Gordon Lunan
Lunan was born in Kirkaldy, Scotland on 31 December 1914 and immigrated to Canada in 1914.  He entered the armed forces in 1943 and had earned the rank of Acting Captain when he was seconded to the Wartime Information Board where he continued to work until his arrest in 1946. He was  also editor of the military journal, Canadian Affairs, and lived in Ottawa. Lunan played a central role in the conspiracy and was accused of running a 'reading group' consisting of Israel Halperin, Edward W. Mazerall, and Durnford Smith.  Unfortunately, for Lunan, he chose to cooperate with the commission and his testimony was used in court where he was found guilty of conspiracy to violate the Official Secrets Act.  His case was particularly significant because he and Mazerall were the first to be brought to trial (Willisher and Woiken plead guilty).  Lunan's presiding judge was James McRuer. McRuer's rulings established key precedents that were followed in many of the following trials, particularly on issue of diplomatic immunity and the right to remain silent before a government inquiry.  Lunan later wrote an autobiography on his experience.
 

 

  
           
     
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