Auxiliary Fireman Norman Richard Charles Mountjoy was born on 5 March 1911 in Brockley, London, the son of George Mountjoy (1885-1948) and Lily Mountjoy née Deex (1895-1954). The 1911 census shows him living at 231 Brockley Road, Brockley with his parents and his father's occupation was recorded as a Shipping Clerk at a Tobacco Pipe Manufacturer.
The 1939 England and Wales Register shows him as a member of the Auxiliary Fire Service at the District Fire Station, Glebe Way, West Wickham, Kent and his occupation was listed as a Master Lapidary and Friendly Soc. Branch Secretary.
He married Olive Joan Beadle (b.1914) and the marriage was registered in the 2nd quarter of 1940 in the Bromley, Kent, registration district. His wife was the sister of Auxiliary Fireman Ernest Reginald Beadle and he and his brother in law both died when a German parachute mine landed on Auxiliary Fire Service Sub Station 24U, which was housed in Old Palace LCC School, St. Leonards Street, Poplar, on 20 April 1941. He was aged 30 years. Both he and his brother in law were buried at St John the Baptist Churchyard, Layhams Road, West Wickham, BR4 9HN.
Probate records show that his home address had been 11 Ash Grove, West Wickham, Kent and that his body was not recovered until 21 April 1941. When administration of his estate was granted to his widow on 1 September 1941 his effects totalled £736-19s-5d.
He is also commemorated on the Firefighters Memorial and in their Book of Remembrance. His name is also recorded in the Civilian War Dead Roll of Honour that is held near the entrance to St George's Chapel, at the west end of Westminster Abbey.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
