Norman Ernest Lunney was born in Footscray in 1899. He enlisted on 2 March 1917 at the age of 18. His mother, Isabella Lunney, of 49 East Melbourne, gave her permission for his enlistment underage, his father being deceased. Norman was living with his mother. He gave his occupation as clerk; he was single and had had 3 years in the senior cadets and was still serving. He was 5ft 6ins, with a fair complexion, hazel eyes and light brown hair. He was appointed gunner to the 28th Reinforcements, Field Artillery Brigade and was sent to Maribyrnong for training.
He embarked at Melbourne on the Port Sydney on 9 November 1917. He arrived at Southampton on 4 January 1918 via Suez, Alexandria and Taranto. He was sent to Heytesbury for further training. While there he absented himself from a fatigue and was awarded two days’ confinement to barracks. He proceeded to France on 8 April 1918 and marched into the Australian General Base Depot. He was taken on strength of Divisional Ammunition Column on 17 April. Two days later he was transferred to the 111th Battery, 11th Field Artillery Brigade. He was taken sick and taken to 11th Field Ambulance and from there admitted with scabies to 6th General Hospital at Rouen on 11 October 1918. He was discharged from hospital in Le Havre on 15 February 1919. He arrived back in England on 21 April 1919 and marched into Sutton Veny. He left England for return to Australia on 1 July 1919 and was discharged on his arrival back in Melbourne.
In 1922 he applied for a grant for a War Service Home. At the time he was living at 45 Mont Clair Avenue, Brighton.