia, 2017). He was the second child of Benjamin and Rachel Rigney. Rufus and his older brother Cyril enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces (AIF), in World War One; as was often the case with close extended families, their cousins also enlisted (ABC, 2017). Rufus is among the many Indigenous men and women who have served their country over time.
Before enlistment, Rufus was a hard-working labourer in an effort to help provide and support his family. As a young man, it was quite difficult during those times, as Indigenous people were not recognised as Australian citizens (Australian War Memorial, 2017). They were often discriminated against by authorities and government officials, and society didn’t believe they were entitled to their freedom. Many had been transferred from the lands to government missions, and most found they had to ask for permission from the Chief Protector of Aborigines to travel, work or even marry (Tranthim-Fryer, 2015).
In August 1916 Rufus tried to enlist at the age of 16 and 9 months (University of New South Wales, 2016). Rufus was inspired by his brother Cyril to join the Australian Imperial Force (AIF), and wanted to follow in the footsteps of not only his brother but also many other young courageous Raukkan community members who had enlisted. However, due to the strict rules of the AIF, young men needed to be over the age of 18; Rufus was very disappointed, so he lied about his age and managed to enlist (ABC NEWS, 2017).
(HMAT COMMONWEALTH A73, RSL Virtual War Memorial, 2017)
Rachel, Rufus’s mother, was very unhappy to hear her son had enlisted for the AIF, she feared to hear the worst, as many young men had already lost their lives. Rachel already had one son fighting in Europe, her fears increased when Rufus was recruited (ABC NEWS, 2017) In the small Raukkan community, families left behind were scared, but also very proud that so many of their young men were serving their country. As an Indigenous man enlisted in the AIF, it was something to be very proud of; Rufus as well as many other young men from Ruakkan felt this would help to break down the racial barriers between their people and others in Australian society. (Tranthim-Fryer, 2015).
On the 21/09/1916, Rufus sailed aboard the HMAT Commonwealth (A73) to Plymouth. His journey started from Adelaide and headed initially towards Sydney. On the three-month journey to Plymouth, Rufus like many other soldiers unfortunately caught the mumps virus and became very ill. When the ship docked in Plymouth he was taken to the Fovant Military Hospital, where he was treated and later discharged on the 29/12/16 (National Archives of Australia, 2017).
After Rufus’ discharge he was attached to the 9th Reinforcement Battalion for the 32nd Battalion in South England. A few days after he had arrived in the south of England he boarded the Princess Victoria, which was scheduled to arrive in France on the 16/01/1917 (National Archives of Australia, 2017). From his arrival until 7/3/1917, there is no information recorded about the whereabouts of Rufus. However, word was finally received that he was wounded in battle on 8/3/1917 (National Archives of Australia). Records show that on the 13/3/1917, Rufus was treated for a shrapnel wound to the back. This type of wound wasn’t rare as many received injuries including gunshot and shrapnel wounds; some even suffered from trench foot (National Archives of Australia, 2017). After being treated for the shrapnel wound in the field hospital, Rufus was discharged back to the battle ground on the 19/3/1917. Sadly, on the same day he was again admitted to the Australian Auxiliary Hospital with gunshot wounds, it wasn’t clearly stated where he had been shot. Once again, no information was recorded for his whereabouts.
On the 29/06/2017, Rufus was attached to the 48th Battalion (National Archives of Australia, 2017). He had been in and out of the Hospital due to his wounds and contracting many contagious diseases. On the 12/10/2917, Rufus was wounded in action (WIC), during his time fighting the Battle of Passchendaele. He received gunshot wounds to the lungs. Unfortunately, Rufus was captured and treated by the German’s. On the 16/10/1917, four days after his capture, he was reported as deceased. The German’s, had sent information about where he was buried and the cause of death to the Officers in charge of his unit. The officers had sent a letter home to Mrs Rigney, to notify her of her loss. His belongings were sent back to his mother. All that Rufus had carried with him during the war was, a brush, shaving brush, razor strop and a razor (National Archives of Australia, 2017). After the war had ended in 1918, his body was dug up and reburied in the Harlebeke New British Cemetery: Plot XI, Row D, Grave 7.
(Raukkan Cemetery, 2017)
We are very thankful for Rufus Rigney’s service to his country. We are proud of the barriers that he has broken, so his fellow citizens could live without fear. Rufus was a courageous man and for that we honour his spirit and everyone else who fought in the War.
Reference List
Australian institute of Aboriginal and Torrens Strait islander studies, (2017) Private Rufus Rigney; Accessed 12/9/2017
Coorong country, 2017: Indigenous Ngarrindjeri Culture, Coorong Country; Accessed 12/9/2017
http://coorongcountry.com.au/indigenous-ngarrindjer-coorong-culture/
Gage N., (2017) “Anzac Day 2015: Indigenous leaders say Rigney brothers' WWI efforts 'should not be forgotten’” ABC NEWS. Accessed 8/9/2017
National Archives of Australia (2017) Rufus Gordon Rigney; Accessed 8/9/2017
https://discoveringanzacs.naa.gov.au/browse/records/406502/15
RSL Virtual War Memorial (2017) Rufus Gordon Rigney, Accessed 8/9/2017
https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au/explore/people/131359
South Australian Aboriginal Soldiers of the First World War (2017) Private Rufus Rigney (Accessed 12/09/2017) http://aboriginalww1veteransofsouthaustralia.blogspot.com.au/2011/01/active-service-list.html
Tranthim-Fryer T., (2015) Premier’s ANZACS Spirit Award entry; The story of Rufus Gordon Rigney.
(Connecting Spirits, 2017)