Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

HENRY MINTER

Rank in the Australian Imperial Forces: Private
Regimental Number. 758
Age: 24 years and 10 months on enlistment
Place of Birth: Westgate On Sea, Kent, England
Occupation prior to enlistment: Labourer
Marital Status: Single
Description: 70 Inches tall, 10 stone and 6 pounds in weight, chest 34 to 36 inches, fair
complexion, grey eyes and fair flair.

Father. Mr William MINTER
26 Brier's Avenue,
Margate, England
Religion: Church of England
Service Outline in the A.I.F:

Henry had served three years and 10 months with the East Anglian Territorials, Royal Engineers, prior to coming to Australia.
He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Forces in Toowoomba, Queensland on the 20th October, 1914 and was sent to a camp at Enoggera with Queensland's 15th
Battalion. The 15th Battalion were sent to a camp in Broadmeadows, Victoria in November of 1914.

On the 22nd December, 1914, E Company, 15th Battalion, 4th Brigade, 1st Division, AIF, embarked for the Middle East from Melboume aboard the
Transport Ship A40 'Ceramic'. On the 2nd February, 1915, Henry disembarked at Alexandria and his battalion were sent to Aerodrome Camp, 9 miles from Cairo, followed by training near Tel El Kebir.

Returning to Alexandria in early April, the 15th Bn embarked on the Transport Ship 'Australind' for Lemnos Island for further training and landing practice. On the 24th April, 1915, the 'Australind' embarked Lemnos bound for the Dardenalles straits. At dawn on the 25th April, Australian troops landed on the beaches of what is now known as Anzac Cove., located on the coast of the small town of Gallipoli, Turkey. From the landing, operations were conducted around Shrapnel Gully and the beach area as the Australian's attempted to obtain a foothold.

After the initial confusion, the 15th Battalion were positioned at Pope's Hill on the 30th, April, 1915, under constant enemy machine gun fire. The position was
assaulted and the 15th Bn held for two days until ordered to retire on the 4th May for a day's rest. Two days later, they returned to the front line at Quinns Post which was only 15 yards from enemy trenches. The Turkish positions were attached successfully on the 9th May, 1915 but the 15th Bn were ordered to retire the next day due to outflanking by the enemy.

On the 20th May, 1915, the enemy counter attacked on Quinn's Post. This action left 5000 enemy dead in front of Quinns Post. Three days later on the 23rd May, an
Armistice was held to recover casualties and bury the dead. Australians and Turks fraternised. The 15th Bn were moved to a 'rest area', 300 yards to the rear on the 30th May, with a rapid return the next day to Quinns Post to repel enemy in the process of wrestling the old defensive positions from holding troops with underground mines and assaults.

They returned to the 'rest area' near the Beach on the 2nd June, 1915. Mid June 1915, saw them tasked with digging communications trenches towards the left flank from Walter's Ridge Reserve Position.

AUGUST OFFENSIVE - The Breakout

The allies attempted to launch major attacks to help the British forces landing at Suvla Bay and to push the Turks back in an attempt to break the stalemate.
The 15th Bn attempted a night move on the 6th August, 1915 to the left flank through the Aghyle Dere gully against constant opposition, in anticipation of the
major friendly attacks at Lone Pine, Suvla Bay, Chunuk Bair and the Nek. Further nights moves were conducted towards key enemy positions of Abdel
Rahman Bair and thence Hill 971 on the 7th August, 1915, with continuing stiff resistance and close quarter fighting for several days. (The 15th Battalion's
casualties on these two night moves were, 103 killed, 262 wounded and 95 missing.)

On the 8th August, 1915, Henry MINTER was wounded in action with gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and neck. He was taken by stretcher to the 4th field
Ambulance. Henry Minter died of wounds three days later at the 13th Casualty Clearing Station, Gallipoli on the 11th August, 1915.

Buried at the Embarkation Pier Cemetery, Support Memorial C.23, Gallipoli by Reverend J. C GIBSON.
Awarded 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal 1914-19 plus Memorial Plaque and scroll. All sent to Mr. W MINTER.