Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Birth Reg: 16929
Marriage Reg: 2180


Children of William MINSTER and Mary Ann PAULL:
1. William Arnold MINSTER b 19 Aug 1885 Spring Mount, Creswick s/o William MINSTER/Mary Anne PAULL [Vic 16929]
William Arnold MINSTER bp Vic m 1908 Edna Nellie PRINCE bp AP [Vic 2180]


Bendigo Advertiser
Friday 8 July 1910
OUR COUNTRY SERVICE PIANIST FINED..
Ballarat 7th July.
Arnold Minster, aged 28, a pianist employed at a local picture show, appeared at the City Court to-day charged with having assaulted Frank Alizza. and Constable Connor resisted Senior-constable Featlierstone, used obscene language and damaged property.
Sergeant Beckmann prosecuted, and Mr. Lazarus appeared for defendant, who denied all the charges. Evidence was given that defendant entered Felix Lauricelli's fruit shop yesterday, and accidentally knocked some oranges off the stand.
Alizza a little boy, called to the proprietor, and Minster brushed him away. Lauricelli tried to eject defendant, who fought strongly and some fittings were damaged.
It took five policemen to get him into the lockup.
Constable Connor, who has just some from the police hospital, was kicked in the stomach.
Constable Hayes was kicked on the head.
Defendant was fined £1 on each of the five charges, and ordered to pay 10/ damages.
A stay of proceedings for 14 days was granted.

5 January 1911 Ballarat Star

KNOWN IN BALLARAT. THE RESULT OF DRUNKENNESS. YOUNG MINSTER GOES TO GAOL.
MELBOURNE, Wednesday.
Having had his arm dislocated in a street tussle with William Minster.
Constable McLiney was unable to attend the court to-day and give evidence against that young man. The hearing was consequently adjourned for a week. The McLiney episode was only the culmination of some lawless proceedings in which Minster had been concerned. He had been making the pace very fast at a restaurant, and with a tumbler seriously damaged the visage of one Lim Kee. For this he got a mouth without, the option. In July of last year, defendant, who described himself as a clerk, was fined at
Ballarat for assault, willful damage, resisting the police and obscene language.

The West Australian
Tuesday 13 June 1911
ALLEGED LIBEL VICTORIAN NEWSPAPER SUED.
Melbourne, June 12.
An action was commenced in the County Court to-day in which William Arnold Minster, of Richmond, clerk, sought to recover from the proprietors of the Ballarat "Star" newspaper the sum of £1,500 as damages for alleged libels.
The alleged libels were contained in two issues of the newspaper and related certain events which took place in the Cafe Canton in Swanston-street, Melbourne, in January, in which the plaintiff was concerned, and certain proceedings in the Police Court, to which plaintiff was also a party. It was alleged by the plaintiff that the paragraphs complained of did not contain a full, fair, and correct report of the proceedings.
The defendants urged that the words used were not defamatory, but were fair comment on a matter of public interest, that they were justified, and were true in substance and in fact.
The case stands part heard.

15 June 1911
LIBEL ALLEGED. BALLARAT "STAR" SUED. PLAINTIFF'S CHARACTER.
The action was continued in tho County Court yesterday, before Acting Judge Neighbour and a special jury of six, in which William Arnold Minster, of Richmond, clerk toiight to recover from George Silverton Baxter and R W Baxter and Co, proprietors of the Ballarat ' Star" newspaper the sum of £1,500 us damage for alleged libel
Mr Mark Lazarus appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Wesley (instructed by Messers Cuthbert, Monow, and Must) for the defendants.
The alleged libels were contained in two issues of the newspaper, and related to certain events which took place at the Café Canton in Swanston street, in January in which the plaintiff was concerned, and certain proceedings in the police court to which the plaintiff was also a party
The plaintiff was cross-examined by Mr Wasley and denied that he had bitten Constable McLiney He could not say whether it took six constables to arrest him at Ballarat on one occasion. Witnesses said he could not remember having used the language which counsel for the defendant had read out to him
Mr Wasley: if the defendants are successful have you a pennypiece on which the defendants could lay their hands'?
Mr Lazarus: I object to such questions They are impertinent
Mr Wasley: Impertinent? It is a clear case of blackmail, a case of a man trying to get monies out of a newspaper because it honestly reports his doings' (to witness) have you got any property?
Witness: No I have not.
What have you paid your solicitor?
Thirty guineas to date.
Witness further stated that he had had a struggle with the licensee of an hotel in Ballarat. But he did not know at the time that a man who had gone to the assistance of the licensee had had his leg broken.
Several witnesses were called for the plaintiff to show he was of good character.
the case stands as part heard.


A FARTHING DAMAGES. VERDICT IN LIBEL .SUIT: COSTS TO BE ARGUED
The hearing was concluded in the County Court yesterday before Acting Judge Neighbour and a special jury of six of the action in which William Arnold Minster of Richmond clerk sought to recover from George Silverton Baxter and R W Baxter and Co proprietors of the Ballarat "Star" newspaper the sum of £1500 as damages for alleged libel.

16 June 1911 Bendigo Advertiser
NEWSPAPER SUED.
The action in which William. Arnold Minster, clerk, sought to recover from George Silverton Baxter and R. W. Baxter and Co., proprietors of the "Ballarat Star" £1500 for alleged libel was concluded in the County Court to-day. The jury returned a verdict for plaintiff for one farthing damages, and judgment was entered accord
The question of costs has yet to be decided.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 24 June 1911
LIBEL ACTION. VERDICT WITHOUT COSTS,
MELBOURNE, Friday.
Acting Judge Neighbour to-day decided that the verdict for, one farthing obtained last week by William Arnold Minster against the proprietors of the "Ballarat Star" for alleged, libel should not carry costs.


The Bathurst Times, Saturday 18 July 1914
FIGHT AT FOOTBALL MATCH, MELBOURNE, Friday.
An amusing sequel to a fist fight at the St. Kilda-Richmond football match of last Saturday was staged in the Richmond Police Court.
Jack O'Brien, a Richmond barracker was charged with assault.
William Minster gave evidence that he was a spectator at the football match between St. Kilda and Richmond on June 20.
O'Brien said that witness must be a St. Kilda barracker.
Witness said ' No,' and the next second O'Brien "gave him a crack that hit him all over the face."
He told O'Brien that he would give him in charge, and reported the matter to two constables.
O'Brien: Have you been in trouble?
Witness: That question is 'irreverent.' (Laughter.)
O'Brien: Go on, answer me. Have you been in trouble?
Witness (sharply) : I've been in lots of trouble, and am a married man (Laughter.)
Minster went on to say that his worst trouble, so far, was an appearance at court for not having had his child vaccinated.
The charge was dismissed, the chairman of the bench '(Mr. W.' Burgess) remarking that it would be a good idea for the police to take whips with them to football matches.

World War 1 Service
29 Dec 1915: Involvement 6th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres
29 Dec 1915: Embarked 6th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Demosthenes, Melbourne
5 Oct 1917: Involvement Lieutenant, 6th Infantry Battalion, Third Ypres

Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 6th Infantry Battalion
Died of wounds, Belgium, 5 October 1917, age not yet discovered
Cemetery: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery



19 October 1917
LIEUTENANT W. A. MINSTER.
Lieutenant William Arnold Minster, a native of Springmount, died on 5th October of wounds received in France. The deceased, who was 32 years of age, left for the Front in September of last year. He leaves a widow and two young children to mourn their loss. He was the eldest son of ex-Constable Wm. and Mrs. Minster, of New street, Elsternwick (formerly of Ballarat), and grandson of the late Mr. S. Paull, formerly of Springmount and Creswick, and of Mrs. Paull. who now resides with her daughter, Mrs. H. Harris, at Richmond. A brother, Cliff, had also been on active service, but returned some time ago. The relatives have the sympathy of many friends in their bereavement.

Lieutenant William Arnold MINSTER served with the 6th Battalion Australian Infantry in World War 1, enlisted Ballarat, native of Creswick, Victoria, died of wounds 5 Oct 1917 s/o William and Annie MINSTER, husband of Edna Nellie MINSTER of 2 Grosvenor Street, Middle Brighton. Memorial Panel 47, Belgium 11 Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery Belgium

MINSTER,--Died of wounds in France, 5th October, Lieutenant William Arnold Minster. loved eldest son of ex-constable William and Annie Minster, New Street, Eleternwiek. late of Ballarat and brother of Leslie, Cliff (returned) and Emeline, loving nephew of Mrs H. Harris (Richmond) and , E. Paull Ballarat; aged 32. Loved by all

CAPTAIN W. A. MINSTER: Our Ararat correspondent writes: - Capt. W. A Minster who was reported in 'The Courier." was killed at the Front, was well-known in Ararat, having occupied the position of manager of the Grampians Amusement Company when they ran pictures in the Lyceum Theatre. The flag at the Town Hall was at half-mast on Tuesday as a token of respect to the memory of deceased.
THE ROLL OF HONOR
BALLARAT AND DISTRICT MEN
CAPTAIN W. A. MINSTER.
Capt. Minster, killed in action, left Australia with his regiment in September 1915 as a Lt. but later was promoted in the field. He leaves a widow Mrs Minster of Alfred Square, St. Kilda and two children aged four and six years respectively. Capt Minster was Ballarat boy, and was born here 34 years ago. He was educated at Grenville College. He was well known in musical circles, and was the first pianist at Parthe's Pictures.
'THE ROLL OF HONOR"
BALLARAT AND DISTRICT MEN CAPTAIN W. A. MINSTER
News was received on Saturday of the death of Capt W. A. Minster, of the Australian Expeditionary Force, killed in action in France. Capt Minster left Australia with his regiment in September 1915, as a leutenant, but later was promoted in the field. He leaves a widow Mrs W.A. Minster. Alfred Square St.Kilda and two children, aged respectively four and six years. Capt Minster was a BaIlarat boy, and was born here 34 years ago.

Rank: 2nd Lieutenant lived with wife and 2 children at 201 Fitzroy Street, StKilda.
Religeon - CofE

Roll title: 6 Infantry Battalion - 13 to 18 Reinforcements (December 1915 - July 1916)
Conflict: First World War, 1914-1918
Date of embarkation: 29 December 1915
Place of embarkation: Melbourne
Ship embarked on: HMAT Demosthenes
Ship number: A64

Lt William Arnold Minster, 6th Battalion 1st AIF
died in Belgium of wounds on 5 October 1917, aged 32;
Cause of death: Died of wounds

Cemetery or memorial details: Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium
War Grave Register notes:
MINSTER, Lt. William Arnold. 6th Bn. Australian Inf.
Died of wounds 5th Oct., 1917.
Son of William and Annie Minster;
husband of Edna Nellie Minster, of 2, Grosvenor St., Middle Brighton, Victoria, Australia.
Native of Creswick, Victoria. XXV. C. 9.

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

15th October 1917

CAPTAIN W. A. MINSTER.
News was received on Saturday of the death of Captain W. A. Minster, of the Australian Expeditionary Force killed in action in France. Captain Minster left Australia with his regiment in September, 1915 as a Lieutenant, but later was promoted on the field. He leaves a widow (Mrs W. A. Minster, Alfred Square, St. Kilda, and two children, aged respectively four and six years.
Captain Minster was a Ballarat boy, having been born here 34 years ago.

The Argus " Wednesday 17 October 1917"
Minster - Died of wounds in France, on 5th October, Lieut William Arnold Minster, born at Spring Mount near Creswick, and loved eldest son of ex-constable William and Annie Minster, New St, Elsternwick, late of Ballarat brother of Leslie and Cliff [returned] and Emerline, aged 32 and 2 months. Loved by all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 6th Battalion was among the first infantry units raised for the AIF during the First World War. Like the 5th, 7th and 8th Battalions, it was recruited from Victoria and, together with these battalions, formed the 2nd Brigade.

The battalion was raised within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. It later took part in the Anzac landing on 25 April 1915, as part of the second wave. Ten days after the landing, the 2nd Brigade was transferred from Anzac to Cape Helles to help in the attack on the village of Krithia. The attack captured little ground but cost the brigade almost a third of its strength. The Victorian battalions returned to Anzac to help defend the beachhead, and in August the 2nd Brigade fought at the battle of Lone Pine. The battalion served at Anzac until the evacuation in December.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli, the battalion returned to Egypt. In March 1916, it sailed for France and the Western Front. From then until 1918 the battalion was heavily involved in operations against the German Army. The battalion’s first major action in France was at Pozières in the Somme valley in July 1916. After Pozières the battalion fought near Ypres, in Flanders, returning to the Somme for winter. In 1917, the battalion participated in the operations that followed-up the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, and then returned to Belgium to join the great offensive launched to the east of Ypres. During the battle of Menin Road in September 1917, Lieutenant Frederick Birks earned the 6th Battalion’s only Victoria Cross. Birks was killed by a shell burst the next day while trying to rescue men buried during a bombardment.

In March and April 1918 the battalion helped stop the German spring offensive and later participated in the Allies’ own offensive, launched near Amiens on 8 August 1918. The advance by British and empire troops was the greatest success in a single day on the Western Front, one that German General Erich Ludendorff described as “the black day of the German Army in this war”.

The battalion continued operations until late September 1918. At 11 am on 11 November 1918, the guns fell silent. The November armistice was followed by the peace treaty of Versailles signed on 28 June 1919.

In November 1918 members of the AIF began to return to Australia for demobilisation and discharge. In March the battalion was so reduced that it and the 7th Battalion were amalgamated to form a composite battalion. This battalion subsequently merged with another, formed from the 5th and 8th Battalions, to form the 2nd Brigade Battalion.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


MINSTER.—In loving memory of my dear husband, William Arnold Minster, who was killed in the
battle at Passchendale Ridge, France, 6th October, 1917.
Rest in peace.
—(Inserted by his loving wife and children.)


Creswick Advertiser
Friday 19 October 1917
Death on Active Service.
MINSTER.—Died of wounds in France, October 5th, Lieutenant William Arnold Minster, loved eldest son of Ex-constable William and Annie Minster, New St., Elsternwick, late of Ballarat, and brother of Leslie, Cliff (returned) and Emeline, loving nephew of Mrs H. Harris (Richmond), and E. Paull (Ballarat) aged 32.
Loved by. all.


Gordon, Egerton and Ballan Advertiser
Friday 26 October 1917
Killed in Action
Captain Arnold Minster and Pte Alfred Bromley, formerly of Ballan,have been killed in action. Both heroes spent their childhood in Ballan.
Captain Minster leaves a widow and family.