Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 4017    SESSION 19 (2.30PM FRIDAY 28TH JULY)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $550
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,400

TRIO TO CHAPLAIN: 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19. Chaplain J.B.Rentoul. Chap. Dept A.I.F. on first medal, Chaplain. J.B.Rentoul. A.I.F. on last two medals. Display mounted, good very fine.

James Buchan Rentoul, Presbyterian minister, age 42, born at Liverpool, England: Appt'd Chaplain IV Class 11Mar1915 while serving as minister at Chalmers Church, Hobart; Emb.20Mar1915; served as Chaplain with 3LHR in Egypt and with 21Bn France; Appt terminated 26Jul1915; Appt'd Chaplain IV Class continuous service 16Oct1915; RTA 12Nov1916; Appt terminated 17Jan1917; he was vice-president of the Federal Executive of the Returned Sailors', Soldiers' & Airmen's League and was a foundation member of the Legacy Club at Geelong; Died 20Jun1942.

The following article was published in the Daily Advertiser, Wagga Wagga, on Monday 28 November 1938, page 6.

THE REV. J. B. RENTOUL ST. ANDREW'S MINISTER
Few citizens of Wagga are better known than the Rev. James Buchan Rentoul, the present minister of St. Andrew's Church.

One need not be an adherent of Presbyterianism to know this lovable character. His is a personality all of its own. He is one of those Englishmen who has an intense love for the old country and the British Empire; but his heart is wrapped up in Australia, and he has a high admiration of Australian youth. When it comes to speaking, he is forceful and dynamic and his phraseology is very fine. Above all, Padre Rentoul, as he is affectionately known by, is sincere.

Born of Scottish parents at Liverpool, England, Mr. Rentoul was educated in Ireland at Erasmus Smith's School in Dublin. Coming to Australia in 1891 with his mother, he settled in Charlton in the Mallee (Victoria), and after remaining in Munro's foundry for two years, entered the old London Bank, where he stayed for four years.

Later he entered upon his theological course at St. Andrew's College, Sydney, and was ordained and inducted at St. Andrew's, Tamworth. After staying four years there, he went to St. Andrew's, Albury, where he remained for five years, and from there went to Chalmer's Church, Hobart. It was while he was at Hobart that he answered the call of King and Country, and he served as chaplain with the 3rd Light Horse in Egypt and with the 21st Battalion in the two battles of the Somme.

On his return from the war, he returned to Hobart, and later became minister at St. George's Church, Geelong, where he was also chaplain of Geelong College, one of the six associated schools of Victoria. From Geelong he came to Wagga, and he is now in his eighth year of ministry at St. Andrew's.

Apart from his work at St. Andrew's, Mr: Rentoul has found time to interest himself in various public matters in Wagga. Education always has his interest, as do youth movements. He is an active member of the Wagga Rotary Club, of which he was vice-president in 1936-37. He is also keenly interested in horticulture, and any movement which has for its object the welfare of Wagga, has the support of Mr. Rentoul. In all matters he has had the assistance and loyalty of his wife, and his daughter. Miss Jean Rentoul, has been a tower of assistance to girl guides and musical circles.

With one page of research.