George Norman was born on 15 January 1888 in Stonehouse, Devon, the third of the five children of George Norman and Mary Jane Norman née Baker.
In the 1891 census he is shown as a scholar, aged 3 years, living in two rooms at 14 St Pauls Street, East Stonehouse, Devon, with his parents and two siblings: Charlotte Amy Norman (b.1883) and Frederick Charles Norman (b.1885). His father was described as a Private in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.
He is shown in 1901 census as living in four rooms at 4 Newport Cottage, East Stonehouse, with his parents and his four siblings: Frederick Charles Norman who was a carpenter's apprentice; Charlotte Amy Norman; William Thomas Norman (b.1891) and Ernest John Norman (b.1893). His father was shown as Tailor in the Royal Marine Light Infantry.
He married Catherine Winnifred Morrison (1886-1963) in the 2nd quarter of 1910 in the Plymouth registration district, Devon and in the 1911 census he is shown as a cooper in the Royal William Government Victualling Yard living with his wife in 3 rooms at 22 Wilton Street, Stoke Devonport, Devon. Their daughter, Betty Aileen Norman (1925-1998), was born on 1 February 1925 and her birth was registered in the East Stonehouse registration district.
In the 1939 England and Wales Register he is described as a cooper in a naval establishment and living at 97 Tressillian Road, Brockley, London, SE4, with his wife and their daughter who was listed as a student.
He was killed, aged 56 years, as result of enemy action when a German V1 Flying Bomb fell on the Royal Victoria Yard on 16 August 1944 killing seven and injuring 74 people. His body was buried on 21 August 1944 in Lewisham.
Probate records confirm that his address had been 97 Tressillian Road, Brockley, London, SE4 and that probate was granted to his widow on 13 October 1944. His effects totalled £429-10s-6d.
He is shown as Norman G on the Royal Victoria Yard war memorial that is located at The Colonnade, Grove Street, London, SE8 and as Norman, George on the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour 1939-1945 that is kept just outside the entrance to St George's Chapel at the west end of Westminster Abbey. The Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour incorrectly shows his date of death as 16 July 1944. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website and on the Lewisham War Memorials website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
