MACLEAN Hector Neil
career soldier 1926 - 2005

Hec Maclean was born in Inverell NSW, his military career beginning at 19 years of age when he enlisted in the AIF. Recruit Training was completed at Greta Camp and then a Driving and Maintenance Course at the Service Training Centre Ingleburn. His first posting was to the staff of the Service Training Centre as an acting sergeant: he never held the rank of Corporal. In 1947 he was posted to 2nd Military District as part of 3 Reinforcement Bn for BCOF in Japan.

On arrival in Kure Sgt Maclean was posted as the OC 6 MAC Pl, followed platoon sergeant 120 Tpt Pl of 168 GT Coy. During 1949 he conducted driving and servicing courses at Kure for HQ CRASC, and later was posted to 253 Aust Sup Dep Pl. In 1950 Hec was appointed OC UN Transit Camp in Kure. He had a short detachment to a British supply unit at Taegu in the Korean War in 1951.

Returning to Australia in 1952 he was posted to N Comd Trade Trg Centre as Assistant Instructor Driving and Maintenance, followed by Transport Sergeant 101 Tpt Pl South Brisbane. He was transferred to 1 RAR Enoggera as Transport Sergeant and during this time was detached to the Royal Visit Car Coy. Then in 1954, back to Korea with 1 RAR.  

Returning to Australia in 1955 he had two brief postings to 101 Sup Dep Pl and 101 Tpt Pl before being posted as Platoon Sergeant 11 NS Trg Bn Wacol, and then back to N Cond Trade Trg Centre. Hec was promoted WO2 on posting to HQ E Comd Troops RAASC Randwick in 1959.  

This was followed by postings to: 7 Coy RAASC at Coburg as CSM; N Comd Trade Trg Centre which included two detachments to PNG to conduct driver training courses; 41 Coy RAASC as CSM; and 102 Coy as CSM.   In 1973 he was posted as SSM 161 Recce Flight and then 171 Operational Spt Sqn, both at Oakey. He elected discharge in Brisbane in 1974.

After leaving the army, Hec was employed with Wormald Security before working for many years with Queensland Department of Harbours and Marine. He took up flying light aircraft in his later life, but gave it up due to increased costs when government subsidies were withdrawn.   He retired to Mudgeeraba on the Gold Coast in 1989.  

Hec married Kath in 1971; each had two sons from previous marriages. Hec passed away at Mudgeeraba in August 2005.