Reginald Havill Norman

Reginald Havill Norman

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Reginald Havill Norman; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Service/branch	Australian Army
Rank	Brigadier
Battles/wars	World War I Battle of Pozières; Battle of Passchendaele; ; World War II;
Awards	Distinguished Service Order (DSO); Military Cross (MC); Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD); Croix de guerre (Belgium) (C de G)
Spouse(s)	Narelle Bessie Brunker Sherbon (m. 1920)
Children	1 daughter

Brigadier Reginald Havill Norman, DSO, MC, VD, C de G (10 October 1893 – 28 August 1973) was a decorated senior officer in the Australian Army and a ship-owner. With "an alert and energetic personality and a brisk demeanour," he was "widely known and respected in shipping, military and social circles both in Victoria and other states of the Commonwealth."^[1]

Early life

Reginald Havill Norman was born in Kent Town, a suburb of Adelaide, on 10 October 1893, the only child of Frederick John Havill Norman (1862–1926) by his marriage in 1892 to Elizabeth Maria Richardson (1862–1947).^[1]

Norman served for 18 months as the adjutant of the 78th Infantry Battalion of the

Adelaide Rifles. He subsequently moved to Sydney to begin serving with the 18 Infantry Battalion.^[2]

First World War

17 days after the

Cockatoo Island aboard HMAT Berrima the following day. Fighting began on 11 September in German New Guinea, with German forces surrendering the following day. Norman was appointed as the garrison adjutant on 2 October. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 1 January 1915 and was appointed as a staff officer on 14 January. On 4 March, he was discharged from the AN&MEF.^[2]

Norman was given the rank of second lieutenant in the

mentioned in despatches. In September, he was again recommended for the MC.^[2]

In November 1916, Norman resume serving in the

mentioned in despatches), the 12th Brigade returned to France to curb the German spring offensive.^[2]

Norman kept a diary during this part of the war, covering his service from 1 October to 4 November 1916 while with the

6th Australian Infantry Brigade and from 24 July 1917 to 19 September 1917. These entries record the weather, equipment, movements, and reinforcements, with a few pencilled sketches. It ends with preparations for the Battle of Passchendaele, referred to him as the "big show".^[4]

Norman was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) during the Allied advance on 8 August

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under heavy artillery and machine gun fire; this officer went forward and got into touch with advanced troops, ascertaining their position and establishing liaison between units. He was untiring in his efforts to promote the success of the operation.^[5]

On 25 September, he was seconded to the United States Army, and returned to the 12th Brigade on 2 October, where he was again posted, this time to an officers course at the University of Cambridge which he left in January 1919. On 5 April, he was awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre for contributions to the Allied advance on 8 August 1918. He was discharged from the First Australian Imperial Force later that month.^[2]

Second World War

Norman continued to serve with the

Deputy Quartermaster-General in charge of Movements and Transportation.^[1] He ceased full time duties on 30 May 1945 with the rank of brigadier.^[2]

Later career

Following his return to civil life, Norman held various appointments at the Melbourne, Sydney and Perth branches of the Orient Steam Navigation Company until he was appointed branch manager of the company in Melbourne in 1938. He was elected as Chairman of the Overseas Shipping Representatives' Association in Melbourne, and was a Trustee of the Melbourne Sailors' Home and a member of the Council of St. Catherine's School.^[1]

During a session in Parliament in 1958, John Cramer paid tribute to Norman as a trustee of the Imperial Force Canteens Funds Trust.^[6]

Personal life

Norman married Narelle Bessie Brunker Sherbon, daughter of Maj. William James Sherbon

MBE and Mary Ann Elizabeth Brunker (daughter of James Brunker), on 20 October 1920 in St James' Church, Sydney.^[7] They had one daughter, Rosemary Havill Norman.^[1]

He was a member of the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Mr. Reginald Havill Norman" (PDF). The Navy. 10 (10): 48. October 1947. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Brigadier Reginald Havill Norman". Australian War Memorial. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
^ "No. 30111". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 1917. p. 5496.
^ "Norman, Reginald Havill". Australian War Memorial. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
^ "No. 31119". The London Gazette. 11 January 1919. p. 588.
^ AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE CANTEENS FUNDS TRUST at Parliament of Australia
^ Wedding Report: The Sydney Morning Heral (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 23 Oct 1920, Page 9

External links

[Reginald_Havill_Norman_Navy_League-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Mr. Reginald Havill Norman" (PDF). The Navy. 10 (10): 48. October 1947. Retrieved 15 July 2023.

[Australian_War_Memorial,_Canberra-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Brigadier Reginald Havill Norman". Australian War Memorial. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Retrieved 15 July 2023.

[3] "No. 30111". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 June 1917. p. 5496.

[4] "Norman, Reginald Havill". Australian War Memorial. Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Retrieved 15 July 2023.

[5] "No. 31119". The London Gazette. 11 January 1919. p. 588.

[6] AUSTRALIAN IMPERIAL FORCE CANTEENS FUNDS TRUST at Parliament of Australia

[7] Wedding Report: The Sydney Morning Heral (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 23 Oct 1920, Page 9

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