Major General David McLachlan AO (Rtd)
Rye Ambassador
David McLachlan was born in Harden NSW on 13 March 1937. He graduated from the Officer Cadet School, Portsea in December 1959 and was allotted to the Royal Australian Army Service Corps.
The early years of his service saw regimental and staff appointments in Australia. Malaysia during Confrontation with Indonesia, and in South Vietnam. He underwent training in the United Kingdom, attending the University of Reading in 1970 and 1971 and followed with a series of attachments to British and United States Army units in Germany. Postings in Australia followed.
In January 1986, David McLachlan was promoted to Brigadier and assumed the appointment of Chief of Staff, Headquarters Logistic Command, an appointment he held for three and a half years. Further overseas study occurred during this time with attendance at the US Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. In July 1989 he moved to Sydney as Commander 2nd Military District where he stayed until the end of 1990.
Returning to Melbourne in January 1991 he was promoted to Major General and assumed the appointment of General Officer Commanding Logistic Command. Logistic Command was a national Command with 10,000 military and civilian personnel, and assets valued at over $2.5billion, located in 67 different locations throughout Australia.
David McLachlan retired from the Regular Army in March 1994. He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1989 and promoted to Officer in the Order in the Queen's Birthday list in 1993.
He is now is the Chairman of Industry Capability Network Ltd, acts as a Corporate Advisor to a number of listed companies, is a Director of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia and a Trustee of the Shrine of Remembrance. Since June 2002 he has been the State President of the Victorian Branch of the Returned and Services League. He was also, proudly, the Honorary Colonel of the 4th/19th Prince of Wales Light Horse Regiment until late last year.
David is married to Louise; they have three children and live in Beaumaris.