Duncan MacMillan

[Attila]

Duncan MacMillan, former Royal Marine Captain, former Flt Lieutenant SOAF and former member of the Royal Air Force - apologies for not knowing his RAF rank - died Sunday afternoon following complications after hip surgery on Thursday 12th November.

Duncan was an A2 QHI and was my instructor on Advanced Rotary at the School of Army Aviation, Middle Wallop. He was also my Flight Commander in Salerno Flight, 41 Commando Group in Malta then became the Senior Pilot for 3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron at Coypool, Plymouth. Later we were both members of SOAF at Seeb and Salalah.

An autopsy is to be performed to ascertain the cause of death and once known, funeral details will be published.

RIP, Dunc, you've passed your last check.

[teeteringhead]

RIP Duncan

there will be many a glass raised to you at the SAF Association Dinner later this month. Always a number of SOAF helis there (and some Strikies this year too I hear.)

[FILCI]

A true gentle man, great fun to work with and a loyal friend and colleague.

His parting has left a hole in the world that will be hard to fill.

RIP my old friend.

[chinook240]

I knew Duncan as one of the best Chinook QHIs and sim instructors we had, many a young sprog like me benefitted from his massive experience and sage advice.

Sadly missed.

[hedgester]

As said, a pleasure working with you and always polite. I learned loads about flying from you even if it was a box on legs..... I feel a glass in your honor coming on. RIP my friend.

[KG86]

Duncan was my first Chinook QHI, and then a colleague and friend on the Chinook Force, and at the MSHATF.

An enormously experienced pilot and instructor, and an utter gentleman. He once told me that he had had the privilege to be one of the RM officers 'guarding' the coffin of Sir Winston Churchill as he lay in state!

RIP Duncs, you left your mark on the world.

[kintyred]

Very sad news. A genuinely lovely guy with a wealth of experience and a great instructional manner. I always enjoyed listening to his pearls of wisdom. RIP

[RSuppards]

Extremely sorry to hear this news. In 1989 Duncan's umpteenth retirement left a vacancy on B Flt 32 Squadron RAF that I was lucky enough to fill. He was kindness itself during the handover/workup dispensing accumulated wisdom with ease. I developed a great respect that remains and learnt a lot about the job and more especially how to go about aviation from a consummate professional. A very sad loss. RIP my friend.

[Old-Duffer]

I seem to recall that Duncan had an MC for his time as a 'bootie'.

He gave me my first ride in a Chinook when I made a staff visit to Gutersloh. A couple of hours over the North German plain as he checked out a new sqn pilot. I never realised that you could get so large a bird into so tight a clearing but Duncan made it look so easy.

Last time I saw him was at MSHATF in circa 2002.

Smashing guy.

Old Duffer

[IronHen]

Very sad to hear of Duncan's demise. Used to work alongside him on the BA sim in Aberdeen - a lovely man and a true professional - you and your craggy smile will be greatly missed Dunc...

[Attila]

Here are the funeral arrangements for Duncan's funeral:

1230 hours, Monday 7th December at St James the Great, Radley. Oxfordshire. Then afterwards at the Bowyer Arms. Foxborough Rd, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3AE

[bellboy]

Duncan was very kind to me in the 80s when he was a QHI with 78 Sqd in the Falklands. I was a boy co-pilot with Bristow at the time and he treated me with respect. I even got a shot in the Chinook.
Not forgotten.

[OKOC]

I had the honour to attend Duncan's funeral today. There was so much I didn't know about him eg Winston Churchill's pall barer, etc etc. It was a moving day and fun seeing old friends all of whom have now got grey hair (or none at all in some cases!).

The church was packed and the lady vicar did a grand job: kind, sympathetic and all very moving. The pub afterwards was also very busy and Duncan was given a grand send-off.

Goodbye, old friend you will be missed.

OKOC