276

G.E. MILNES.
-2- (centre aligned)

next day and being immediately posted to No. 70 Squadron at Kabrit. From this base he took part in nine operational flights to targets at Benghazi (4), Benina, Tobruck and Derna in the Western Desert, the Island of Rhodes in the Eastern Mediterranean and Brindisi in Italy. On the 22nd February, 1941 he was attached to No. 148 Squadron at Luqa, Malta, taking part in an attack on Tripoli Harbour from there and returning to Egypt early in March. From landing grounds in the Western Desert he took part in a further five flights to targets in Tripoli, and enemy troops and mechanical transport in the Western Desert.

On the 26th September, 1941 he was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant and later on the 13th November, 1942 to the acting rank of Squadron Leader.

Squadron Leader Milne was menitoned in Despatches in the New Year's Honours List of January, 1942 for meritorious and distinguished services.

On the 18th May, 1941 he was posted to Khartoum in the Sudan and at the end of August to Lydda in Iraq. From here an Habbinniya also in Iraq he carried out communication flight duties, flying many types of aircraft. From the 11th April, 1942 until the 27th June on which date he was appointed Officer Commanding Communication Flight in Iraq, he acted as personal pilot to the Air Officer and the General Officer Commanding in Iraq.

Squadron Leader Milnes was the pilot of a Hudson aircraft engaged in a flight from Teheran, Persia to Habbaniyah, Iraq on the 18th January 1943. The aircraft failed to reach its destination and was located a few days later by Persian Calvary in the Saveh Karaghmn Mountains. All the occupants including Squadron Leader Milnes had lost their lives. (redacted They were taken to Teheran for burial there). He was buried in the Akabarabad Christian Cemetery, Persia.

4/9/54 AS2
hours as Pilot

Mr. E. Milnes (F) (right aligned)
Manningham, 62 Rhodes Street, (right aligned)
CHRISTCHURCH. (right aligned & underlined)