Frederick Minter

Sir Frederick Albert Minter (11 July 1887 – 12 July 1976) was a British civil engineer most notable for his restoration of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle in the 1930s. He was involved in numerous groups and organisations, and was Governor of his alma mater, Framlingham College (1937–67).

Early life and education

Minter was born in Wandsworth, London, the son of Frederick George Minter of Suffolk and Sarah Gregory of Essex. His father was a surveyor on the Southern Railway who founded the building firm F. G. Minter in 1890 in Putney. He then travelled abroad to Egypt (where he worked on the Aswan Low Dam), Australia, and New Zealand (where he worked on the Otira Tunnel).

Career

After the war, Minter joined F.G. Minter and worked on numerous projects, including many stores on Oxford Street. He was appointed managing director of the firm after his father's death in 1926.

After his father died, Minter continued the firm's involvement. He worked closely with architect Sir Charles Peers to install 76 new beasts of 14 types. Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1935 Birthday Honours, and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) in the 1959 New Year Honours. He was the first engineer to be honoured as GCVO.

Personal life

In 1912, he married Greeta Constance West, with whom he had three sons, born in 1916, 1922 and 1925 respectively. Lady Minter died in 1973. He died in 1976, the day after he had celebrated his 89th birthday. He was remembered in The Times as, "Quiet and courtly in manner and address, there can have been few who did so much for others or said so little." One of his great-grandsons is notable, being the YouTuber Miniminter.