14 Facts About Bernard Rubin

Bernard Rubin was an Australian racing driver and pilot who was a member of the "Bentley Boys" team at the Bentley Motor Company and winner of the 1928 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The son of Australian pearl salesman Mark Rubin, Bernard was born in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton, before he eventually moved to London with his family in 1908.

Bernard Rubin's mother was the former Rebecca de Vahl Davis, who came from a notable Jewish Melbourne family.

Bernard Rubin had a brother, well-known grazier, art collector and philanthropist Harold de Vahl Rubin.

On 29 March 1935, in Paris, Rubin married Audrey Mary Simpson, daughter of Charles Ringham Simpson.

Bernard Rubin served in the Royal Garrison Artillery in World War I and then the Royal Flying Corps where he was badly injured and required three years of treatment before he could walk again.

Bernard Rubin became close friends with Woolf Barnato, the director of Bentley Motors, and even lived together for some time.

Bernard Rubin made his driving debut at Brooklands in 1928 where he finished in sixth place before he made his first appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Bernard Rubin remained at Bentley for Le Mans in 1929, but his car failed after only seven laps.

Bernard Rubin was the first Australian to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Bernard Rubin entered his Bentley-green de Havilland Comet in the air race but was unable to compete due to severe illness.

Bernard Rubin died in England of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1936.

Bernard Rubin's body was taken back to Australia, where he is buried in Fawkner Crematorium and Memorial Park, Melbourne.

Bernard Rubin was known not only by his men under him during the war but by everyone who knew him as a kind, adventurous and caring man.