The name Mobbs sits prominently in the history of the Parramatta district, especially in the area once known as Mobbs Hill, which today is known as Carlingford. Mobbs Lane was the long-time home of the 7 TV network, its position high on the ridge overlooking the city of Parramatta was perfect for the broadcasting of a quality television signal.
Eric Arthur Mobbs was first appointed Mayor of Dundas in 1929 and on six other occasions. When the enlarged City of Parramatta merged with Dundas in 1949 he was again appointed to the role. Eric was a goalkeeper who represented NSW Schools, and played for Granville in its heyday.
His elder brother Arthur was also a footballer; he was also a soldier. Born in 1890, the eldest of five, Arthur George Mobbs enlisted on 18 January, 1915 putting aside his duties as a blacksmith’s floorman and taking up arms. Assigned to the AIF 3rd Battalion, 1st Company Field Engineers, he was sent straight to Gallipoli after basic training in Egypt.
The name Mobbs appears 21 times amongst the unit’s members. Wounded on 27 August, 1915 Sapper Mobbs was withdrawn to recover in hospital for the first of a number of visits rejoining his unit in France after the Gallipoli withdrawal. It is likely he was cared for during one of these periods of incapacitation by his future wife Isabella Atkinson whom he married at the Parish Church of Dalton-in-Furness on 11 February, 1919.
Arthur was shipped home aboard the Bremer in June of 1919, and returned to the Granville backline for a brief time, his brother Eric playing behind him.