Norman was born on 16 November 1919 in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland to Polish born Samuel and Rose nee Bloom and had a younger brother Jeffrey. Rose was born in Newcastle to Polish parents. By 1939 the family had moved to Liverpool where Samuel was a wholesale watch and clock merchant and Norman worked as the manager of the family shop.

Norman enlisted in 1940 and served in 162 Squadron.

He was based at RAF Luqa in Malta and was the pilot of Mosquito KB468 which departed on an Air Despatch Letter Service to RAF Blackbushe. The aircraft swung on take-off and the undercarriage collapsed causing a fire which killed Norman and severely burned the navigator F/Lt Crauford.