Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Aircraftwoman Boronia Theodora Christabel Norman (Service No:103312) enlisted in the RAAF on 28 September 1942 - mustered as a Frabric Worker - and attended 4 Initial Training School (ITS) Victor Harbour. In October 1942 ACI Norman attended No 1 Elementary Flying Training School (EFTS) Parafield and in May 1943, No 4 Service Training School (SFTS) Geraldton. Transferred to 7 Communications Unit on 10 April 1945, Aircraftwoman Norman was Discharged on 2 January 1946.

The youngest of three children, Bonnie was born in 1923 in Perth WA, to Leslie (Les) Athol Hornbrook Norman (b1884 in Hamilton, New Zealand) and Theodora Ivy Constance Mary Sadler (b1888 in Guildford, WA). Les had worked for WAGR as a Junior Porter since 1899, and was a Clerk in 1917 when he and Theodora married in Bridgetown WA. Les and Theodora settled in Perth WA where they raised their family and Les was a Clerk until 1927, when he deserted his family and travelled to the Eastern States. Les worked on the wharves where, according to Court records (Trove), he became addicted to cocaine he stole from ships he was unloading. Theodora remained in Perth, where she raised her children, and in 1937 Les was arrested in Yalgoo WA on a warrant from the Children's Court for 'failing to provide for his three children' (Trove).

Bonnie worked as a Farm Girl, Shop Assistant and Waitress after leaving school, and was a Dressmaker in 1942 when she enlisted in the RAAF. In 1948 in Perth, WA Bonnie married James (Jim) William Gibson (b1921 in Perth, WA) - Jim had also served in the RAAF. Bonnie and Jim settled in Perth, where they raised their family and Jim was Clerk, before moving to North Beach, where Bonnie died in 2003 and Jim in 2015.