Attended Nelson College from 1936-1939. On the 1st November 1943, whilst providing cover for an American Landing, in Bougainville Island, fighter flak caused engine failure, causing Pilot Lumsden, and his crew to Bellyflop (ditching) into the ocean. They spent four hours in the dinghy before being picked up by an American Landing Craft (Goldfish Club).

Of his rescue Lumsden wrote; " My rescue was dramatic and all but ended in disaster. After attracting attention of a far-off vessel with my survival heliograph I waited for sometime, for friendly hands to pull me abroad - This was not to be! My hopes were suddently shattered when my rubber boat and I were completely en-circled by close range machine gun fire! What the B- Hell!! My Instant reaction was to remove my flying helmet to disclose my caucasian features and red hair with arms thrust skywards to the accompaniment of the best of Kiwi oaths. The shooting stopped as quickly as it had started. (The Yanks wre apologetic afterwards and stressed I was more than lucky to be alive). Neither my rubber boat, nor myself was hit but my 'distress flag' has holes in it. The 'flag' (Red with a white Roundel) was the cause of the trouble. I had erronously been issued with a European Survival Kit, which obviously was not a wise move in battle with happy trigger Americans about. (References to the rescue are contained in New Zealanders at War - Kenneth Hancock and RNZAF A Short History - Geoffrey Bentley)." (Goldfish Club - MS-2004-32). AWMM