Lyle boarded at the College from 1947 to 1950, starting at the Preparatory School. He was dux of his class in Form II and received the Junior Boxing Prize in 1950.  His younger brother Robert also attended the College (OGC 1952).

Following school, Lyle was enlisted in the National Service at Puckapunyal and studied wool classing at the Gordon. He went on to a career in wool classing and owned a property engaged in sheep grazing and cropping.  He was married to Heather and they had four children. Lyle had a longstanding interest in local, family and military history, and supported the local RSL and related historical activities, including a number of publications.