Norman DCM, Rfn E J

The following is the text from Army Form W.3121 describing the date, place and action for which 7018331 Rifleman Eric John Norman was recommended for an award by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion The London Irish Rifles, Lieutenant Colonel I H Good DSO, in June 1944 and forwarded through the chain of command until approved and signed by the Commander-in-Chief, Allied Central Mediterranean Force, General Sir Harold Alexander. Rifleman Norman was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) and his award was promulgated in the Supplement to The London Gazette dated 20 July 1944.

Rifleman Norman was Signal operator with D Coy who
occupied positions north of LORENZO during 18th - 26th
Jan '44. On 24th Jan '44 the Company was subjected to
very heavy mortar and artillery fire followed by a
strong enemy attack.

During the early part of the enemy bombardment the
Coy Comd, CSM and one signaller were wounded and
another man of Coy HQ killed in close proximity to
Rfn Norman. He himself was severely wounded in the
arm and leg and his wireless set put out of action
by shell splinters.

At once he realised the vital need of maintaining
the only means of communication with Bn HQ and
crawled from one slit trench to another to get
another set. He found this set also out of action
from shell fire but crawled back with it, still
under heavy fire and calmly stripped both sets until
he had made the necessary repairs to get one set in
working order again and re-establish communication.
During the greater part of this time he was working
alone, his arm severely damaged and giving him
great pain, the other members of the Coy HQ dead or
wounded around him but he refused to allow his own
wounds to be attended until he had re-established
communication.

By his coolness, magnificent courage, and complete
disregard of personal safety he regained touch with
Bn HQ and then calmly passed information of the
situation thereby enabling the Bn HQ to take the
necessary measures to deal with it.

Finally, he was relieved at Coy HQ but on return to
Bn HQ seeing there was a shortage of signallers
he insisted on remaining at duty there and was
again wounded when Bn HQ came under heavy shell and
mortar fire.

I consider his devotion to duty and gallantry
under fire of the very highest order and most
strongly recommend him for the immediate award of
the Distinguished Conduct Medal.