Of Tragedy and Valor
Herbert (Herb) Rumbelow

Herbert Victor Rumbelow was born to parents Henry and Mary Jane Rumblelow, Narrung, via Milang, South Australia.

In 1916, Herbert Rumbelow enlisted in the 1st AIF in Adelaide and was appointed to the 3rd reinforcements for the 50th Battalion. He embarked at Adelaide on the “Seeang Bee” and disembarked at Plymouth on 9th September 1916. 

He served as a Private in the 50th Battalion on the Western front. He then proceeded to France and marched out from 4th Australian Division Base Depot. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. 

He returned to Australia:11 January 1918 on the "Port Darwin" for discharge from cardiac debility.
He was discharged as medically unfit 10th May 1918.

Herbert married Hilda Blanche Heading on the 19th July 1924.

“RUMBELOW - HEADING. - On the 19th July, at the Campbelltown Methodist Church, by the Rev. A. K. Jones, Herbert Victor, third son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Rumbelow, of Encounter Bay, to Hilda Blanche, youngest daughter of Mr. and the late Mrs. John Heading, of Campbelltown.”
The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889-1931) Saturday 23 August 1924

Herbert and Hilda had three children; 

• Marjorie

• Norman

• Janet

Herbert Victor RUMBELOW

Regimental number: 1981
Date of birth: 22 June 1897
Place of birth: Encounter Bay, South Australia
Religion: Methodist
Occupation: Farmer
Address: Narrung, South Australia
Marital status: Single
Age at embarkation: 18.9
Height: 5' 6.5"
Weight: 133 lbs
Next of kin: Mother, Mrs Mary Jane Rumblelow, Narrung, via Milang, South Australia
Enlistment date: 31 March 1916
Place of enlistment: Adelaide, South Australia
Rank on enlistment: Private
Unit name: 50th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number: 23/67/3

Embarkation details: Unit embarked from Adelaide, South Australia, on board HMAT A48 Seang Bee on 13 July 1916

Rank from Nominal Roll: Private
Unit from Nominal Roll: 50th Battalion

Returned to Australia:11 January 1918
Discharge date: 10 May 1918

War service: Western Front

Commenced return to Australia on board HT 'Port Darwin', 11 January 1918; discharged (medically unfit: cardiac disability), Adelaide, 10 May 1918.

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

Date of death: 27 January 1955
Age at death: 57

Place of burial: Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia

Sources: NAA: B2455, RUMBELOW Herbert Victor

MILITARY: 1981 Pte Herbert Victor Rumbelow enlisted in 50th Batt. 31/3/1916, Returned to Australia 11/1/1918. (A.I.F. Nominal Roll).

31st March 1916 Enlisted in the 1st A.I.F. in Adelaide. Appointed to C company, 2nd depot battalion as a private. Regiment number 1981. He had no previous military experience as he had been living in an exempt area.

12th April 1916 Appointed to the 3rd reinforcements for the 48th Battalion at Mitcham.

16th April 1916 Appointed to the 3rd reinforcements for the 50th Battalion.

13th July 1916 Embarked at Adelaide on the "Seeang Bee".

9th September 1916 Disembarked at Plymouth.

12th November 1916 Sick to hospital, Coaford.

12th December 1916 Proceeded overseas to France per the S.S."Arundel" from Folkestone. Marched in to the 4th Australian Division Base Depot in Etaples.

19th December 1916 Marched out from the 4th Australian Division Base Depot. Taken on the strength of the 50th Battalion, A.I.F. from the 3rd reinforcements, 50th Battalion, A.I.F.

22nd December 1916 Admitted to number 7 Ambulance Train with inflammation of ankle joints. ?

24th December 1916 To No. 38th Casualty Clearing Station.

4th April 1917 Promoted to Lance corporal.

31st May 1917 Sick to hospital in the field, ex 4th Australian Division Base Depot, Havre. First to the 13th Australian Field ambulance. Then possibly the 76th Field Ambulance or the 77th Field Ambulance or both.

1st June 1917 Transferred to the 53rd Casualty clearing station with pyrexia of unknown origin. (2 Anzac MDS)

2nd June 1917 Transferred to the 6th Ambulance Train. Admitted 14th General Hospital with influenza.

10th June 1917 Embarked on H.S. "St Patrick" at Boulogne for England with Influenza. Admitted to the Reading War Hospital.

27th July 1917 Discharged to furlough from Reading War Hospital.

10th August 1917 Reported to Training Depot, Perham Downs. Class B1a. In number 1 convalescence Depot.

9th October 1917 Reclassified B1a1, number 1 convalescence Depot, Sutton Veny.

2nd November 1917 Reclassified C1, number 1 convalescence Depot, Sutton Veny.

5th November 1917 Reclassified B.2.b., number 1 convalescence Depot, Sutton Veny.

21st November 1917 Marched into number 2 convalescence depot, Weymouth from number 1 convalescence Depot, Sutton Veny.

11th January 1918 Returned to Australia per H.T. "Port Darwin" for discharge, cardiac debility.

4th March 1918 Disembarked in Australia.

10th May 1918 Discharged medically unfit.

Awarded the British War Medal (4/18 17313) and the Victory Medal (4/18 17166)