Military History

Norman is listed as being killed in action on 20th July 1918 and the 2nd/4th Battalion war diary entries for the period 19th to 21st July are transcribed below.

Authis – July 19^th 1918 – 5.30am: Battalion marched to Germaine. Commanding Officer and Company Commanders on reconnaissance.

11pm: Battalion left for assembly position preparatory to attack near Cortagnon Farm.

Cortagnon Farm – July 20^th 1918 – 8am: The Division commenced the attack. 186^th Brigade having as its objectives S of Treslon advanced in support to 185^th Brigade – 3 Battalions in line, this battalion being centre Battalion.

Immediately on leaving Cortagnon the Battalion came under heavy artillery fire and have to deploy, Major Molyneux being wounded at this stage and several occurred?. Enemy artillery ? but the Battalion advanced strongly and cooly.

On Pourcy being reached it was found that the 185^th Brigade had made little progress towards Marfaux and the Battalion came under intense M.G. fire. The attack was continued, B & D Coys leading with A Coy in support but in spite of the bravery of all troops it was impossible to reach Marfaux as the enemy held the village and all the high ground overlooking the gully with impregnable M.G.

Small bodies managed to reach outskirts of Marfaux but this position was untenable and the Battalion dug in about 500 yards E of the Village. The consolidation was carried out successfully although the Battalion was subjected to heavy artillery & M.G. fire the whole day. At nightfall the Companies were very ?, A & D Coys holding front line of posts with B in close support. Battalion HQ at Pourcy.

Casualties being: Killed 2/Lt N.E. Smith & [left blank] OR. Wounded 6 officers and one officer sick.

Pourcy – 21^st July 1918: Situation was unchanged. Battalion remained holding its position, being heavily shelled most of the day. C Coy arrived at Battalion HQ from Mailly & joined the Battalion at 9pm.