Hilary Minster

Hilary Minster
Born Roger Michael Hilary Minster
21 March 1944
Surrey, England
Died 24 November 1999 (aged 55)
Kensington and Chelsea, London, England
Occupation Actor

Roger Michael Hilary Minster, better known as Hilary Minster, (21 March 1944[1] – 24 November 1999)[2] was an English character actor.

Born in Surrey, England, he is perhaps best known for playing General Erich Von Klinkerhoffen in the sitcom 'Allo 'Allo! between 1984 and 1992.[3] Other credits include Crossroads; Tinker, Tailor, Soldier Spy; and a semi-regular role in Secret Army as Hauptmann Muller. Minster also had a brief period writing scripts with Kenneth Williams for the latter's International Cabaret television show.[3]

In 1974, Minster appeared as Lieutenant Lightfoot in the Upstairs, Downstairs episode "Facing Fearful Odds." He also appeared twice in Doctor Who, as the Thal soldier Marat in Planet of the Daleks (1973) and as an unnamed Thal soldier in Genesis of the Daleks (1975). This makes him one of the few Doctor Who actors to have played two characters from the same alien race. He also had a major part in another episode of a successful science fiction series playing Yagon in "Achilles Heel,' an episode of The Tomorrow People, in 1978.

Hilary Minster's grave at Putney Vale Cemetery, London, in 2015

His film appearances were scarce but include roles in A Bridge Too Far (1977), The Godsend (1980), Cry Freedom (1987) and The Girl in a Swing (1988).

He was a presenter and producer of Central Independent Television's flagship ethnic minorities current affairs programme Here and Now during the early 1980s.[4][5]

Minster provided the narration for the controversial Central television documentary The Men Who Killed Kennedy, which outlined various theories concerning the assassination of the American president John F. Kennedy.

He is buried at Putney Vale Cemetery in London. His epitaph reads "The noblest of men. He brought laughter to a million hearts. Loving father to Leo, Quona, Jack and Lyall. Beloved partner to Nicola. So sorely missed. My wonder".

Confusion over date of birth

There is some confusion in other biographies as to the year of his birth. Other dates given are 19 September 1939 and 21 March 1945. According to the BBC DVD Genesis of the Daleks, Hilary Minster was born in 1945. According to the births index he was born in June 1944[6]

References

  1. ↑ GRO Register of Births JUN 1944 2a 1045 SURREY S.W. – Roger M. H. Minster, mmn = Cochran-Carr
  2. ↑ GRO Register of Deaths: NOV 1999 B60B 5 KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA – Roger Michael H. Minster, DoB = 21 Mar 1944, aged 55
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Stevens, Christopher (2010). Born Brilliant: The Life Of Kenneth Williams. John Murray. p. 400. ISBN 1-84854-195-3.
  4. ↑ "MACE The Media Archive for Central England | Media clipHere and Now [Programme 186]". Macearchive.org. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  5. ↑ Picasa Web Albums – TheStirrer.com – POGUS CAESAR
  6. ↑ Free BMD

External links