Date of birth:

September 20th, 1915 (Lethbridge/Alberta, Canada)

Date of death:

November 19th, 1941 (St. Lo/Manche, France)

Service number:

37632

Nationality:

Canadian

Lionel Elmer Gaunce was born on September 20th, 1915 as the son of Earl and Hope Gaunce. He was married to Paula Ganice.
Lionel was killed in action on November 19th, 1941 when his Supermarine Spitfige Mk. Vb, AB858 was shot down near St. Lo, France by a Messerachmitt Bf 109.

Promotions:
March 9th, 1936: Acting Pilot Officer;
January 6th, 1937: Pilot Officer;
August 6th, 1938: Flying Officer;
?: Acting Flight Lieutenant;
August 6th, 1940: Flight Lieutenant;
?: Acting Squadron Leader.

Career:
January 1936 - September 1936: Conversion training, Great Britain;
September 17th, 1936 - February 28th, 1940: No. 3 Squadron;
February 28th, 1940 - October 31st, 1940: No. 615 Squadron;
October 31st, 1940 - December 1st, 1940: No. 46 Squadron;
June 21st, 1941: RAF Station Kenley;
July 16th, 1941 - September 21st, 1941: Squadron Leader No. 41 Squadron;
September 27th, 1941 - Novmber 19th, 1941: Squadron Leader No. 41 Squadron.

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Flight Lieutenant

Awarded on:

August 23rd, 1940

Citation:
"This flight commander has displayed excellent coolness and leadership since the return of the squadron to England. In July, 1940, his flight took part in resisting an enemy air attack on Dover, when three of our aircraft were attacked by forty Junkers 87 's. At least two of the enemy aircraft were shot down. Flight Lieutenant Gaunce has shot down three enemy aircraft since returning to England."

• Photo 1: Tom MacNeill
• - The London Gazette of 24th March 1936, Issue 34267
  - The London Gazette of 26th January 1937, Issue 34363
  - The London Gazette of 16th August 1938, Issue 34542
  - The London Gazette of 23rd August 1940, Issue 34929
  - The London Gazette of 27th September 1940, Issue 34954
  - The London Gazette of 9th September 1941, Issue 35270
  - Ciel de Gloire
  - Rootsweb
  - Steve Brew Websites
  - Commonwealth Wargraves Commission