Millennium Project
Rob Forsyth
Private Norman West was a National Serviceman in the Army from 1952-54 during the Korean War serving in a Sound Locating Company with the 61st Light Battery, Royal Artillery.
This photograph was taken at The Hook, near Panmunjon.
Other photographs taken in Korea can be seen in his album in The Gallery
click on all images to enlarge them
He joined the Royal British Legion in 1956. He was Treasurer to the Branch & Club from 1975-2001, Branch until 2018 and also the Poppy Appeal Organiser for most of this time. His efforts raised thousands of pounds for the charity every year. He was the Branch Standard Bearer (see him leading the parade) and he was President from 2001 – 2008.
His long years of outstanding service to the Royal British Legion were recognised in 2018 by the award of a Gold Badge and receipt of a Centenary Award (l) from the County following his nomination for a National Award.
He died on 27 November. A funeral and interment were held at St Mary's Church, North Aston, on 17 December. The Branch Standard led the procession to the church and was dipped at the graveside during the Last Post.
The funeral was celebrated by Richard Bailey (Licensed Lay Minister) who gave an introduction at the start of the service. Granddaughter Becky Brown delivered a eulogy and a tribute from his friend, Kildare Bourke-Borrows, was read on his behalf.
To which I would like to add my own as Chairman of Deddington RBL Branch: Norman's contributions to his own community and that of the Royal British Legion were immense. It is fair to say that the success of the Branch and Club owed everything to him. He was unstinting with his time, meticulous with his organisation and extremely modest over the results. In the many years that he ran it, Deddington must have raised over £150,000 for the Poppy Appeal. At the time of the sad necessity to close the Club for lack of income or capital to repair/maintain the building, he was a great support to me as one of the trustees of the building as we navigated our way through the legal challenges of negotiating with the Chairity Commissioners, the Parish Council, lawyers on both sides and, lastly, with the buyer of the building. His quiet confidence and committment were of inestimable value.
We will remember him.