The Soldier's Details
- Surname:
-
Norton
- First Name:
-
Harris Herbert Thomas
- Rank:
-
Private
- Regimental #:
-
WX16293
- Company:
-
‘E’ Company, Special Reserve Battalion, No. 2 Platoon
- Enlisted:
-
1.09.1941
- DOB:
-
15.04.1925
- Place of Birth:
-
Boulder, Western Australia
- Father's Name:
-
Harris 'Charles' Norton
- Mothers's Name:
-
Amy Norton (nee Catchpole)
- Religion:
-
Church of England
- Pre-war Occupation:
-
Farmhand
- Memorial:
-
Epitaph, Singapore Memorial, Column 136, Age 17.
- Cause of Death:
-
Killed in Action
- Place of Death:
-
Bald Hill, Bukit Timah
- Date of Death:
-
11.02.1942
General Description
The exact date of birth of Norton is not known, however it is believed that he enlisted under age and may have been as young as 16 at the time of his death.
He was a reinforcement who joined 2/4th on Aquitania, at Fremantle on 15 Jan 1942. He became part of Platoon 2 of ‘E’ Cmpany under CO Jimmy Till.
Several men from Platoon 2 could not escape Bald Hill – and many more had run out of ammunition. Norton was KIA.
Harris was one of two children born to parents Harris ‘Charles’ Norton and Amy Eileen Catchpole who married 1921. Charles Norton worked for the Postal Department.
Amy Norton died unexpectedly in 1934 aged 32 years. She had spent her formative years at Ora Banda with her family.
She was the daughter of Eliza Ellen Catchpole (nee Mayman) who died 1950. Eliza Catchpole was grandmother to Harris Norton.
Harris Charles Norton, father of Harris (Jnr) died in 1948.
Below: The marriage of Charles Harris and Amy Catchpole 1921.
Above: Grandmother of Harris Norton: Eliza Ellen Catchpole.
