Born 29/09/1920 in London, ON. The son of Charles and Nellie (nee Pettit) Norman of 321 Camp St., Wallaceburg, ON.  The husband of Dorothy (nee Lucier) of Windsor, ON.  Prior to the war Ernie was working at the Dominion Glass Co. in Wallaceburg.

Ernest enlisted in London, ON. with the RCAF in January of 1940. He trained at Jarvis, Penfield Ridge, Saint John, NB. And Halifax, NS. before going overseas in November of 1942 arriving in Bournmouth, England. In England he was assigned to 21 Sqd. RAF.

Before he went overseas, Sgt. Norman had a wedding in Windsor, ON. WN 12/11/42(P). He married Miss Dorothy (nee Lucier), her mother nee Hazel Hardick) and father lived in Wallaceburg before moving to Windsor, ON. Ernest was scheduled to return to Halifax after a short honeymoon.    

While flying in Ventura aircraft # AE 726 on Air Ops., against a oil tanker in the harbour at Brest, France. Twelve Venturas with a screen of Spitfire from 10 Group RAF were attacked by a swarm of German FW-190 while they were on final approach to the target, downing one Ventura, it’s tail shot off. The others pressed on with there attack dropping bombs and a large explosion was seen. As the Venturas headed home one aircraft was ablaze and came down in the sea. Although evasive action was taken the Venturas could not escape the faster fighters. Forty miles off the Lizard another crashed into the sea and a fourth this crew survived. Eight of the twelve Ventura aircraft returned.

Sgt. Norman’s aircraft was the fist to be shot down killing all of the crew.

KIA – Date of Death: KIA – 05/04/1943

Flt. Sergeant (WAG.), Service No: R/78909, Royal Canadian Air Force, Unit Text: 21 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Sources	Index of Overseas Deaths ( indicates FS Norman as being from Chatham, ON.), They Shall Grow Not Old, VIS-IODE.
Supplemental Information	Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead, Grave/Memorial Reference: Row 14. Coll. grave 175. Cemetery: PLOUDALMEZEAU COMMUNAL CEMETERY, Finistere, France.

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