Embedded Files
Of Tragedy and Valor
Walter Malen Rumbelow
1894 - 1932
Painter: W.R. Needs
Peter Matthews Collection
Descendant of Malen Rumbelow 2nd
Walter Malen Rumbelow was born at Yilki on 7th October 1894, and married Ethel Isabell Herraman on 15th October 1913 at Narrung SA.
Walter grew up at Narrung, a very small settlement west of Meningie. It is situated at the northern extent of the Narrung Peninsula, which separates The Coorong from Lake Albert adjacent to The Narrows which separates Lake Albert from the larger Lake Alexandrina
Marriage Notice Advertiser Tuesday 28 October 1913
RUMBELOW - HERRAMAN:- On the 15th October at Narrung, by the Rev. D. Roper, Walter Manlin, second son of W.H. Rumbelow, Narrung, to Ethel Isabel, youngest daughter of S. Herraman of Gilberton.
In 1924, at the age of 30, he left Narrung with his father and went to Encounter Bay where he purchased The Ferret and continued as a professional fisherman.
On December 23rd 1932, Walter, aged 38, was tragically drowned when “The Ferrett” was wrecked off Waitpinga Beach, SA. His body was not recovered.
Also in the boat were his cousins, David (who drowned) and Lionel (who was saved).
Walter and Ethel had nine children. Their first three children were born in Adelaide and the last six in the Victor Harbor area after their move back to Encounter Bay.
Douglas
Beth
Zaphne
Aileen
Robert,
Dorothy
William
Arthur
BURIAL: Row 24 Allotment 3012 Lease 169.
Memorial only - his body was not recovered.
Remembered on the grave of Ethel Isabel & Douglas Nobes Rumbelow.
Plaque - "In / Loving Memory / of / Our Dear Father / Walter Malen / Rumbelow / Lost at Sea / 23rd Dec 1932. Aged 38 years / also our dear mother / Ethel Isabel Rumbelow / Died 3rd June 1947 Aged 58 years / and our dear brother / Douglas Nobes Rumbelow / died 18 April 1924. Aged 7 years / Asleep in Jesus"
Fishermen Missing
Fishermen Missing
LEAVING Encounter Bay on Thursday, Walter, David, and Lionel Rumbelow rounded the Bluff at about 12 noon en route for Cape Jervis, where they intended to catch their Christmas supplies of snook. The party was not expected home until today.
Early this morning Lionel appeared at the residence of Messrs. G. and V. Honeyman at Waitpinga, which is in the vicinity of the mouth of Waitpinga River, about 10 miles by land from Victor Harbor.
No news of the other members of the party is to hand. The sole known survivor, being in an exhausted condition has been admitted to the district hospital.
From the scanty news that can be gathered it is feared that the boat foundered or capsized, as it was heavily laden (bearing a dinghy a large quantity of nets, and an ice chest), and the weather was by no means favourable, Lionel is recognised as a strong swimmer.
A party has left for Waitpinga, where the boat is believed to have foundered.
Both missing men are about forty years of age. David and Lionel, both of Encounter Bay, are sons of Mrs. and the late D. M. Rumbelow, and Walter (Victor Harbour) is a son of Mrs. and the late Henry Rumbelow.
From latest informed received it seems that the boat, heavily laden with fish, was struck by a wave and overturned. In so doing it struck and injured Lionel Rumbelow’s back. It was with difficulty that he struggled over the sandhills to the residence of Messrs. Honeyman.
Lionel was able to say that when the boat capsized Walter was below attending to the engine.
His last remembered seeing David in water but knee-deep.
New Cutter For Rumbelows
New Cutter For Rumbelows
News Adelaide, SA.
Sat 7 Jan 1933
The Mayor of Victor Harbor (Mr. Griffin) said today that the trust formed to administer the fund in aid of the families of David and Walter Rumbelow intended to purchase shortly a cutter for the Walter Rumbelow family to replace the Ferret, which was wrecked when the men lost their lives.
Lester Rumbelow, a son, who is a qualified fisherman, would be in charge, and the purchase would enable him to take full opportunity of the fishing season.
"As soon as needs arise for the families they are immediately supplied," said Mr. Griffin.
"An advantageous scheme is being worked for Mrs. David Rumbelow."
Rumbelow Fund
Rumbelow Fund
News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954)
Sir Josiah Symon Contributes £5
A contribution of £5 from Sir Josiah Symon today swelled "The News" Fund to aid the stricken Rumbelow families. The fund has reached a total of £107 5/.
"I enclose a cheque for £5 for the fund to assist the Rumbelow widows and chil-dren suffering from the terrible loss and disaster which has overtaken the family," said Sir Josiah in a letter. "To all residents in Victor Harbor, as well as to all visitors, the name of Rumbelow has been a household word. They were, so to speak, the historic fishermen of the locality, and held in high esteem by everyone who knew them, as I have for 40 or more years. '"My uncle, the late David Sutherland, and his family knew them well and held them in much esteem long before that." Donations received by "The News" and at Victor Harbor to date are:
Previously acknowledged ..... 1 0 1 5 0
Sir Josiah Symon ....................... 5 0 0
Frank Fairey ............................... 1 0 0
SEARCH GOES ON AT VICTOR VICTOR HARBOUR, Saturday.
Mr. Fred Tugwell, of Waitpinga, who found the body of David Rumbelow, thought that the body of Walter Rumbelow would be found in one of certain places which he searched yesterday, but all he found was a dead sheep in Shannon's Creek. Constable E. J. Opie, who was in charge of the search parties, will concentrate on an exhaustive search tomorrow, which will be the ninth day since the tragedy.
HUBERT RUMBELOW IN ACCIDENT VICTOR HARBOR. Saturday.
Moyna Dodd, aged four years. daughter of Con-stable T. E. Dodd, of Victor Harbor, was injured when she ran into a motor car driven by Hubert Rumbelow, of Encoun-ter Bay. Her head was cut at the back, and three stitches were inserted in the wound. The child was running across the road when the car struck her. Hubert Rumbelow is a cousin of Walter and David Rumbelow, the two victims of the drowning tragedy.
VICTOR HARBOR LIFEBOAT NEEDED ON COAST
VICTOR HARBOR LIFEBOAT NEEDED ON COAST
The Mayor of Victor Harbor (Mr. S. D. Bruce) said that as tln eroe was no lifeboat on the coastline from Seacliff to MacDonnell Bay he was of the firm opinion that the lifeboat Arthur Searcy, at Victor Harbor, should be kept in commission by the Harbors Board. The boat was one of the best of its kind in Australia, and lifesaving apparatus at Victor Harbor was valued at approximately £6,000, including boat, slipway, and hauling gear, continued Mr. Bruce. Only recently while people were on the tennis courts a boy and girl got into difficulties in a small boat, and were with difficulty rescued. To effect the saving of life today on the coastline, the assistance of private enterprise had to be called upon. Local men always willingly .offered their services and boats, as in the case of the late Mr. Rumbelow, in the ill-fated Ferret, who, together with Mr. Walter Jeffery, harbormaster, went to the rescue, near the Murray mouth, of a Greek who was in difficulties in his cabin-decked boat. This man wsa saved, but. only at the expense of the late Mr. Waiter Rumbelow. The Harbors Board would not allow Mr. Jeffery to man the lifeboat. THREE .YEARS IDLE The lifeboat had been out of commission for about three years, and although Mr. Bruce said he was not a boat expert, he thought it was only reasonable to expect that deterioration would be caused by wind, sea, and air. Such a boat, with an engine, "was like a motor car, and had to be looked after to be efficient. There was no doubt in his opinion that a crew could be obtained to man the vessel, as in days of a call for volunteers for the old sailing lifeboat at the wreck of the Margot at Kingston, when. within half an hour after firing a rocket, men had manned the boat. Several of the old crew at Victor Harbor were still available. MINISTER'S, VISIT The -Minister of Marine (Mr. Hudd) was at Victor -Harbor yesterday, but the lifeboat had not been discussed officially. If the Harbors Board "were not going to do anything in the matter instead of letting the boat go to rust, Mr. Bruce suggested that the boat should be given to the local Sea Scouts to look after and man. The boat might be a little on the large side, but the boys were efficient, and had an excellent charge master in Lieut.-Commander W. Gregory, R.N.R., who helped the boys in many ways. The engine should be kept in constant use. Mr. Bruce knew that the lifesaving services on the coast were curtailed because ships were compelled to carry wireless and lifesaving gear. Mr. H. Williams estimated that the boat could be .painted for about £15. and Mr. H. Fergusson, .engineer, who was called to assist in getting the engine to go on Saturday, said that the cost of putting the engine in order would be about £10, including batteries,. which were necessary. It -was not true that the engine would not function. "
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