Of Tragedy and Valor
James Malen Rumbelow

James Malen (Jim) Rumbelow
B 1948
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd

James Malen (Jim) Rumbelow was born in 1948 to parents Geoffrey Malin Rumbelow and Shirley Dawn (nee Heath).

Jim attended Victor Harbor Primary School (on occasion). Unfortunately school was often scheduled at the same time as morning surf breaks and rabbit trapping. Infamously Jim's report card was edited to show days present rather than days absent.

Jim followed his father Geoff and brother Charlie and joined the Encounter Bay Football Club.

Club stalwart Dick Littlely recalls that Jimmy had a habit of getting into punch-ups, so much so that his team-mates were sick of helping him out.

"One day on the Bay Oval playing Strath, Jimmy belted someone and was attacked by numerous Strath players close to the crowd. No-one came to help, and Jimmy's father Geoff, overcome with paternal love, decided to help out. It was a very wet day and Geoff at full pace tried to hurdle the fence, hooked his toe on the top wire, hit the ground on his stomach and slid into the fray in a spray of water and mud. He and Jimmy proceeded to flatten about half of the Strath team before Geoff walked off wet and sore but satisfied of a job well done. Jimmy got suspended for six games and Geoff had a bloody good time!"

EBFC B Grade Team - 1962
Middle: Michael Lane, Jim Rumbelow (center), Ernie Bartlet
Front: Don Rumbelow, Joe Eagan, Peter Millard

Jim joined the Australian Navy in 1967, ending his service in 1973 aboard the HMAS Brisbane as a Quartermaster Gunner. He “travelled in steel for the Queen and the Government” sailing to places including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

Tragically on the 16th May 1975, Jim's father Geoff drowned in high seas only 300 yards from the Yilki foreshore. Geoff's 17-foot Clausen Craft boat had broken its anchor chain and drifted out to sea. Geoff attempted to retrieve the boat in a small dingy when he was swamped by a large wave. He clung to the dinghy for about five minutes before being forced to let go.

Mr Ken Proctor, a holidaying school teacher, rowed his dinghy to rescue Geoff but could not pull him aboard until Graham Rumbelow also rowed out with Chris Tapscott, a member of the Port Elliot Surf Lifesaving Club, who gave mouth to mouth resuscitation. Waves continually broke over the dinghy and Chris ended up in the water supporting Geoff as they rowed ashore.