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

Collision at Dangerous Intersection

Victor Harbour's most dangerous intersection was the scene of another collision last Sunday afternoon. The accident occurred at the Hindmarsh Bridge intersection of Hindmarsh Road and Bridge Terrace.

James Malen Rumbelow, 16, labourer, of Yilki, suffered bruises and shock when the car in which he was a passenger was involved in a collision with another vehicle. He was treated later at a doctor's surgery. Damage to the two vehicles is estimated at £650. First Class Constable T. J. Adams and Constable H. Marriott enquired into the icrident.

In recent years there have been a number of accidents at this particular intersection. Cars entering Hindmarsh Road from Bridge Terrace have a blind spot on their right and before a driver is aware of the fact, an approaching vehicle is almost upon him. The fact that sonic motorists coining into the township do not slow down makes the intersection even more dangerous. After crossing the railway line it is advisable to stop and make sure there is no oncoming traffic from either direction.

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.

Seaman at Work on Board HMAS Brisbane

Able Seaman James Rumbelow. 24, at work on board the guided missile destroyer HMAS BRISBANE as it steams off the east Australian coast. Able Seaman Rumbelow, who attended Victor Harbour High School, joined the RAN seven years ago. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. G.M. Rumbelow, of Yilki.

Title: RUMBELOW JAMES MALEN

Service Number - R66267

Date of birth - 28 Oct 1948

Place of birth - VICTOR HARBOUR SA

Place of enlistment - ADELAIDE

Next of Kin - GEOFFREY

Contents date range 1939 - 1948

Series number A6770

Citation RUMBELOW J M

NAA: A6770, RUMBELOW J M

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.

SOUTH ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB

Jim Rumbelow listed as a trainer in

1980 coach Haydn Bunton

1983 coach Graham Cornes

1984 coach Graham Cornes

SAFNL State of Origin Trainer

Jim was associated with several clubs in the Southern League as a trainer including O'Sullivans Beach, Aldinga, and then Flagstaff Hill.

FLAGSTAFF HILL FOOTBALL CLUB

Brett Charlesworth Club Person of the Year

1990 – J Rumbelow

1991 – J Rumbelow

Life Member - J Rumbelow

Millswood man Jim Rumbelow, 71 lit a candle in honour of his father, Geoff a “Rat of Tobruk. Photo Paul Starick.

Navy veteran Jim Rumbelow, the son of a Rat of Tobruk, lit a candle in his front yard and distributed biscuits to his street before dawn.

Mr Rumbelow, 71, was a Quartermaster Gunner who joined up in 1967 and “travelled in steel for the Queen and the Government”.

Aboard HMAS Brisbane, he saw the world, sailing to places including Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia.

This morning, however, Mr Rumbelow walked down his Millswood street before dawn, distributing Anzac biscuits baked by his wife, Rose. He returned to his front yard, lit a candle, and thought of his father, Geoff, a Rat of Tobruk, and the Victor Harbor home where he was raised.

“I wanted to remember the service of my father, my mates and all those who have served and made sacrifices for our great country’s freedom,” Mr Rumbelow said.

Geoff was part of the 2/48th Infantry Battalion, which was Australia’s highest decorated unit of World War II – awarded four Victoria Crosses (three of them posthumously) and more than 80 other decorations. The battalion was raised at Wayville Showgrounds in August, 1940. Mr Rumbelow said his father didn’t talk much about his war exploits.

“Not a great deal, not many of them did want to share much about that time,” he said.

- Paul Starick