| Horrie Miller | |
|---|---|
| Born | 30 April, 1893 Ballarat, Victoria |
| Died | 1980 |
| Children | Robin Miller |
Horace Clive "Horrie" Miller OBE was a pioneer Australian aviator and co-founder of MacRobertson Miller Airlines (MMA).
Miller was born in Ballarat, Victoria.
In 1913, he traveled to England to pursue a career in aviation, obtained a job with aircraft manufacturer Sopwith and commenced flying lessons.
Following the outbreak of World War I, in 1914, Miller reportedly attempted to join the Royal Flying Corps, but was rejected.
Miller returned to Australia and in 1916 joined the Australian Flying Corps (AFC, the basis of the later Royal Australian Air Force or RAAF), as a member of the ground staff. With the rank of Corporal, he was posted to England with No. 3 Squadron. Miller was sent for training as a pilot and graduated on 14 May 1917, with the rank of Second Lieutenant.
In late 1918, Miller caught Spanish Influenza, was repatriated to Australia and was discharged from the AFC in 1919.
During 1919–25, he worked as a pilot and mechanic with flying circuses, the Defence Department, Qantas and his own air charter businesses in South Australia.
Miller briefly re-joined the RAAF as am aircraft maintenance officer, but left in 1928 to form MMA, with confectionery tycoon MacPherson Robertson. The airline was based initially in the Adelaide suburb of Albert Park.
He flew in the 1929 Western Australian Centenary Air Race, winning handicap honours.[1][2]
MMA's operations gradually became concentrated in Western Australia, where Miller later resided.
On 2 December 1938 he married Mary Durack. They had six children, including one daughter Robin Miller, an aviatrix and nurse known as "The Sugarbird Lady" after her work fighting polio.
In 1963, the Miller and the MacRobertson family sold their stakes in MMA, which became a subsidiary of Ansett; Miller continued to work for the company.