Lungley was born in Colchester, Essex, on 20 October 1905. After joining the British Army he was assigned to the Royal Artillery, and served in British India with the 24th Mountain Brigade which was then stationed near Quetta (then India, now Pakistan). On 31 May 1935 a serious earthquake hit the region near Quetta. This ranks as one of the deadliest earthquakes ever to hit South Asia, and as the 23rd worst earthquake worldwide (by death toll) to date. The quake was centred 4.0 kilometres South West of Ali Jaan. Most of the reported casualties occurred in the city of Quetta. Initial communiqué drafts estimated a total of 20,000 people buried under the rubble, 10,000 survivors and 4,000 injured. The city was badly damaged and was immediately prepared to be sealed under military guard with m