The Airmen's Stories - F/O H S Lusk

Harold Stewart Lusk was born in Auckland, New Zealand on 7th August 1918 and educated at Kings School and Kings College.

In 1937 he went to the UK to study at Merton College, Oxford. He joined the University Air Squadron in 1938 and was commissioned in the RAFVR in January 1939.

Called up on 9th September 1939, Lusk was posted to FTS Cranwell, where he trained on Oxfords. He was selected as a bomber pilot and converted to Blenheims at 5 OTU Aston Down from 23rd June 1940 but an attack of jaundice resulted in a new posting and he joined 25 Squadron instead.

Lusk served with the squadron until August 1941, when he was posted to RAF Valley as Senior Flying Control Officer. After an airfield control course at Prestwick he returned to Valley as Airfield Controller.

In February 1943 Lusk joined 285 Squadron at Woodvale, an anti-aircraft co-operation unit. He took command of 291 Squadron at Hutton Cranswick, on similar duties, in December 1943.

On 1st January 1944 Lusk transferred to the RNZAF and at the end of the year he left 291 Squadron to resume his studies at Oxford, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader. After qualifying in late 1945, Lusk returned to the RNZAF and was repatriated to New Zealand, disembarking on 10th January 1946.

He went on to the Reserve soon afterwards and joined a law firm in Auckland.

Lusk was appointed QC on 23rd October 1973.

He died on 11th April 2009.