Private Frederick Norman, 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, died of wounds as a prisoner of war in Germany on 12th June 1917. Soldiers Died in the Great War lists him as being born in Knowle, and indicates that he was living in Knowle. However, it seems that he was actually born in Cold Newton, Leicestershire, in 1891. His name is recorded on war memorials at Knowle, Baddesley Clinton, Balsall Common, Chadwick End and Temple Balsall.
The Army Register of Soldiers’ Effects lists his next-of-kin as his mother Mary E. This appears to be a mistake as it seems that his mother was Sarah Elizabeth Norman (née Smith) who was usually known by her middle name of Elizabeth. Her husband, George Norman, died in the Solihull area shortly before the 1911 census was taken. Sarah Elizabeth was then living in Chadwick End, Knowle with her sons 22-year-old George, 19-year-old Fred, and 14-year-old Ernest, as well as her 7-year-old grandaughter, Violet. Sarah Elizabeth seems to have died in the Solihull area in 1924.
The family had moved from Leicestershire to Dordon, Warwickshire between 1899-1901.
Frederick’s service record doesn’t appear to have survived, but his medal index card suggests that he didn’t see overseas service before 1916. Unpublished research by the late Alan Tucker indicates that Frederick Norman was buried by his comrades at Dülmen prisoner of war camp, near Munster, Germany. In 1922, it was decided that the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died in Germany should be brought together in four cemeteries. Therefore, the final resting place of Private Frederick Norman is Cologne Southern Cemetery in Nordrhein-Westfalen.
If you have any further information, please let us know.
Tracey
Heritage & Local Studies Librarian
tel.: 0121 704 6977
email: heritage@solihull.gov.uk
Solihull Life 
Leave a Reply