FRY, Norman Frederick
| Service Number: | S/4178 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 17 June 1940 |
| Last Rank: | Able Seaman |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, 29 July 1920 |
| Home Town: | Hamilton, Newcastle, New South Wales |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | Died of Illness, Durban South Africa, 10 March 1943, aged 22 years |
| Cemetery: |
Durban (Stellawood) Cemetery, South Africa |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour, Kupunn HB3 |
World War 2 Service
| 3 Sep 1939: | Involvement S/4178 | |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun 1940: | Enlisted Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, S/4178 | |
| Date unknown: | Discharged Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman, S/4178 |
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Add my storyBiography contributed by Anthony Vine
STOKER NORMAN FREDERICK FRY RANR S/4178
Norman Fry was born in Hamilton NSW in July 1920, one of seven children of Horace and Martha Fry. He had a twin brother Raymond and a younger brother Robert who was born in 1923. Norman enlisted in the RANR as a Stoker 2nd class in June 1940 and after training at HMAS Cerberus embarked for the UK to join the newly commissioned N Class Destroyer HMAS Napier.
Norman’s older brother Charles had trained as a Air Cadet with the RAAF pre-war before joining the RAF on a short service commission. Charles was awarded the DFC; however, he was shot down during the Battle of Crete, taken POW and incarcerated in Stalag Luft III camp in Germany. In 1942, whilst a POW he would transfer to the RAAF. Norman’s twin Ray, and his eldest brother Albert served in the Australian Army Militia and younger brother Robert in the 2/31st Battalion of the 2/AIF.
Whilst in Napier, Norman saw service in the Mediterranean including the Battle for Crete and on supply runs to Tobruk. With the entry of Japan into the war, Napier moved to the Indian Ocean where the ship was primarily used a convoy escort. Norman was advanced to Stoker in June 1941.
In mid-February 1943 Norman was landed to the Addington Military Hospital in Durban, Natal South Africa suffering from Pneumonia. His mother was informed he was dangerous ill in early March, and he passed away on the 10th of March 1943.
Stoker Norman Fry is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves section of the Stellawood Cemetery in Durban, Natal, South Africa.
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