Flying Officer Laurence "Lorne" James Sullivan

Laurence “Lorne” James Sullivan was born in Montreal on 22 July 1920, the son of John Lawrence Sullivan and Gertrude Hazeltine. His service records generally use the spelling Lawrence. He attended Belmont and Catholic High School in Montreal, completed commercial studies and worked as an office clerk for Canadian Fine Color Co. Ltd. He enjoyed paddling, swimming, skiing and skating; a medical history records a provincial paddling championship. His family also lived at Chateauguay Basin. After reserve service with the Victoria Rifles of Canada, Sullivan enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force at Montreal on 7 February 1941, number R-79106. He trained at No. 1 Wireless School in Montreal, No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School at Fingal and No. 31 Operational Training Unit at Debert, qualifying as a wireless operator/air gunner. He recovered from pneumonia contracted at Debert in December 1941 and subsequently served with RAF Ferry Command before proceeding overseas in June 1942. He joined No. 423 Squadron at Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, in July 1942. During his Coastal Command service he completed 64 operational sorties and 802 hours 30 minutes of operational flying. In July 1943 he sustained slight facial shrapnel injuries when his Sunderland was attacked by enemy aircraft. He received treatment at Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast and returned to his unit. Sullivan advanced through Sergeant, Flight Sergeant and Warrant Officer ranks before receiving a commission as Pilot Officer on 21 September 1943, number J-85135. He subsequently served as a signals instructor at No. 4 Coastal Operational Training Unit at Alness, Scotland, and became Temporary Flying Officer on 21 March 1944. He completed an aircrew officers’ course at Hereford that summer. He returned to Canada on special aircrew leave in September 1944. He elected to return to civilian life and was retired from active service on 14 February 1945, transferring to the RCAF General Reserve. He had already begun work with Jarvis Robertson Co. Ltd. and planned night-school studies in heating engineering. His recorded awards include the 1939–45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp and RCAF Operational Wings. Sullivan died in Ottawa on 12 May 2006.

1920-07-22 — Born at Montreal to John Lawrence Sullivan and Gertrude Hazeltine; known as Lorne in existing profile; Montreal, Quebec.
1933 to 1938 — Attended Belmont school 1933–1937 and Catholic High School 1937–1938, graduating in commercial studies; Montreal, Quebec.
1938 to 1939 — Unemployed after school; Montreal, Quebec.
1939-09 to 1941-02 — Office clerk for Canadian Fine Color Co. Ltd., printing-ink manufacturer; earlier interview describes Carter’s Ink manufacture; Montreal, Quebec.
1940-08 to 1941-02-06 — Prior reserve service with 2nd Battalion, Victoria Rifles of Canada, army number D-502048; qualified Sergeant, actual departure rank Corporal. Some histories begin July 1940; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-01-22 to 1941-01-23 — Applied and interviewed for RCAF aircrew; above-average interview, eventually considered officer material, preferred air gunner duties. Active paddler, swimmer, skier and skater; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-01-24 to 1941-01-30 — Recruiting medical examination, A3B. Height 67.5 inches, weight 144 pounds, expired chest 34 inches, expansion 3; fair complexion, blond hair, blue eyes. Questionable initial chest X-ray followed by normal cardiac assessment and approved negative X-ray; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-02-06 — Struck off reserve battalion as Corporal to join RCAF; 2nd Battalion, Victoria Rifles of Canada, Montreal, Quebec.
1941-02-07 — Attested as Aircraftman 2nd Class, R-79106, RCAF Special Reserve, wireless operator/air gunner student. Single, Roman Catholic, office clerk; father John Lawrence next of kin at 5852 Sherbrooke Street West; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-02-08 — Proceeded by CNR from Bonaventure Station to No. 1 Manning Depot, arriving Toronto 0820; Toronto, Ontario.
1941-02-10 — Dental examination at No. 1 Manning Depot; partial upper denture and treatment requirements recorded; Toronto, Ontario.
1941-03-25 — Transferred to No. 1 C.A.C. Depot; Saint John, New Brunswick.
1941-05-26 — Posted to No. 1 Wireless School, Course 18; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-06-28 — Promoted Leading Aircraftman; one ledger reads 26 June; No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec.
1941-07-23 — Identification photograph/card and fingerprints recorded at No. 1 Wireless School; later physical-description entries differ from initial examination; Montreal, Quebec.
1941-10-10 to 1941-10-12 — Passed wireless training, 707/1000, 70.7%, 67th of 107; authorized Wireless Operator’s Badge 12 October; No. 1 Wireless School, Montreal, Quebec.
1941-10-12 to 1941-10-13 — Transferred to No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal; receiving movement 12 October, Course 18 began 13 October, earlier departure record 11 October; Fingal, Ontario.
1941-11-07 — Qualified wireless operator/air gunner, promoted paid Temporary Sergeant and authorized Air Gunner’s Badge; declared fit for overseas; No. 4 Bombing and Gunnery School, Fingal, Ontario.
1941-11-08 — Final combined training pass, 1022/1450, 70.5%, 22nd of 35; average assessment, not then recommended for commission; Fingal, Ontario.
1941-11-08 to 1941-11-21 — Embarkation leave recorded, followed by posting to No. 31 OTU; Canada.
1941-11-21 — Taken on strength No. 31 Operational Training Unit after departure from Fingal 20 November; Debert, Nova Scotia.
1941-12-22 to 1942-01-06 — Hospitalized for left-base lobar pneumonia, initially labelled influenza; improved with sulphathiazole and discharged to medical board; RAF Hospital, Debert, Nova Scotia.
1942-01-06 to 1942-01-20 — Medical board recommended two weeks sick leave and temporary unfitness; after convalescence found fit to resume duty 20 January, A3B; approval 6 February; Debert, Nova Scotia.
1942-02-16 to 1942-05-08 — Course 6, No. 31 OTU: Anson/Hudson wireless training, 18h25 day and 12h15 night; Morse 25 wpm at 95%. Recommended for Ferry Command duties in 9 May report; Debert, Nova Scotia.
1942-03-14 to 1942-03-27 — Fourteen days privilege leave; transport warrant issued 12 March; Canada.
1942-05-07 — Appointed paid Acting Flight Sergeant, subsequently confirmed paid Temporary Flight Sergeant retrospectively from same date; approval 26 June; No. 31 OTU, Debert, Nova Scotia.
1942-05-08 — Posted to RAF Ferry Command; later attachment entries show late May/early June; Canada.
1942-05-21 to 1942-05-24 — Four days special privilege leave recorded; Canada.
1942-06-02 — Proceeded via Presque Isle, Maine, Stephenville and Gander before overseas ferry movement; United States; Newfoundland.
1942-06-04 to 1942-06-05 — Overseas movement recorded as departure 4 June and UK arrival 5 June; administrative dates vary and are distinguished from physical travel; Newfoundland to United Kingdom.
1942-06-07 — Posted to No. 3 Personnel Reception Centre; United Kingdom.
1942-07-20 — Transferred to No. 423 Squadron, wireless operator/air gunner, Coastal Command; Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1942-08-20 to 1942-08-26 — Pay correspondence corrected embarkation rank from Sergeant to Flight Sergeant: Canadian $3.75/day and RAF nine shillings sixpence, rather than eight shillings sixpence; London; Gloucester, England, United Kingdom.
1942-09-20 to 1944-01-09 — Certified operational tour with No. 423 Squadron: 64 sorties, 802h30. Detailed certificate starts 20 September 1942; duplicate misreads February. Sunderland aircraft documented in casualty and repatriation records; Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1942-11-17 — Promoted paid Temporary Warrant Officer Class II; No. 423 Squadron, Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1942-11-24 to 1942-12-14 — Twenty-one days privilege leave; United Kingdom.
1943 early — Release medical history recalls two or three days treatment for acute gastritis at station sick quarters; exact dates unstated; RAF Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-02-20 to 1943-03-01 — NCO assessment, satisfactory trade work and very good loyalty; ordinary promotion recommended, commission not then supported; no conduct entries reported for preceding year; No. 423 Squadron, Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-03-01 — Regraded wireless operator/air gunner Group I; No. 423 Squadron, United Kingdom.
1943-03-16 to 1943-03-29 — Fourteen days privilege leave in detailed record; United Kingdom.
1943-04-06 to 1943-04-15 — Dental treatment recorded; United Kingdom.
1943-05-17 — Promoted paid Temporary Warrant Officer Class I; No. 423 Squadron, Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-06-05 to 1943-06-21 — June leave recorded, 14 days plus 48-hour pass; end date 20/21 June varies by copy; United Kingdom.
1943-07-22 — Slight facial shrapnel injury during air operations when Sunderland III DD860 was attacked by enemy aircraft; aircraft damaged but did not crash. Injury date varies in copied entries; 22 July in detailed casualty-linked records; No. 423 Squadron, Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-07-23 — Radiographs: small fragment in upper lip; recurrent right-knee pain investigated, no bone injury or disease; Fermanagh County Hospital, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-07-26 — Mother notified of slight superficial facial injury; station medical officer referred retained lip fragment for removal at Royal Victoria Hospital; Ottawa, Ontario; Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-07-27 to 1943-07-29 — Admitted for shrapnel lodged in upper lip, returned to unit 29 July; admission notification also gives 24 July in one copy; Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-07-29 to 1943-08-03 — Mother requested news 29 July; casualties officer replied 3 August that no further report had arrived because injury was slight; Montreal, Quebec; Ottawa, Ontario.
1943-08-01 — Clinical procedure note dated 1 August records incision under local anaesthetic and magnet removal of fragment from left upper lip; date conflicts with July hospital discharge and is preserved separately; Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-08-24 to 1943-09-10 — August-September leave, 14 days plus 48-hour pass in detailed record; copied return dates 8/9/10 September differ; United Kingdom.
1943-09-17 — Attached from No. 423 Squadron to an APC establishment, numbered 1 in one copy and 3 in another; precise expansion not secure; United Kingdom.
1943-09-20 to 1943-09-21 — Discharged from airman service on 20 September and appointed Pilot Officer effective 21 September, new officer number J-85135; No. 423 Squadron, United Kingdom.
1943-09-24 to 1943-10-01 — Assessment recorded 643h55 operational flying, including 402h50 in preceding six months; keen, skilful and responsible on operations. Commission comments reflect retrospective/overlapping NCO paperwork; No. 423 Squadron, Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-09-27 to 1943-10-01 — Later release history records Belfast treatment for retained upper-lip shrapnel in this period. Castle Archdale transfer copies also give September, while an amended copy appears July; separate readmission cannot be securely established; Castle Archdale; Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-10-31 to 1943-11-04 — Five days privilege leave; one copy gives 14 November; United Kingdom.
1943-11-09 — No. 423 Squadron confirmed retrospective Warrant Officer II and I promotions; Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
1943-11-29 to 1943-12-16 — Leave, 14 days plus 48 hours, also recorded as special leave with subsistence allowance; one copy ends 14 December; United Kingdom.
1944-01-12 — Commanding officer certified completion of operational tour and eligibility for RCAF Operational Badge; confirmation dated January/February in copies; No. 423 Squadron, United Kingdom.
1944-01-14 to 1944-01-31 — January leave; various copies give 27, 29 or 31 January end, with 14 days plus 48-hour pass or special leave allowances; United Kingdom.
1944-01-15 — Canadian Volunteer Service Medal ribbon and maple-leaf clasp authorized; United Kingdom.
1944-01-24 — Faint attachment from No. 423 Squadron, place read as Helensburgh/Hemswell in copies; precise destination unconfirmed; United Kingdom.
1944-02-01 to 1944-02-05 — Transferred to No. 4 Coastal Operational Training Unit as signals instructor; main posting 1 February, officer report joins 5 February; Alness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
1944-03-02 — Station medical officer requested return of Belfast clinical notes sent to Ministry of Pensions in August 1943; Castle Archdale, Northern Ireland; Blackpool, England, United Kingdom.
1944-03-21 — Promoted Temporary Flying Officer; 25 March reposting entry reflects recognition of commission, not a new commission; No. 4 Coastal Operational Training Unit, Alness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
1944-04-09 to 1944-04-24 — Privilege leave, 14 days plus 48 hours; United Kingdom.
1944-04-27 — Signed commission acceptance, oath and family declaration; parents John and Gertrude at 903 Girouard Avenue; RAF Station Alness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
1944-06-07 to 1944-06-13 — Seven days privilege leave; one copied ledger gives 9–15 June; United Kingdom.
1944-06-21 to 1944-07-19 — Aircrew Officers School course, Hereford; 67% overall, average, returned to unit. Detailed report controls copied Sheffield location and 62% mark; Hereford, England, United Kingdom.
1944-06-28 — Annual assessment at No. 4 COTU: satisfactory conduct, shaping well; total flying 1214h20 including 91h30 in preceding six months; Alness, Scotland, United Kingdom.
1944-08-17 to 1944-09-11 — Prepared for special aircrew leave; overseas HQ holding entries vary, RCAF R Depot posting 11 September in officer record; United Kingdom.
1944-09-12 — Requested Transport Command employment, preferably on Liberators, when applying for special aircrew leave; preference, not confirmed posting; United Kingdom.
1944-09-14 — Signed security declaration for return to Canada at R Depot; United Kingdom.
1944-09-16 to 1944-09-17 — Embarked for Canada at Greenock, day 16/17 September differs across records; Greenock, Scotland, United Kingdom.
1944-09-25 to 1944-09-26 — Disembarked New York 25 September, reported at Rockcliffe 25/26 September on temporary duty; separate financial overseas accounting continued later; New York, United States; Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1944-09-27 — Ceased temporary duty at No. 1 Repatriation Depot, proceeded to No. 3 Training Command with leave address 903 Girouard Avenue; Montreal, Quebec.
1944-09-28 to 1944-10-27 — Thirty days special aircrew leave, initially followed by intended return overseas; directed to report to No. 1 Y Depot on 28 October; Montreal, Quebec.
1944-09-29 to 1944-10-03 — Officer commission script sent to mother Gertrude on 29 September, acknowledged 3 October; 903 Girouard Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
1944-10-14 — Elected opportunity to return to civilian life and requested Reserve transfer rather than return to UK for a second tour; No. 1 Y Depot, Lachine, Quebec.
1944-10-29 — Administrative strength taken on No. 1 Repatriation Depot from overseas headquarters; later movement messages use November reporting dates; Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1944-10-29 to 1944-11-08 — Eleven days special leave recorded; Canada.
1944-11-08 — Signed formal retirement application and commission/oath paperwork; reported 802h30 operational flying and intended Montreal residence; Lachine, Quebec.
1944-11-12 to 1944-11-13 — Posting to No. 1 Repatriation Depot ordered effective 12 November, report 13 November; train departure from Montreal West recorded; Montreal West, Quebec; Rockcliffe, Ontario.
1944-11-15 to 1944-12-14 — Thirty days special leave recorded; separate declaration reads an uncertain 17 November start; 903 Girouard Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
1944-11-20 to 1944-12-05 — Retirement processed: board recommended 21 November, minister approved 29 November, release approval recorded 1 December; 5 December instructions authorized retirement on completion of documents and leave, transfer General Reserve Class E; Ottawa, Ontario.
1944-12-12 — Letter of appreciation for faithful and conscientious RCAF service sent to civilian address; 903 Girouard Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
1944-12-14 to 1945-01-17 — Further special leave recorded, duration entered as 36 days; Canada.
1945-01-18 to 1945-01-31 — Fourteen days annual leave; 22 January order describes 44 days leave expiring before reporting to release centre; Canada.
1945-02-01 to 1945-02-02 — Posted from repatriation pool to No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine; effective posting 1 February and reporting/receiving 2 February; Lachine, Quebec.
1945-02-05 to 1945-02-10 — Release medical board, explicitly non-medical retirement; eye symptoms after facial shrapnel investigated, essentially normal ophthalmic findings and no employment limitations; No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec.
1945-02-12 to 1945-02-13 — Counselling: already employed by Jarvis Robertson Co. Ltd.; planned heating-engineering night school and furniture purchase with re-establishment credit; Lachine; Montreal, Quebec.
1945-02-14 — Retired as Flying Officer under KR(Air) 151(1)(i), transferred RCAF General Reserve, General Section, Class E. Normal end of voluntary emergency service, address 903 Girouard Avenue; General Service Badge 120678; No. 2 Release Centre, Lachine, Quebec.
1945-03-16 — Canadian Pension Commission notified of Reserve transfer effective 14 February; medical proceedings enclosed; Ottawa, Ontario.
1945-04-05 — War service gratuity $872.85, four instalments stated $218.21; 1469 qualifying days including 880 overseas, final daily pay/allowance $8.70. No dependant allowance or overpayment deduction; 903 Girouard Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
1945-04-07 — Original baptism certificate, will, commercial diploma and reference letters returned; 903 Girouard Avenue, Montreal, Quebec.
1945-06-04 to 1945-07-05 — Overseas letter redirected through Ottawa and forwarded to veteran; London letter’s October 1944 repatriation date is administrative and does not replace September travel; Montreal, Quebec; London, England, United Kingdom.
1945-10-10 to 1945-12-20 — Medical sheets contain entries apparently dated 10 October and 20 December 1945, including category and non-medical discharge wording. Dates remain uncertain and do not establish renewed active service; RCAF medical records, location unstated.
2003-11-19 to 2003-12-17 — Veterans client claim/application tracking requested service documents; Ottawa district, English language, postal code K1K 3Y3; Ottawa, Ontario.
2006-05-12 — Died at Ottawa, as recorded in existing CWVMP profile; Ottawa, Ontario.