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Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs

1891 – 1981

(1891-1981) businessman

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About Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs

Lived 1891 – 1981 (aged 89–90). Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs was an Australian and British businessperson, military officer, clerk, business manager and business executive.

Sir Roland Ellis "Raoul" Jacobs (28 February 1891 – 28 June 1981) was a South Australian businessman, for many years at the head of South Australia's largest brewery and hotel chain, and an active supporter of many high-profile cultural, sporting and charitable organizations.

History Sir Roland was born in Adelaide the youngest child and only son of Samuel Joshua Jacobs (28 March 1853 – 4 January 1937) and his wife Caroline Jacobs, née Ellis. Samuel was well known in business and sporting circles, having been both chairman of directors of S.A.B.C. and an S.A.J.C. committee member for over 30 years. Sir Roland was educated at Geelong College and the Adelaide Shorthand and Business Training Academy, of which his father was a generous patron. Roland (who had been 2nd Lieutenant with the 16th Australian Light Horse Regiment a few years previously) volunteered for active service during the First World War, but was rejected as unfit and instead served as a training officer in Adelaide.

After a few clerical jobs, he was appointed in 1924 to a managerial position in Adelaide for brewers' supplier F. A. Henriques Ltd. This company, based in Perth, Western Australia, was taken over by Mauri Bros. and Thomson in July 1930. He was appointed assistant-manager and then manager. They had three children: Doreen Miriam Jacobs AM D.Mus (11 June 1918–13 September 2024) married architect (Frederick) Peter Bridges (13 September 1915 – 10 September 2001) around 1950. She was a noted teacher of music, pianist and member of the Australian Communist Party for a time, awarded AM in 1984 for services to music education. Samuel Joshua "Sam" Jacobs AO QC (6 December 1920 – 11 October 2011) married Mary Gordon Scott (6 December 1919 – 8 August 2007) He was a noted Freemason, barrister (initially with Browne, Rymill and Stevens) and judge, and awarded the AO in 1982. Eleanor Caroline Jacobs (born 18 December 1921, Deceased) married William Andrew Noye Wells, barrister and judge.

He married Esther "Ess" Cook (née Solomon) MBE (6 April 1900 – 27 January 1991) on 30 November 1970. This was her third marriage. Esther was a daughter of Vaiben Louis Solomon. They lived on Tusmore Avenue, Leabrook.

He was knighted in 1963.

A portrait of Jacobs was painted by Sir William Dargie.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1981
Education
The Geelong College
Awards
Knight Bachelor
Also known as
Roland Jacobs, Roland Ellis Jacobs, Sir Roland Jacobs, Raoul Jacobs

People in Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs?

(1891-1981) businessman

When was Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs born?

Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs was born on 28 February 1891 in Adelaide.

When did Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs die?

Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs died in 1981.

What was Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs's occupation?

Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs was a businessperson, military officer, clerk, business manager and business executive.

What nationality was Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs?

Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs was Australian and British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs

· Wikidata: Q21538208

· DBpedia: Roland Ellis Jacobs

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs. https://biography.guide/sir-roland-ellis-jacobs/

MLA: "Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/sir-roland-ellis-jacobs/.

Chicago: "Sir Roland Ellis Jacobs." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/sir-roland-ellis-jacobs/.

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