Lyle Brown An original (1/65) Graduate Number 63 (Frank Miller 4/67)
Lyle Brown was born on 29 June 1945 and commenced his NS at 2 RTB on 30 June 1965 as 3787210 Recruit Brown. On 16 Jul 1965 Lyle became Cadet Brown at OTU in the first class at OTU, Class 1/65. Lyle had some previous military experience having served with No. 7 Flight Air Cadets, gaining the rank of Corporal in his first year, 1958, at now defunct Coburg High School.
With another Cadet from nearby Pascoe Vale, Lindsay Robbins, Lyle featured on Page 1 of The Coburg Courier on 21 December 1965. Lindsay and Lyle had done some socializing together while at OTU, even venturing to Mt Panorama at Bathurst in Lindsay’s car to watch most of the ‘Armstrong 500’. Lindsay owned what he described as a ‘decrepit’ 1960 VW (engine died shortly after Graduation).
(No doubt before ‘low flying’ back to Scheyville before the dreaded cut-off time for leave – Ed)
On graduating from OTU on 18 December 1965 Lyle was posted to the Royal Australian Army Ordnance Corps and undertook Corps Training followed by some time as a Platoon Commander back at 2 RTB. Lyle was enjoying the Army life and transferred to the Australian Staff Corps in Sep 1966. A posting as Assistant QM of 2 PIR in PNG was followed by a tour of Vietnam from 10 December 1970 to 23 August 1971 with 102 Field Workshop Stores Section. Lyle served twenty years in the ARA retiring with the rank of Major.
Lyle Brown passed away suddenly on 13 February this year following a stroke. He was one of those special people who were in the very first Class at Scheyville. It is interesting to note that, being born on the 29 June 1945, he started his National Service the day after his twentieth birthday.
In 1973 Lyle joined the Masonic Lodge and remained a committed member serving in the higher echelons up until his passing. As well as, and to an extent, in conjunction with, his Freemasonry activities he was actively involved with the RSL and the Vietnam Veterans.
Lyle’s funeral was held on 20th February in the Springvale (Melbourne) Crematorium’s Boyd Chapel which was filled to over flowing. The funeral included a Masonic Service and an RSL Service. There was also a collage of photos of his time at Scheyville. It was a fitting celebration of the life of a man who gave so much and was attended by six Scheyvillians: Classmates David Sabben and Tony Trevethick, Junior Classmate Rob Youl (2/65), Alistair Pope (4/66), Frank Miller (4/67) and Gus Steegstra (3/70).
The association’s sincerest condolences go to Lyle’s wife, Beth, and the family.