Of Tragedy and Valor
Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow

Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow was  born on 27th December 1893 to parents Godfrey Rumbelow 2nd and Ada Louise Heading. 

Samuel married Ruby Freda Lemon on 7th October 1913. They had one daughter, Doris Ada Rumbelow.

He was the proprietor of a charabanc service carrying Victor Harbor visitors to local beauty spots.  

In 1920, a girl passenger who was trying to take a photograph slipped off a rock into the sea. Samuel saved her, but lost his life in the attempt.

Washed off the Rocks

•  The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931) 

•  Tue 20 Apr 1920 

Mr. Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow a well known resident of Victor Harbor, met his death by drowning at Port Elliot yesterday in tragic circumstances. He had a charabanc in which he made a business of taking sightseers to the beauty spots of the district. 

On Monday he conveyed a full complement of passengers to Port  Elliot. Upon arrival the party dispersed, and several, including Mr. Rumbelow went on the rocks in search of the newly discovered "Nature's Eye." 

A young lady, from Adelaide, Miss M. Duall, attempted to get snapshots of it with her camera. A big sea was running and Miss Duall had to take a risk, but she endeavored by watching the rollers to get into the position she sought.  While taking a snap she was seen to be in danger, and Mr. Rumbelow jumped to assist her.

Both were swept into the sea, and the young woman was torn from Mr. Rumbelow's grasp. She was tossed about by the breakers, and after being in the water for ten minutes was washed up on the beach unconscious. Dr. Douglas, of Victor Harbor, was summoned, and after three-quarters of an hour's effort restored animation in Miss Duall. She was much battered by the sea. 

In the meantime Mr. Rumbelow had been hurled against the rocks by a breaker and endeavored to get out of the water. He seemed to be getting close to safety when a wave carried him out to sea. He was seen to divest himself of his coat and make another effort to reach the rocks, when he was overwhelmed by a huge sea. He then completely disappeared. This happened at about 10 a.m. His pocket-book was picked up later on the beach, but nothing more was seen of him until a little after midday, when his body was washed up on the shore.  The Coroner deemed an inquest unnecessary. 

Mr. Rumbelow died at 27 years of age, and left a widow and one child. 

The Observer

• 24th April 1920

Mr. Samuel Rumbelow, aged 27 years, a member of one of the oldest families of Encounter Bay, was drowned at Port Elliot this morning. The young man, who was a popular conductor of touring parties between the seaside resorts of Encounter Bay, Victor Harbor, Port Elliot and Middleton had taken a lady visitor at Port Elliot (Miss Mary Duall of Adelaide) down the rocks to enable her to obtain a photograph of “Nature’s Eye” Green Bay. The lady became giddy and fell into the water. Mr. Rumbelow bravely jumped in to endeavour to rescue her, but a wave carried them both out to sea. Miss Duall was taken out of the water ten minutes later by visitors, who endeavoured, with little success, to promote artificial respiration.

Dr S J Douglas of Port Victor was summoned in the meantime, and he continued the efforts at resuscitation for three quarters of an hour, at the end of which signs of vitality became apparent and the lady recovered consciousness.

Mr. Rumbelow, however, lost his life. When the first wave had spent its force he was seen standing up to the waist in water. He threw off his coat, managed to clamber on to a rock, and stood there for a moment; but another breaker washed over the rock and once more took him out to sea. The body was later recovered in Green Bay. The deceased was the eldest son of Mr. Godfrey Rumbelow.

Late Mr Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow

• The Victor Harbor Times and Encounter Bay and Lower Murray Pilot (SA : 1912 - 1930) 

•  Fri 23 Apr 1920 

Throughout the length and breadth of the district the untimely and tragic death of the late Mr. Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow is very greatly mourned. His was a young life full of promise and bubbling over with thoughts for others. Indeed it may be written down that he gave his life in attempting to save a fellow creature from a watery grave. It was a heroic sacrifice and worthy of the one who made it.

The deceased was born in the district and grew up here. He always had a cheery word and smile for all whom he came into contact with, and lived a life that would be a pattern for others. When his cup was overflowing with joy he enjoyed seeing others sip from it, but he bore his sorrows and cares silently and alone. For several months he drove his own charabanc, catering for visitors, and every one of his patrons liked him for his gentlemanly manner and happy disposition. 

Only a few weeks back he drove a number of bandsmen to Strathalbyn and was eating and enjoying his dinner there when he learnt that another charabanc with a load of band boys was stranded on the Ashbourne road.

He left his meal unfinished and drove back for them. This little sacrifice was only in keeping with a host of others that might be written down to the credit of the late Mr. Rumbelow. 

He was a member of the Congregational Church Choir and possessed a rich and pleasant voice, and four members of the choir (Messrs. J. Wilton, S. D. and D. D. Bruce, and H. Smith) acted as pallbearers. 

He was a staunch follower of the football club and was always a good loser and a generous winner. The large number of folks who attended the service in the Congregational Church prior to the funeral was a striking testimony to the popularity of Sam. It was a beautiful service and one that will live long in the memory of all who heard it. 

The Rev. A. C. Stevens, B.A., was the officiating minister, and his words were comforting to the bereaved, and ones that were printed indelibly on the minds of all present. The singing was pathetic, yet inspiring, and indeed the whole service was one where all the sympathy possible went out to the wife and child and the loved ones of the late Mr. Rumbelow, ard his name and his deeds will long live in the memory of the folk of Victor Harbor and district and the visiting population who were privileged to meet him.

In the course of his beautiful sermon the Rev. Stevens said : 

‘ln the midst of life we are in death.’ These were the words on every lip yesterday when the sad tidings reached us of the death of our brave young Samuel Godfrey Rumbelow. We are assembled here because we cannot let such an occasion pass without attempting in some feeble measure to express the deep feelings stirred up in our hearts by such an occurrence, I think I am right in saying that hardly before in the history of this town, if ever before, have the hearts of the people of every class and creed been so profoundly knit together in a common bond of common sympathy. 

We unite as nothing else could unite us in a common outpouring of spontaneous tribute of love toward that bright young soul whom all of us held dear, of admiration at his dying attempts to save life in the grip of a relentless ocean, and of silent but deep and passionate sympathy toward his dear loved ones —his parents, his beloved young wife, and his child.

He has covered the name of his family with a glory that shall not die. The sea has been at once the home, the friend, and the ever present enemy of the men of his race, and knowing its terrible power, as he and the men of his race have reason to know it, yet he dared the monster, and died in the midst of a fine and splendid deed.

Let the cynic pause, let the observer, let us all, shed a tear of proud glorying that in the commonplace of all our lives there is to be found such evidence of that spiritual splendour which scorns death to do a great deed.” 

In conclusion the Rev Stevens said that the brave soul would not have us mourn and be desolate. From the mansions of glory he looks down from the place where there shall be no more unquiet seas, save the jasper sea of peace, and for him '' To be with Christ is far better,” As for us and his loved ones I am sure he would say, who was so brave, ‘‘Be brave.” His star has not gone out in gloom, His star is rising to glory. And though we murmur not at God’s decree we cannot help for a while moaning under the inscrutable dealings of our Heavenly Father.

Help us, O God, who wipest the (tear) from every eye, to dry the tear after a little while and go bravely in the footsteps of one who has only gone before.”

It was a beautiful address and intense silence prevailed throughout, many present being deeply affected, while the singing of three lovely hymns added beauty and pathos to the scene.