Born in Theale, and one of two sons and three daughters of George (b.1861) and Ellen Lawrence (b. 1864), Norman moved to Wokingham at an early age, He started his working career at the age of sixteen as an assistant postman in the Crowthorne branch of the Post Office. Three years later he moved to Wokingham Post Office where he spent the remaining 41 years of his working life. Upon his retirement, as assistant inspector of postmen, Norman was presented with the Imperial Service Medal for “long, zealous and meritorious service”.
In 1911 he joined the local Territorial Association and was presented with a clock by the Mayor for being champion recruiter. While serving in France during the First World War he was wounded and later discharged in 1917. As lieut.-in-charge of the Postal Home Guard during the Second World War he was responsible for defence precautions in the local office.
Norman married Edith Frances Evans (1898-1975) in August 1918. An active lady, she pulled her weight on the home front in the Second World War by volunteering as a milk roundswoman. For over three years, in all weathers, she was out from six o’clock in the morning delivering milk for Messrs. E. C. Peggs Dairies. She also took dressmaking classes at the Wokingham Evening Institute and worked at a school for consumptive patients at Ascot to which she cycled.
A keen supporter of the Labour Party, Norman was chairman of the local branch before becoming Wokingham’s first Labour Mayor. He was also chairman of the Workers’ Educational Association for over twenty years.
In addition to his civic and political duties he was manager od St. Paul’s School; chairman of the Produce Association; chairman of the Embrook Tennis Club and trustee of Embrook playing fields.
An authority on poultry, he also served as secretary of the Wokingham and District Fur, Feather and Cage Bird Society for fifteen years. Edith frequently accompanied him on his visits to poultry shows in various parts of the country.
Norman died at his home, 193, Reading Road, on the 30th January 1972 at the age of 80, while watching football on television. His funeral service was held at St. Paul’s Parish Church before cremation at Easthampstead Crematorium. Lawrence Close was named in his memory.
Wokingham Town Museum Unique Identifier: WTH0153