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Date

Original Topic

8th December 2002

Two Archibald Berkeley Milnes? By Edward Garcia Was Chelmsford�s Naval ADC Archibald Berkeley Milne the same person as the Vice-Admiral Milne who led the unsuccessful Mediterranean pursuit of the German cruisers Goeben and Breslau during World War I? I have not much reference much about the Lt. Archibald Berkeley Milne who served on Chelmsford�s staff aside form his viewing the camp at Isandlwana and reporting that it was just cattle that had been moved into the camp. The Vice-Admiral Milne seemed to be of a somewhat doubtful character who was quoted as saying "they don't pay me to think, they pay me to be an Admiral." And that he "never disobeyed an order and never used his discretion." Queen Alexandra also referred him to fondly as "Arky-Barky" during his tenure as Flag Officer, Royal Yachts. As a result of his complete failure in his pursuit of the German cruisers, Admiral Milne sat out the rest of the war without commission and on half pay. If indeed both are the same man then perhaps Chelmsford would have been better served sending someone else up that tree to report on the events taking place at the camp at Isandlwana.