Norton, Gerard Ross

Date of birth:: September 7th, 1915 (Herschel, Kape Province, South-Africa)
Date of death:: October 29th, 2004 (Harare, Zimbabwe)
Service number:: 9111V
Nationality:: South African (1910-1961, Union)

Biography

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Military Medal (MM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant
Unit:: South African Forces
Awarded on:: November 24th, 1942

Recommendation:
“At the fall of TOBRUK, Sgt. NORTON escaped from the perimeter with 22 of his company under Lt. L.H. (Lawrence Herbert) BAILLIE, No.8872, Kaff. Rifles, U.D.F., who has been recommended for a M.C.
They were fired on from various positions and were forced back into the perimeter and joined the Camerons (The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders) at 1300 hrs on 21.6.42, with whom they fought until 0200 hrs on 22.6.42.
When the Camerons ceased fire, Lt. BAILLIE and Sgt. NORTON broke out together as Lt. BAILLIE had split his party into two’s to have a better chance of getting through.
On the first day out, Lt. BAILLIE was joined by two Camerons, Cpl. S.W. MONAGAN, No. 2928457 (still missing) and Pte (Frank) JARVIS, No. 2928456 (who has been recommended for a M.M.). On the next day, two others joined the party, Pte H.C. (Hendrik Christiaan) van der MERWE, No. 214368, 7th S.A. Recce. Bn (who has been recommended
for a M.M.) and Dvr. R.J. (Robert Johnstone) HOSSACK, No. 812659. R.A. (who has received a M.M.)
Their route was SIDI REZEGH – to the coast – south via SIDI AZEIS and CAPUZZO – through the wire to Point 206 – East towards MERSA MATRUH – to the coast East of SIDI BARRANI – RAKHAM BAY – detoured MERSA MATRUH – crossed the road leading to SIWA – East via the desert road 15 miles West of EL RETEIMA – drove in truck due
East from here for ABU DWEIS and the QATTARA Depression – walked again after passing the enemy minefields till they contacted the New Zealanders.
In the early part of the journey they had been engaged three times by the enemy, and their general condition was so bad that they had to rest for 9 days in a Bir (oasis settlement) on their way to MERSA MATRUH. For food, they captured two Italians and their tank which contained 42 tins of bully beef and biscuits. Lt. BAILLIE released the Italians, and they reported back with the news that MERSA was in German hands, so they had to alter their route.
On 14.7.42 four of the party set off again, Cpl. MONAGAN and Dvr. HOSSACK having left them on 6th and 7th respectively and gone ahead.
15 miles West of EL RETEIMA, after walking over 300 miles, they built a vehicle out of several derelicts they found. In it they passed through heavy concentrations of enemy lines, actually taking the truck through a guarded road block.
The journey, done mostly on foot, took 38 days, and the party experienced extreme exposure, hunger, thirst, and lacerated swollen feet. Lt. BAILLIE spoke very highly of Sgt. NORTON’s courage and devotion in his role as second in command of the party.
This escape was a very fine feat of courage, endurance and determination – especially towards the end, when in spite of complete exhaustion the party braved the enemy lines in a vehicle of their own construction”.

LG 35794/5091

Victoria Cross (VC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: 1/4th Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment, 128th Infantry Brigade, 46th Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: October 26th, 1944

Citation:
"In Italy, on the 31st August 1944, Lieutenant Norton was commanding a platoon during the attack on the Monte Gridolfo feature, one of the strong points of the Gothic Line defences, and one which contained well sited concrete gun emplacements. The leading platoon of his Company was pinned down by heavy enemy fire from a valley on the right flank of the advance.
On his own initiative and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Lieutenant Norton at once engaged a series of emplacements in this valley. Single-handed, he attacked the first machine gun position with a grenade, killing the crew of three. Still alone, he then worked his way forward to a second position containing two machine guns and fifteen riflemen. After a fight lasting ten minutes he wiped out both machine gun nests with his Tommy gun, and killed or took prisoner the remainder of the enemy.
Throughout these attacks Lieutenant Norton came under direct fire from an enemy self-propelled gun and, whilst still under heavy fire from this gun, he went on to clear the cellar and upper rooms of a house, taking several more prisoners, and putting many of the enemy to flight. Although by this time wounded and weak from loss of blood, he continued calmly and resolutely to lead his platoon up the valley to capture the remaining enemy positions.
Throughout the attack Lieutenant Norton displayed matchless courage, outstanding initiative and inspiring leadership. By his supreme gallantry, fearless example and determined aggression, he assured the successful breach of the Gothic Line at this point."

Gerard Norton was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh, on the 1st December 1944.