Norm
was born in Preston, Lancashire on 28th November 1924. He joined the Army in
June 1943 and served with 53 Airlanding Light Regiment, Royal Artillery,
which provided the artillery support in 6th Airborne Division, manning 75mm
mountain guns, carried into action by Horsa gliders.
Norm was a gun layer
in 'F' Troop, 212 Battery and qualified as a parachutist as well as
travelling in
gliders.
In the invasion of
Normandy, due to the shortage of gliders, Norm's unit came in by sea, but he
flew into action for the Rhine crossing in March 1945.
Due to the heavy
preliminary bombardment, the whole area was obscured by dust and smoke,
making it impossible for the Glider Pilots to identify their landing-zones
and indeed, to land safely anywhere. Also the enemy had been thoroughly
alerted and massed his light flak guns. Many gliders practically flew down
their muzzles, so losses and casualties were very heavy. Of 440 gliders used,
only 88 remained undamaged.
In Norm's case his
glider crash-landed three miles from the intended place and in enemy
territory. Fortunately there were American parachutists, (also dropped
incorrectly), who at once engaged the enemy. The Division subsequently drove
right through Germany and Norm was present at the link up with the Russians
at Wismar.
He also served in the
very difficult assignment in Palestine for two years till his discharge in 1947.
