Van Vanthoff
Australian public servant (1894–1967)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Percival Evert Russell "Van" Vanthoff OBE (12 January 1894 – 30 July 1967) was a senior Australian public servant. He was Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department from May until December 1958.
12 January 1894
Van Vanthoff | |
|---|---|
| Director-General of the Postmaster-General's Department | |
| In office 21 May 1958 – 31 December 1958 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Percival Evert Russell Vanthoff 12 January 1894 Cobram, Victoria |
| Died | 30 July 1967 (aged 73) Richmond, Melbourne, Victoria |
| Spouse | Ruby Ella Shanks (m. 1924) |
| Occupation | Public servant |
Life and career
Van Vanthoff was born in Cobram, Victoria on 12 January 1894 to parents Isaac and Mary Jane Vanthoff.[1]
In World War I, Vanthoff served in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force.[1]
He was appointed Director-General of Posts and Telegraphs, heading the Postmaster-General's Department, in May 1958.[2] In the role, he oversaw development of an automatic teleprinter switching system for telegraphs, and worked to provide a six-tube coaxial cable between Sydney and Melbourne.[1] Vanthoff retired in December 1958.[1]
Vanthoff died on 30 July 1967 in Richmond, Melbourne.[1]
Awards
In January 1955 Vanthoff was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.[3]
