RUSK, PTE RICHARD WALLACE Regimental # 106529
Richard Wallace Rusk was born October 28, 1896 in Dunchurch, the son of Walter and Martha Jane (Russell) Rusk. The Rusk family moved west and by the time of the 1906 census, was listed in Saskatchewan. At the time of enlistment, Richard identified his next of kin as his father in Gainsborough, Saskatchewan.
Richard signed his attestation papers December 30, 1914 in Yorkton to the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Richard’s Regimental badge is shown at right.
Richard arrived in France on September 22, 1915. On June 3, 1916 he was promoted to Corporal.
Richard was reported wounded on August 13, 1916. He was hospitalized but the nature of the wound is noted as ‘not stated. He was reported ‘killed in action; September 15, 1916.
The 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (CMR) was formed in November 1914 in Brandon, Manitoba. The unit landed in France on September 22, 1915, where the conditions on the front made the horses a hindrance and the unit was ‘dismounted’ and converted to infantry. The battalion was one of the first Canadian Corps units to attack when the Corps shifted to the Somme. On September 15, 1916, the 1st CMR was in the first wave attacking Mouquet Farm. Although the attack gained ground, the Canadians did not take the strong point, but the assault was considered a successful diversion from the main attack on Courcelette. At Vimy Ridge the 1st CMR took 350 prisoners but suffered 365 killed and wounded.
The notice in the Vimy Memorial
