Flying Officer Lionel Edmond Charles Gagnon

Birth: December 10, 1918 in Vancouver, BC
Death: February 16, 1943 in St. Anne, Quebec
Service: WWII
Service Number: J4865

Biography:
Lionel Gagnon attended elementary school in Richmond where his parents lived on RR1, Eburne. By 1932, the family had moved to Vancouver, where Lionel attended King Edward High School, and Vancouver College, graduating in 1936.  He then became a bank clerk with the Royal Bank of Canada. Lionel also served with the active militia, the 68th Field Battery R.C.A., Vancouver, 1932-1939.

After registering with the Royal Canadian Air Force Special Reserve in September 1939, Lionel officially joined the air force on September 26, 1940. At the time of his enlistment, he was living on Bidwell Street, Vancouver, where his father was the apartment caretaker. Lionel was single, but later married Mavis Cecile Kern, at Hull, Quebec on November 18, 1942.

Immediately following enlistment, Lionel was posted to Brandon, Manitoba for training. He gained his flying badge in March 1941 and became Flying Officer, Pilot, at that time. He was posted to #1 Operational Training Unit, Bagotville, Quebec in November 1942.

Lionel Edmund Charles Gagnon was killed on February 16, 1943, when two Hurricane aircraft #5644 and 5444, flying in formation, collided in a mid-air collision between St. Anne and St. Honore, Quebec. Both pilots were killed. Flying Officer Pilot Lionel Gagnon was buried at Ocean View Burial Park, Burnaby, British Columbia.

History of the Road Name (Gagnon Place):

• More research needed.