MILNE, Lachlan George
Born at Manangatang on 9 January 1951, the younger son of Mr and Mrs G D Milne, he came to the College (1962-68) from Manangatang CHS, and matriculated in 1968. In 1967, he was a member of the 3rd VIII Football XVIII and the Music Committee. In 1968, he was a member of the 2nd Cricket XI and the 2nd Football XVIII and a McArthur House Prefect. He was also a Sergeant of the College Cadet Corps.
During the Vietnam War, he served (No. 0318870) as a Pilot Officer in No. 9 Squadron in Vietnam, embarking for that country on 30 March 1971 and returning to Australia on 20 December that year.
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs lists him with Vietnam Service as a Pilot Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force (No. 9 Squadron) from 30 March 1971 to 9 December 1971.
Ad Astra in December 1984 detailed his service, and that of his brother ‘Bert’ (Albert Grant Milne):
‘The Milne brothers, ‘Bert’ (1960) and ‘Lachie’ (1965) continue to live life almost in tandem. Both are RAAF squadron-Ieaders, both served in Vietnam, both are married with three children, had exchange postings overseas as flying instructors, and are now chief flying instructors. ‘Bert’ is CFI at East Sale, home of the ‘Roulettes’, and ‘Lachie’ is CFI at Pearce in WA. They have flown a variety of aircraft including Iroquois, DC3, CT4, Caribou, C130 and Macchis. ‘Bert’ also flew Cessna 402s and Bulldogs as an exchange instructor with the Malaysian Air Force and ‘Lachie’ flew Strikemasters as an exchange instructor with the New Zealand Air Force. Between them they have more than 10,000 hours flying time.’
‘Lachie’ later became an airline pilot for Cathay Pacific and based in Hong Kong.
Sources: Ad Astra December 1984; Department of Veterans’ Affairs (Nominal Roll); ‘Geelong Collegians at the Second World War and Subsequent Conflicts’ compiled by J. Affleck p570 (citing The Pegasus; Australian War Memorial). OGC 1965.