Lunan, Athol Lorne
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Athol Lorne |
Surname | Lunan |
Gender | M |
Age | 23 |
Date of Death | 23-04-1944 |
Next of Kin | Son of James Albert Lunan and Ada May Lunan (née Ough) of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Halifax II |
Serial Number | R9384 |
Markings | -G |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Harrogate (Stonefall) Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Sec. B. Row A. Grave 19. |
Epitaph |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 2 |
Panel Number | 201 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | R/144320 |
Service | Royal Canadian Air Force |
Group | 6 |
Squadron | 1659 HCU |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | Canada |
Miscellaneous Information
Athol was born on 16 May 1920 at Toronto, Ontario. Both parents were born in Ontario. His father, was a druggist in Collingwood and his mother in Mount Albert. He had a brother, Doctor Maxwell Dorrien Lunan, a F/Lt in RCAF. Athol attended Normal Model School 1927-1936 and also North Toronto and Northern Vocational between 1936-1941. The sports he took part in were swimming, baseball, rugby and track and his hobby was mechanics. He won several cups and trophies for sports activities. Athol had no occupation as he was still a student. |
After enlisting on 26 November 1941 and finishing his training in Canada, he embarked for the U.K. on 13 September 1943. He arrived at 3 PRC on 20 September 1943, 6(0)AFU on 12 October 1943, 23 OTU on 23 November 1943 and 61 Base 19 March 1944. Athol sadly lost his life on 23 April 1944 |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Fellow Servicemen
Please note that this list gives all the losses aboard the quoted aircraft and occasionally these may have occurred on an earlier date when the aircraft was not itself lost. Please check the dates of death carefully.
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 23-04-1944 |
End Date | 23-04-1944 |
Takeoff Station | Topcliffe |
Day/Night Raid | Day |
Operation | Training |
Reason for Loss | Port outer engine caught fire immediately after takeoff and crashed at Home Farm (now called The Grange), Balderby St. James. The salvaged failed engine showed signs of mechanical failure. |