The Rushs have lived in Creswick for as long as anybody can remember.
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One, Michael Ward Rush, lived an interesting, yet mysterious life. His great nephew, Gary Rush, spoke to The Advocate about his courageous uncle.
Rush, born in Rocklyn on May 30, 1886, was one of 10 children. In 1911, Rush travelled abroad to the south island of neighbouring New Zealand, where he worked on the Otira Tunnel, part of the Great Alpine Railway, during 1912 and 13.
After World War One broke out, he signed up to the New Zealand Defence Force under the name Joseph Ward. Ward was his grandmother’s maiden name.
Gary Rush said he wasn’t sure why his great uncle used a different name. The reason remains a mystery.
Rush embarked for the war on April 15, 1915. He served as a private in the 2nd Battalion Canterbury Regiment in Gallipoli, the Balkans, Egypt and Western Europe.
In an article in the London Gazette on May 30, 1919, a citation described that Rush received a Distinguished Conduct Medal “for marked gallantry and dash”.
“During the advance through Lesdain to Esnes on 8th October, 1918, he went under very heavy fire to the assistance of his company commander who was fatally wounded. Later in the same attack his rifle was shot from out of his hands, and he still advanced, attacking with a shovel and killing three of the enemy with it,” it reads.
The Distinguished Conduct Medal is the second highest reward for valour after the Victoria Cross. Rush also received a 1914-15 Star, a 1914-19 War Medal and a Victory medal.
Returning to Melbourne after being discharged from the army, it is not known what he did in the following years, but with the outbreak of World War Two, he tried to join the Australian Forces. He did not serve as he was 50 years old.
Having survived a world war, in 1944, aged 58, Rush was killed by a car while crossing Malvern Road.
Until recently, Rush was buried in an unmarked grave at Melbourne General Cemetery. It is not known why.
“I got onto the RSL who organised a plaque for his grave.
“[At the start of September] we had a ceremony attended by the New Zealand RSL and played The Last Post,” Mr Rush said.
He said it “means everything for [his great uncle] to be recognised. Not only because he fought for his country but because my dad always used to talk about him when I was little”.
Rush is commemorated near his birth place in the Kingston Avenue of Honour with tree number 108.