Al Dunham was born in Zwiebruken Federal Republic of Germany. At that time, his parents were posted there with the Royal Canadian Air Force. He attended schools at many Canadian Armed Forces Bases until his father retired in Brandon, Manitoba where he graduated from Crocus Plains Secondary School. Al attended Assiniboine Community College where he received a diploma in industrial welding and heavy duty mechanics. He was a member of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake Alberta and also in Brandon prior to his joining the Canadian Armed Forces in 1980 as an Artilleryman (field). After 5 years with the guns, Al remustered to Electrical Mechanical Engineers for the rest of his career. He served with 3 Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Royal Canadian Battle School, 26 Field Regiment Royal Canadian Artillery, 17 Service Company, 38 Service Battalion and then with 38 Canadian Brigade Group Artillery Tactical Group, where he was Engineering Technical Quarter Master Sergeant; he was also appointed Headquarters and Service Battery Sergeant Major. Al deployed on many domestic operations in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. He retired from the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserves (Army) on 01 July 2016 as a Master Warrant Officer, after 37 years of service to the Crown. Al Dunham now works with the Department of National Defense in a civilian position at Base Supply Canadian Forces Base in Shilo, Manitoba.

Al is a member of the Army Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada Unit #10 Brandon. There, he was Veterans Services Officer, Unit Sergeant at Arms, 1st & 2nd Vice President, and Unit President for two terms. Al was elected to ANAVETS Provincial Command and held the Command Veterans Service Officer and 2nd Vice President Offices before being elected to Dominion Command as Vice President.  He has been a Member of the Dominion Colour Party for the past five Dominion Conventions.  Al was awarded the Unit Past President medal, Unit Appreciation medal and American Legion Friendship Medal in 2014.

Al is a charter member of the City of Brandon Veterans Memorial Committee and worked on the City of Brandon New Veterans Field of Honour Committee. He volunteered with the Westman Traditional Christmas Dinner for the past 19 years.

Al is married to Margaret Wedgewood and has one adult son and two grandchildren. Margaret and Al enjoy spending time at the cabin at Killarney Lake.