William Veitch Milne was born on Nguna, Vanuatu (previously New Hebrides) where he spent most of his life. He was the son of Reverend Peter Milne and Mary Jane Milne who were missionaries on that island representing the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. William V Milne was educated in New Zealand before returning to support his father as a lay missionary in 1900. He trained for the Ministery in Dunedin, 1900-1902, returning again to assist his father in 1905. When Peter Milne died in 1924, William took over the mission with his wife Jemima S Milne (nee Scott). William V Milne was killed by a local man on Nguna in 1937.