Gerard Nolan died whilst diving on HMS REPULSE to recover equipment following practice torpedo firings in the Sound of Jura.  According to the Aberdeen Press & Journal of 17 December 1981:  “A diver who died during a Polaris submarine exercise off the West Coast of Scotland was named yesterday as Chief Petty Officer Gerard Nolan. CPO Nolan (32), was single and his family live in Waterford. Eire. As the nuclear submarine HMS Repulse docked at Faslane on the Clyde the Royal Navy announced there would be a full inquiry. The Incident happened on Tuesday as the Repulse was carrying out surface torpedo tests in the Sound of Jura. CPO Nolan died shortly after diving from the deck of the ship into the sea. His body was recovered by colleagues.”

Gerard Nolan is buried in Douglas Bank Cemetery, Dumfermline.