Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Born in Yorkshire, England on the 18th January 1915, Horace Norman was named after his father Horace Snr. He was the first son and second child, with three sisters, Constance, Winifred and Betty. The children attended the St. Peter’s Church School where Betty particularly excelled as a scholar. The family were also volunteers in a Paddy’s market aimed at raising funds for the Guides, SA.
Horace Jnr worked as a clerk at the Family Hotel, Glenelg in the 1930’s before then becoming a travelling salesman for Lever Brothers Limited and then as a truck salesman for Freeman Motors in Grenfell Street. In earlier years, Horace had been part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, then, with the outbreak of WWII, 25-year-old Horace became one of the early enlistees on the 22nd June ’40 and was given the number SX6422. He was allocated to the 2/48th Battalion and by October was appointed as Acting Corporal. Both his sisters, Constance and Betty also later joined the Australian Army Medical Women’s Services as the war progressed.
Following pre-embarkation leave, Horace boarded the Stratheden on the 17th November, arriving in the Middle East on the 7th December and was rapidly promoted to Corporal. The desert conditions, heat and flies contributed to him developing a lung infection. On his release from hospital to the battalion, Horace was promoted to Acting Sergeant.
In the primitive conditions and being under constant bombardment, life was challenging for the soldiers. A leaflet drop by the Germans urged the men to surrender from their conditions living like rats in their hand-hewn, dusty holes. Designed to demoralise the men, it had the opposite effect with the troops proudly adopting the term Rats of Tobruk as a title of honour, and one which would come to be highly regarded and respected by future generations.
As ’41 was ending, recognition of Horace’s health acknowledged that he was ‘fit for duties other than active service’ and he began AAOC School. Whilst still serving overseas, his father, Horace Snr died in May ’42 and was buried in the North Brighton Cemetery. Horace was not able to return to Australia until September that year.
Back home in South Australia, Horace was promoted to the rank of Sergeant at the end of ’43. However, he was medically decreed to not undertake marching because of the condition of his feet (flat feet). His background in accounting was perfect for him to move into duties associated with War Loans in ‘44. The following year was challenging as Horace experienced a fractured, displaced nose. This also coincided with him being granted a divorce in May from Grace.
Fortune and happiness later favoured him in meeting and marrying Lyla Benetta from Lyndock on the 24th August the following year. A promotion to Lieutenant followed in October. Unfortunately, the condition Horace’s nose, caused him to eventually spend time at Kalpara Convalescent Home for several weeks. He then concluded his war service working in the Records Staffing area, finally being discharged on the 8thJanuary ’47.
Aged 70, Hoarce died on the 10th February 1985 and was buried in the Enfield Memorial Park Cemetery. His service is also remembered at Centennial Park in the Garden of Remembrance.
Researched and written by Kaye Lee, daughter of Bryan Holmes SX8133, 2/48th Battalion.