Father Colin McLean

It is with great sadness that we announced the death of Colin McLean on Thursday 9th April 2026. Colin had been ill for some months having been diagnosed with Leukaemia in late 2025. He spent his final days in care in North London and staff at the care home reported that he had a steady stream of visitors and that he was a much loved patient. Several members of the SAF Association committee were able to visit him during his last few weeks and reported quite lively and coherent conversations with him despite his illness.

Colin joined SAF in 1963. He initially served with NFR - first on secondment and then on contract, when he became 2i/c. He took command of OG in 1971 for which he was awarded a WKhM in 1973, and subsequently commanded Firqat Forces from 1974-75. He was then appointed by Brigadier Colin Maxwell to assist CSOLF with preparing Omani officers for command appointments in SAF. He remained in the headquarters at MAM until the end of his military career, returning to the UK in 1977.

After leaving Colin became an Oratorian and joined the order at the Brompton Oratory in London where, in 1981 he was ordained and became Father McLean. He was appointed to a parish in London in 1984 and served his parish loyally and with compassion for 27 years until 2011. Somewhat later, and while still serving his parish, he discovered a love of dance and joined a London based dance troupe with whom he performed in many places across Europe. He was still dancing when he was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2025.

As Father Colin McLean he took an active part in a number of SAF events culminating with him reading the Collect of the SAF Association at the re-dedication of the SAF Memorial in Staffordshire in June 2025.

A Requiem Mass for Colin was held on Wednesday 6 May at Our Lady of Hal Roman Catholic Church, Camden. The Archbishop of Westminster, the Most Reverend Richard Moth, lead the service - the Church’s farewell to a Priest regarded very highly. The Archbishop was Bishop of the Forces from 2009 - 2015. An obituary for Colin was read at the service by the Vicar General of the diocese of Westminster, Monsignor Martin Hayes.

Click here to read this obituary