Description
1911 Coronation Medal, London Fire Brigade, Fireman later Fire Master Henry Edward Norman, London County Fire Brigade. Militiaman and Fireman died playing Football in 1932.
Officially engraved: “Fireman H.E. Norman.”
1911 Census records him as a Fireman for London County Council, living at the Fire Station on Simpson Street, Battersea SW, London.
The station has since been closed but it used to look this this back in its heyday:
On 3rd February 1932, he died at the No 2 Stores Depot, Royal Air Force Depot Camp, Dunham massey, Altrincham.
“Syncope due to overstrain whilst playing football”, aged 49 working as a Fire Master.
The death was reported on in the Liverpool Echo on 5th February 1932:
“TOO OLD FOR FOOTBALL AT 49?
Doctor and Man’s Death during Game
From our own correspondent, Altrincham, Friday.
‘Death from Natural Causes’ was the verdict returned at an Altrincham inquest, today, on Henry Edward Norman (49) a Fire Master, employed at the Royal Air Force Depot in Altrincham.
After taking part for about 15 minutes in a football match on Wednesday Norman collapsed and died.
Dr H.G. Cooper, attributing death to heart failure due to overstrain, said he did not think it was wise for a man 49 years of age to play football.”
The medal came with the following detailed write up on his life:
Henry Edward NORMAN 1883-1932
Henry was born at Ringsfield by Ilketshall, Saint Andrews, Suffolk, in 1883. He was a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Norman. Henry was baptised at Ilketshall Saint Andrew’s Church on 11th November 1883.
In 1891 his family lived at (29) Cottage, The Common, Ilketshall Saint Andrew, and Henry’s father and oldest brother, John, were fishermen. Henry had another brother and four sisters.
By 1901 the family had moved to (65) Newgate Street, Saint Michael’s, Beccles, and Henry was an engineer’s labourer.
Henry enlisted in the P.W.O. Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia) at Beccles on 5th January 1905. He was living in the Saint Michael’s part of Beccles and working, as a boiler maker, for Elliott Garwood and Co., at Beccles. Henry was five feet seven and ¾ inches tall, had sallow complexion, grey eyes, brown hair, and belonged to the Church of England. Henry completed his 49 days training on 28th February 1905 and he purchased his discharge on 1st April 1905. (Note: Elliott and Garwood had premises at Ingate, Beccles).
By 1907 Henry had moved to London and had become a fireman with the London County Council Fire Brigade.
Henry married Eliza Larke at Saint Stephen the Martyr Church, Hampstead, on 31st August 1907. Eliza was born at Bungay in 1883 and was a daughter of William and Alice Larke. In 1891 Eliza’s family lived at (70) Nethergate Street, Bungay. When they married both Henry and Eliza stated that they lived at Barrowhill Road, Hampstead: Henry at number 44 and Eliza at 49. Henry’ sister Ellen was one of the witnesses. Barrowhill Road was quite close to Adelaide Road which was the location of the Saint John’s Wood Fire Station and it is probable that this is where Henry worked.
Their first child, Hilda Elizabeth, was born at Beccles on 23rd December 1907. She attended Gipsy Road Junior-Middle School, West Norwood, and moved up to the Gipsy Road Senior School on 7th November 1917 and attended there until the family moved to Staffordshire.
Their second child, Constance Eliza, was born at Beccles on 24th October 1909. She attended Gipsy Road Junior Middle and moved up to Gipsy Road Senior School on 7th November 1917 and attended there until the family moved to Staffordshire.
December 1909 serious fire at premises of Messrs. Arding and Hobbs, Battersea – nine dead
In 1911 the family lived at the Fire Station, Simpson Street, Battersea.
A third child, Victor Frederick, was born at Battersea on 8th October 1912. He was baptised at Christ Church, Battersea, 20th October 1912, and in the register Henry is described as a Fireman L.C.C. Fire Station, Simpson Street.
March 1914 Extensive fire at the works of Messrs. Bloomfield and Co., Battersea – nearly 100 firemen engaged for an hour.
By 1917 Henry had changed post and was based at the New Fire Station, Norwood Road, Norwood. At this time he was a carman.
Victor attended Gipsy Road Infant School, Lambeth, from 23rd April 1917 until 20th December 1918 when the family moved to Staffordshire. The family’s address was Fire Station, Norwood Road.
In December 1920 the family moved to Staffordshire.
Between 1928 and 1931 the family’s address was the R.A.F. Stores Depot, Sinderland Road, Dunham Massey. Henry was the Fire Master at the Stores Depot.
On 3rd February 1932 Henry was involved in a football match. He suffered syncope and died at No 2 Stores Depot. The coroner examined his body and an inquest was held on 5th February 1932. Henry was buried at Beccles Cemetery.
By 1939, Eliza and her daughters were living at 12 Hall Avenue, Timperley, Altrincham, and this would be their home until at least 1978. Hilda was a secretary to professional mechanical engineer and Constance was a solicitor’s clerk.
Eliza died on 19th May 1958 at Wythenshawe Hospital Manchester. Hilda did not marry and she died on 24th February 1978. It is thought that Constance did not marry and after the death of her sister lived at 6 Tulip Drive, Altrincham. Constance died, in the Manchester area, in 2009.
In 1939 Victor, and his wife, were living at 11 Byron Road, Luton, and he was a fitter machine tool (motor). Victor later moved to Wales and died in 1999.
