Lionel Gaunce, DFC (20 September 1915 – 19 November 1941) was a Canadian flying ace who served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) during the Second World War.

At the time of the outbreak of the Second World War, he was recovering from injuries caused by his involvement in a road crash.

He was killed when his Supermarine Spitfire fighter crashed into the sea off the French coast after being hit by anti-aircraft fire.

9 Elementary and Reserve Flying Training School at Ansty before receiving his commission as an acting pilot officer at Uxbridge.

615 Squadron which, at the time, was based in France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force.

His new unit, which was equipped with Gladiators, saw little action other than patrols until the commencement of the German invasion of France and the Low Countries on 10 May.

On its return, Gaunce and five other pilots were briefly detached from the squadron to form a flight of Gladiators and sent to Manston.

615 Squadron quickly became drawn into the aerial fighting over the English Channel and southern England and on 20 July, Gaunce destroyed a Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter near Cap Gris-Nez.

[7] On 12 August, while on a sortie to the east of Beachy Head, he shot down one Bf 109 and claimed another as probably destroyed.

[6] This was gazetted on 23 August and the published citation read: This flight commander has displayed excellent coolness and leadership since the return of the squadron to England.

[3] This Hurricane-equipped unit was based at Stapleford Tawney but the Luftwaffe's offensive against England was declining in intensity by this time and it was only infrequently in action.

[9] On 11 November, the squadron was scrambled to intercept a raid mounted by the Corpo Aereo Italiano (Italian Air Corps).

[10] On 20 August he damaged a Bf 109 near Le Havre, and the following day shared in the probable destruction of another near Dunkirk.

Flying a sortie to France on 19 November, his Spitfire was hit by anti-aircraft fire as he passed near Ivigny.

[6] Gaunce was survived by his wife of four years, Queenie Paula Scott, and is commemorated on the Runneymeade Memorial at Englefield Green.