Arthur Ventris
VENTRIS, Arthur Ventris Murphy ISO (1854-1940)
This photograph, which was taken on the 11th November, 1919 (the first Anniversary of Armistance Day) was presented to Mr Arthur Ventris I.S.O., Superintendent of the Mint with the good wishes of the Deputy Master and Officers, on the day of his retirement. 8th December 1919.
Front Row - Left to Right
D. C. Burbury, succeeded Watkins as Chief Chemist and Assayer
A. O. Watkins, Chief Chemist and Assayer
A. Ventris, Superintendent of Mint
J. F. Campbell, Deputy Master of Mint
F. E. Allum, succeeded Campbell as Deputy Master
H. A. Corbett, succeeded Allum as Deputy Master
C. O. Quigley, followed Corbett as Deputy Master
A V M Ventris was born in Plumstead Kent, England in 1854. He commenced work at the Royal Mint London in 1872 and in the 1881 Census was described as a Clerk in the Royal Mint. By 1892 he had been promoted to Deputy Superintendent.
On October 10, 1882 he married Emily Agnes Culmer at Peckham, London, England.
In August 1897 he was appointed as Superintendent of the Royal Mint, Perth. He arrived at Fremantle on the RMS China in September 1897 and assisted in the construction of the Mint for its opening on June 20, 1899. He acted for a period as Deputy Master of the Royal Mint, Perth. He retired in December 1919.
In 1919 he was awarded the Imperial Service Order for his outstanding direction of refining, melting and coining operations at the Mint.
He was a founding member of the WA Institution of Engineers and a member of the committee from 1914 to 1918. From 1918 to 1920 he served as Vice President.
His Published papers include “Evolution of Coining Machinery” (1919).
He died at his home in West Perth on August 10, 1940. His widow was remarried a year later to the prominent Perth lawyer Sir John Northmore (1865-1958).
References:
Arthur Ventris - Retirement Farewell Address
West Australian, 11.3.1898, p5
West Australian 13.8.1940 p6
