Wife: Miriam. Daughters Joan, Rhonda and Lynne. He umpired ten Test matches between 1948 and 1953. Herb Elphinston was a leader in intervening against persistent use of short-pitched deliveries (bouncers) by fast bowlers, resulting in Australian first-class umpires being given more power to intervene against intimidatory bowling.
His first match was between Australia and India at Melbourne on 1 January to 5 January 1948, a match comfortably won by Australia with Don Bradman scoring a century in each innings. His last match was between Australia and South Africa at Sydney on 9 January to 13 January 1953, where the home team won by an innings with Neil Harvey scoring 190 and Ray Lindwall taking 8 wickets.
