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Of Tragedy and Valor
Eric Leslie Rumbelow
1898 - 1945
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd
Eric Leslie Rumbelow was born at Victor Harbor on 2nd May 1898 and married Gwendoline Pearl Chamberlain on 8th January 1921. Eric was a fisherman and proprietor of the Victor Harbor Swimming Baths when they were located in an enclosure half way to Granite Island off the causeway.
He was evidently an excellent runner and swimmer and Peter Rumbelow remembers that being taught to swim at about 6 years of age by being bribed with half a bush biscuit to make it from the “sissy rope” to the edge of the baths. The other half was used for the next challenge.
He was also a plumber at some stage of his career and manufactured toilet cisterns of the elevated pull-chain type. It was always embarrassing to note the name “The Rumbelow” stamped on the front of the cistern in homes around the area.
His wife Gwen sang for many years in the Newland Memorial Church Choir and was an excellent croquet player. She represented Australia in many Tests against other countries and, I believe that she was the World Champion at one stage. Eric died in 1945 while she lived on until 1976.
They did not have any children.
THROWN FROM A CART
THROWN FROM A CART
The Register (Adelaide, SA: 1901-1929)
Friday 5 March 1920
VICTOR HARBOUR. While driving from Victor Harbour to Encounter Bay on Monday afternoon, Messrs. Charles and Eric Rumbelow and Miss Dorothy Chamberlain were thrown out of a cart. The horse shied and capsized the vehicle. Mr. Charles Rumbelow received several bruises on his legs, and Miss Chamberlain had her face slightly scarred. Mr. Eric Rumbelow escaped injury. The cart was damaged."
SWIMMER AND LIFE SAVER
SWIMMER AND LIFE SAVER
Turning the scales at 202 lbs., 5 ft. 10 in. in his socks, and just over the age of 28 years, Eric Leslie Rumbelow, fourth son of the late Mr. David Malin Rumbelow and Mrs. Rumbelow, is a fine specimen of robust Australian manhood.
Fond of all outdoor sports, swimming and football claimed his most serious attention.
It was not, however, until the inauguration of the Victor Harbour Amateur Swimming Club, in October, 1925, that life-saving was specialised in.
Classes were started by Mr. F. C. Willoughby, secretary of the South Australian Branch of the Royal Lifesaving Society, and Mr. Rumbelow quickly took the bronze medallion.
Going to Adelaide late in the swimming year, he essayed the difficult task of doing the practical work for the diploma at the Gilberton Baths. A high standard of efficiency was obtained. The theoretical part of the award entails writing a lengthy paper on the subject, and this is sent overseas to the authorities in England. Word was received this week that this had been safely passed; thus Mr. Rumbelow wins the highest possible award in life-saving, and is the only man in South Australia to hold the diploma.
Mr. Rumbelow plays football for the Victor Harbour Club, and he has won many swimming prizes, both professional and amateur. He is an adept at the long dive.
By profession, Mr. Rumbelow is a certificated plumber, and prior to becoming a master plumber at Victor Harbour, he had six years’ experience in Adelaide.
His brother Lionel holds the bronze medal of the Royal Humane Society.
DEATH OF ERIC RUMBELOW
DEATH OF ERIC RUMBELOW
Mr. Eric Leslie Rumbelow, who passed away on Saturday, 20th January, at his home, Torrens Street, Victor Harbour, at the age of 46 years, was well known and highly respected by a wide circle of people throughout South Australia.
Born at Encounter Bay, he was the fourth son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Malin Rumbelow, early settlers in the district. The late Mr. Rumbelow was a powerful swimmer, for which he held many titles. As proprietor of the Victor Harbour Baths he has taught hundreds of children in South Australia to swim. He was secretary of the local Swimming Club, and conducted carnivals during the summer months, and also coached many well-known swimmers.
Mr. Rumbelow was an honorary associate of the Royal Life Saving Society, and had the distinction of being the first man in South Australia to gain the much-coveted Life Saving Diploma.
Keenly interested in sport, he was captain of the Victor Harbour Tennis Club for six years until the outbreak of the war, and at the time of his death was a member of the Victor Harbour Bowling Club.
For 22 years Mr. Rumbelow was a member of the Newland Memorial Congregational Church Choir. As tenor of the Victor Harbour male quartette he rendered service to the musical activities of the district. He was a member of the Masonic and Druid Lodges.
In 1921 he married Miss Gwen Chamberlain, who survives him. The interment took place on Sunday, 21st January, in the Victor Harbour Cemetery. The service was conducted by the Rev. D. S. Pearse, and was well attended by the representatives of the many organisations with which the late Mr. Rumbelow was connected.
OBITUARIES
Mr. Eric Leslie Rumbelow, who died at Torrens street, Victor Harbor, at the age of 46 years, was born at Encounter Bay.
He was the fourth son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Malin Rumbelow, early settlers in the district.
The late Mr. Rumbelow was a powerful swimmer and held many swimming titles, and as proprietor of the Victor Harbor baths he taught hundreds of children in South Australia to swim.
He was secretary of the local swimming club, and coached many well-known swimmers. Mr. Rumbelow was an honorary associate of the Royal Life Saving Society, and was the first man in South Australia to gain the life saving diploma.
Keenly interested in sport, he was captain of the Victor Harbor Tennis Club for six years until the out-break of war, and at the time of his death was a member of the Victor Harbor Bowling Club. For 22 years Mr. Rumbelow was a member of the Newland Memorial Congregational Church choir, and tenor of the Victor Harbor male quartet.
He was a member of the Masonic and Druid lodges.
In 1921 he married Miss Gwen Chamberlain, who survives him.
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