Norman was born on 11 December 1916 in Leeds, Yorkshire to Morris and Russian born Sophia née Rifkin and had a younger sister Hilda. Norman’s father Morris pre-deceased him, dying in 1932.

In 1939, Norman was living with his mother and sister Hilda Rose at 11 Hamilton View, Leeds. Norman was working as a hire purchase accounts clerk and his mother was a tailoress.

Norman was the wireless operator/air gunner on Whitley Z9311 which departed RAF Dishforth on a night operation to Emden. The aircraft was shot down by night fighter pilot Oberleutnant Helmut Lent of the Stab II./NJG 2. All five crew were killed and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.

W/Op A/G, James Joseph Clarke, 624831.

Obs, Bernard Leslie hart, 746920.

Pilot, Donald Arthur Richards, 1055928.

Pilot, Bernard Sides, 100581.