Military History

Originally with 7th Reinf. 16th Bn. Transferred to ‘C’ Coy. 28th Bn.
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Ascanius’ A11 for Egypt, 29.6.1915.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit ‘C’ Company, 28th Battalion, AIF.
Minett disembarked at Suez. He entrained to Alexandria with his Bn., joined the MEF and embarked for Gallipoli per HT ’Ivernia’ 4.9.1915. Minett became ill and was taken by the 7th Field Ambulance to hospital with jaundice 31.10.1915. He was discharged to lines 7.11.1915. The 28th Bn. was evacuated from Gallipoli to the Mudros in December 1915. Minett disembarked from HT ‘Ansonia’ at Alexandria 10.1.1916. He joined the BEF and embarked for France 15.3.1916. Minett disembarked at Marseilles 21.3.1916. The 28th Bn. were engaged in their first major battle on the Somme at Pozieres in July-August 1917 (AWM 28th Bn.) Minett was reported Missing in Action 21.7.1916. The Court of Enquiry held 4.1.1917 determined that he had been KIA in the Field at Pozieres 21.7.1916. Minett’s body was not located. His name is commemorated on the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie France. Minnett’s death was reported in local newspapers (West Australian Newspaper Casualty List 28.7.1917) (West Australian Newspaper Memoriam 29.7.1924)
Final Rank Private, 28th Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes Obituary
‘ We mourn your loss, but your actions
Sweet balm to your loved ones bring
For he’s ever a hero, the man who dies,
For his country, God and King’.
(Western Mail KIA 3.11.1916.)

Photo Camp Chronicle 16.11.1916 p2, 
           The Sun 5.11.1916 p2
            HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph source AWM H16157
            Horses and Guns going ashore at Gallipoli 1915. Photographer Darge Studios, photograph source AWM J0326
            Main Street Pozieres, 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A05776
            Australian graves at Pozieres  12 months after the battle, 1917.  Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E00998
            Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photogapher unknown, photograph source H17454

Information Source
AWM H16157. HMAT 'Ascanius' 1914. Photographer E.L. Mitchell, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  J0326. Horses and Guns going ashore at Gallipoli 1915. Photographer Darge Studios, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  A05776. Main Street Pozieres, 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E00998. Australian graves at Pozieres  12 months after the battle, 1917.  Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM H17454. Villers-Bretonneux Australian Memorial, dedicated in 1938. Photogapher unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Roll William Henry Minett
AWM Roll of Honour- William Henry Minett
AWM Red Cross File
Camp Chronicle Midland
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Minett W
The Sun
West Australian Newspaper
Western Mail
Wise H. and Coy. Western Australian Post Office Directories.S LWA

53 Helena Street, Guildford, WA.

Associated Images