Robert Walker Trew was born in 1908.
In 1929 aged 21, was working at Perth Hospital and fell 30 foot from a ladder and fractured bones in his left foot.
He performed in “Bert Howell’s Stage Band”.
1934
The musical career of second clarinet player Bob Trew, who joined the Perth Symphony Orchestra in 1934, began in 1920 in York, which at that time enjoyed both an orchestra and a brass band. Trew was also a qualified plumber.
Harrison, Marcia. West Australian Symphony Orchestra Celebrating 75 Years. WASO Holdings Pty Ltd, 2003. Page 36
1938
TREAT FOR THE KIDDIES – Symphony Orchestra Pleases
The children’s concert held in His Majesty’s Theatre last week was a most successful one. Sponsored by the National Broadcasting Commission, a highly educational programme was performed by the A.B.C. (Perth) Symphony Orchestra conducted by E. G. Roberts. This musical body is now delivering the goods and is comprised of the usual studio orchestra, containing as it some of the finest musicians in Australia, and all of whom are capable of giving a most exacting performance of their instrument. This was manifested when, reinforced by other players not on the permanent staff, the various leaders were called upon to show the children their instruments and play a few classical bars or lilting little ditty.
…Other woodwind soloists were Mr. Singleton (oboe) and the clarinet pair Mr. Percy Newton and Bob Trew, the latter delivering a delightful duet in a workman like fashion.
Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 4 June 1938, page 2
1942
SYMPHONY MEN PLAY DANCE MUSIC.
An occasion unique in the history of South Australian rural entertainment, writes ”Jazzman,” was the playing of three symphony men in the dance band at the recent carnival at the Berri Co-op. Packing House. Being in a shed, the acoustics were naturally poor, but your scribe managed to get near the stand and was impressed with the sax work of Bob Trew, a clarinet player from the Perth Symphony and the A.B.C. network. He plays with a round, smooth tone, reminiscent of the American Negro, Benny Carter. Unfortunately no traditional jazz was played and this prevented his swinging improvisations. Another interesting musician was S/Sgt. V. Lombardi who played violin for part of the evening. Formerly a first violin of the Adelaide Symphony he handled the dance orchestrations deftly. The third symphonic figure was the Conservatorium pianist Frank Lellmann. His bass slapping is extremely powerful and his tremendous rhythmic drive literally kicked the melodic instruments along. A word to promoters of future “shed shows”: have the band centre of the floor. This idea has been tried in Adelaide with great success.
Murray Pioneer (Renmark, SA), Thursday 10 December 1942, page 4
1944
From somewhere in camp: ABC ON PARADE. Devised, arranged and produced by Dave Howard, with the ABC Theatre Orchestra, conducted by Ernest J. Roberts and including the following artists: Joe Brennan and Ida Newton, Sunny Day (Elsie Connoly), Olive Dunton, Jack Harrison, Eileen Moran, Vernon Sellars, Maurice Jaffey, Neil Shortland-Jones, The Paulasto Brothers. (Bob Trew 14th June) Compered by Cyril Leighton. The Broadcaster Thursday February 24, Thursday April 20, June 14 1944
1949
Outstanding alto and clarinet man with the Sharp combination, George Caro, has had a colourful career in the game. At 15 he commenced the sax, and as George maintains, was completely self-taught.
He first came to the public notice in 1930 when he was one of 18 who competed in the saxophone competition conducted by the Brass Band Association of WA. Winner was Cas Mitchell, now of the ABC Melbourne, second George Caro, Bob Gibson (now in England) was third, and fourth position was filled by Bob Trew (Perth ABC).
In 1934, when the exodus was on, George made the Eastern States tour with the Ron Movie outfit, and when this orch. returned to WA, George decided to hit out for the overseas spots. His first working port o’ call was Colombo, where he played at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. From here he went to the Grand Hotel at Calcutta, before making the Malayan Peninsula in 1936, where he played in Singapore cabarets and the Eastern and Oriental Hotel in Penang. On his return to Australia, George linked up with pit work, played for the American Marcus ‘Show, North China Troupe, Dante, and various other visiting shows.
During the war he played second cornet with the 28th Battalion Band, and at a later stage, while serving in Darwin conducted a Sunday night Swing Show featuring a 5piece outfit. Returning to civvy street, he joined Chris Gosper’s eight playing at St. Mary’s, Mt. Hawthorn. When Sammy Sharp returned from England, George moved in with Sammy Sharp and remained with him ever since. —’QUAIL.’ Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 – 1956), Saturday 23 April 1949, page 14
1951
Only three months in the South Australian Symphony Orchestra, Jack returned to Perth on 8th February 1951 to fill the second clarinet position with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra after the sudden death on January 18 1951 of second clarinettist Bob Trew aged 43.
TREW (Robert Walker); A sincere tribute to the memory of Bob deepest sympathy to Mrs. Trew and family. Inserted by the staff of the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
TREW (Robert W.): In memory of a great friend and associate. The Moore family.