Duncan MacMillan
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 65
Likes: 2
From: Spain
Duncan MacMillan
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.
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.
Gentleman Aviator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,722
Likes: 91
From: Teetering Towers - somewhere in the Shires
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.)
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.)
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Wilts
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.
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.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: The Marches
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.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 21
From: Northamptonshire
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
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
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: uk
What a lovely gentleman
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...
Last edited by IronHen; 18th November 2015 at 14:58. Reason: Typo
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 65
Likes: 2
From: Spain
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
1230 hours, Monday 7th December at St James the Great, Radley. Oxfordshire. Then afterwards at the Bowyer Arms. Foxborough Rd, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 3AE
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: The world is my lobster
Sad News
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.
Not forgotten.
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 302
Likes: 12
From: EGDL
Duncan's Funeral
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
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
