Phillip (Phil) Jeffs (1897–1945)
Phil Jeffs, n.d.
Well-known in Sydney's underworld many years ago, Phillip Jeffs or Davis ("Phil the Jew") died in St Vincent's Hospital. Jeffs, who was well-known to the police, began as a small time gangster, and finally controlled several night clubs. His first venture was the 50-50 Club. Then he acquired the 400 Club, when it was in Phillip Street, and also had a controlling interest for a time in a Sutherland cabaret. Jeffs had been involved in several shooting affrays, and was shot in an underworld gang duel several years ago. He built a palatial home at Ettalong, and had lived there for the last few years.
Original publication
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- is sentenced to 18 months' hard labour on larceny offence, Sydney Morning Herald, 28 October 1922, p 9
- is acquitted of causing the deaths of two women as the result of a motor car accident, Sydney Morning Herald, 7 July 1925, p 8
- is charged with maliciously shooting at William Fisher, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 December 1926, p 10
- is committed for trial, Sydney Morning Herald, 1 January 1927, p 7
- is acquitted, Sydney Morning Herald, 12 February 1927, p12
- with four other men, is charged with raping a married woman, Sydney Morning Herald, 8 March 1928, p 12
- the men are refused bail, Sydney Morning Herald, 15 March 1928, p 12
- report on rape trial, Sydney Morning Herald, 23 March 1928, p 14
- report on rape trial, Sydney Morning Herald, 24 March 1928, p 17
- is granted bail on rape charges, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 April 1928, p 9
- report on rape trial, Sydney Morning Herald, 8 May 1928, p 8
- report on rape trial, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1928, p 21
- all of the men are found not guilty, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 1928, p 6
- is charged with vagrancy, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 July 1928, p 12
- is wounded in a gangland feud, Sydney Morning Herald, 9 May 1929, p 11
- refuses to identify his attacker, Sydney Morning Herald, 10 May 1929, p 11
- remains in a critical condition, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 May 1929, p 17
- James Taylor is charged with shooting Phil Jeffs, Sydney Morning Herald, 29 May 1929, p 12
- with William Archer is committed for trial on charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on Charles Sorlie and Frederick Johns, Sydney Morning Herald, 19 July 1929, p 10
- is also charged with being on unlicensed premises, Sydney Morning Herald, 21 June 1929, p 15
- Jeffs and Archer are acquitted on the charge of assaulting Charles Sorlie, Sydney Morning Herald, 6 September 1929, p 9
- four employees at Jeff's Four Hundred Club are charged with selling liquor without a licence, Sydney Morning Herald, 22 December 1936, p 8
- the manager of Jeffs' 50-50 Club has been fined 11 times for breaching the Liquor Act, Sydney Morning Herald, 4 March 1937, p 6
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Jones, Reginald Stuart (friend)
- Devine, James Edward (criminal associate)
- Green, Francis Donald (criminal associate)
Citation details
'Jeffs, Phillip (Phil) (1897–1945)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/jeffs-phillip-phil-13643/text24409, accessed 5 December 2024.
Phil Jeffs, n.d.
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Phil the Jew
- Davies, Phillip
Birth
Death
November,
1945
(aged ~ 48)
Darlinghurst, Sydney,
New South Wales,
Australia
Religious Influence
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.