Lance Milne CBE

In the mid 70s, I sold my house at Stirling to a well-known member of the local Democrats called Lance Milne. He was the first to view the house, said he loved it, and bought it instantly. He subsequently gave me this very nice signed photograph. The date on the photo had nothing to do with the date he gave it to me!

The photo lay in my files till today when I was tidying up odd bits and pieces. It got me interested in knowing more of his background. Here is what I found out.

"Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Lancelot Milne CBE (16 August 1915 – 27 December 1995), generally known as Lance Milne, was an Australian Democrats member of the South Australian Legislative Council from 1979 to 1985.

He was the son of architect F. Kenneth Milne (1885–1980), and great-grandson of Sir William Milne (1822–1895), of the Milne & Co. family business of wine and spirit merchants. In 1937, Milne published Ostrich Heads, a book predicting an upcoming war and encouraging young Australians to become involved in public life.

After the outbreak of the Second World War, Milne became a highly competent airman in the military, with his superior officer stating: Popular amongst his fellows, he [Milne] has a frank countenance and manner. Milne reached the rank of Flight Lieutenant and piloted Supermarine Spitfires during World War II.

Milne was elected President of the South Australian Democrats in 1977 and was elected to the South Australian Legislative Council in September 1979, being the first member of the Parliament for the Democrats. Milne Milne died at his home in Stirling on 27 December 1995 of cancer."