Notes
Born February 1890 Manchester, England. Son of Hyman & Yetta ROLBIN, 39 Bellott Street, Cheetham, Manchester, England. Hyman died 19 May 1916 Oldham, Lancashire, aged 51. The Admission Register for Manchester Southall St. School records that Harris Rolbin was admitted to the school in April 1899 & left on 25 August 1902. In May 1891, a Jewish mixed department was opened at Southall Street School. The 1901 England Census recorded Harris Rolbin as a 10 year old living with his family at 7 Moreton Street, Cheetham, North Manchester, Lancashire, England. His parents were listed as Hyman Rolbin, Horse Dealer - Employer, aged 36, born Russia & Yetta Rolbin, aged 37, born Russia. Harris was one of six children listed on this Census - Annie Rolbin aged 15, born Russia, Nathan Rolbin aged 13, born Russia, then Harris, Eva Rolbin aged 8, born Manchester, Lancashire, Carrie Rolbin aged 3, born Manchester, Lancashire & Florrie Rolbin aged 12 months, born Manchester, Lancashire. Also listed was Sam Servin, a cousin, Groom, aged 21, born Russia & also Hannah Morris, General Domestic Servant, aged 50, born Furness Abbey, Lancashire. Mr H Rolbin, Farmer, aged 18, was listed as a passenger on Moravian which departed from London, England on 19 January 1909 & was contracted to land at Sydney, NSW, Australia. The 1911 England Census listed the Rolbin family living at Bowlee Farm, Bowlee, Middleton, Lancashire, in a nine-roomed dwelling. The family consisted of Hyman Rolbin, Farmer & Horse dealer, aged 46, born Minsk, Russia, Gertrude Rolbin aged 47, born Minsk, Russia - wife of Hyman - married 28 years & had 12 children, four having died. There were five children listed on this Census – Eva Rolbin, Dressmaker, aged 19, born Salford, Lancashire, Teresa Rolbin, Weaver, aged 14, born Salford, Lancashire, Florence Rolbin, School, aged 11, born Manchester, Lancashire, Minnie Rolbin, School, aged 9, born Manchester, Lancashire & Celia Rolbin, School, aged 9, born Manchester, Lancashire. Also listed were three servants - Emily Hartland, General Servant, aged 51, widow, born Cookfield, London, James Evans, Farm Labourer, aged 68, born Winnington, Shropshire & John Wilkinson, Farm Labourer, aged 18, born Salford, Lancashire. The 1913 Australian Electoral for the division of Hartley, subdivision of Portland, NSW listed Harris Rolbin, Engine Cleaner of Portland. Harris Rolbin was a 24 year old, single, Locomotive Fireman from Elizabeth Street, Picton, NSW when he enlisted at Liverpool, NSW on 7 December 1914 with the 3rd Infantry Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). His service number was 1613 & his religion was Church of England, but he was Jewish. His next of kin was listed as his mother - Mrs T Robbin of Bowlee Farm, Middleton, Lancashire, England. Private Harris Rolbin embarked from Sydney on HMAT Seang Choon (A49) on 11 February 1915. Private Harris Rolbin embarked on Derflinger to join MEF (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force) on 5 April 1915. Private Harris Rolbin was wounded in action at Gallipoli between 25 April & 2 May 1915. He was admitted to Alexandria Government Hospital on 30 April 1915. PTE Rolbin was transferred to Convalescent Camp at Mustapha on 20 May 1915. He was admitted to Egypt Government Hospital on 24 May 1915 with a Fever. PTE Rolbin was admitted to No 17 General Hospital at Alexandria on 18 June 1915 then transferred to Convalescent Camp at Mustapha on 29 June 1915 with Rheumatic Fever. A Medical Report was completed on 5 July 1915 at Mustapha on PTE Harris Rolbin regarding his Rheumatic Fever “Date of origin of disability – 1 June 1915 at Mustapha Convalescent Depot. Patient states that he commenced with great pain & swelling of both knew which afterwards fled to the shoulders and wrists. He was removed to Hospital & admitted with a temperature of 103F. He was detained there a fortnight and has had a slight relapse here. The cause of the disability was given as a) damp & b) aggravated by climatic conditions. His present condition was listed as unable to walk without the use of a stick. He complains of great weakness and breathlessness upon exertion. He has a very faint systolic murmur of myocardial origin. He is still having joint pain and swellings. Endocarditis was contracted in Convalescent Depot while recovering from wounds received in action resulting in mitral incompetence. It was recommended that PTE Rolbin be discharged as permanently unfit. Patient wishes to be discharged to England as all relatives are there. PTE Rolbin was transferred to Convalescent Camp at Cairo on 29 July 1915. PTE Rolbin was marked for transfer to England on 21 September 1915 & transferred to New Zealand & Australian Convalescent Depot at Helouan on 22 September 1915. He embarked for England on 23 September 1915 from Alexandria on Hospital Ship Karoola. Source: Cathy Sedgwick.
John Monash (Monasch) born
in Melbourne, Australia on 27 June 1865, the son of
German Polish Jewish migrants, can be researched in any
military history encyclopaedia or in fact by just
‘Googling’ his name on the internet. His history
and list of achievements are long and far too many to detail
in this brief summary. However, might I say that reading his
history is well worth the effort and I can assure you that
his deeds will amaze you. I have found that the deeds are
better labelled on more than one man and in more than one
lifetime.
An
announcement was made in the weeks leading up to the
Centenary of ANZAC by Judy Landau, President VAJEX Aust.
She stated that it gave her great delight to announce
that VAJEX Aust (Victorian Association of Jewish Ex
& Servicemen & Women Australia Inc) has
successfully raised the required funds to build a new
Victorian Jewish Memorial after the style of the
historic Memorial located in the Jewish section of the
Melbourne General Cemetery. After an extensive two year
process, Judy has single-handedly sought letters of
support, raised the funds, and obtained approval from
the City of Port Phillip.
