NOT FORGETTING NORMAN: A Spitfire Pilot

by Stuart Palmer

The story revolves around the circumstances that caused the death of two Spitfire pilots in the skies over Cornwall during March 1942. It also goes on to describe how the author, through his own research, discovered that nothing is ever as it seems. A story that appears to be cut and dry hides a long lost secret. Sergeant William David Norman was a young Australian airman, who came to England to fly Spitfires for the RAF. Unfortunately during March 1942 he was killed in an accident whilst flying his Spitfire, serial number AB496. Now instead of that being the end of the story, for me it was just the beginning. Sgt Norman would have had no idea that his death would be the start of an incredible, long and personal journey seventy-five years later. By telling his story I hope to ensure that his name will be spoken again and not just lost in time together with his sacrifice and that of countless others. There is another aim in telling Sgt Norman’s story. That is to right a wrong that was instigated in the immediate aftermath of this tragic accident, and reported again seventy-five years later. However, this can only happen if the authorities take notice. I ask you, the reader, to follow in my footsteps and to understand that this story was never about blame. It is about the truth. The airmen referred to in this story were incredibly brave, of superb character and doing an impossible job in often impossible circumstances. They were all heroes and the truth will never detract from that. Certain people within certain organisations referred to within these pages will no doubt have their feathers ruffled (they will know who they are). I make no apologies for that, as they had their chance to put it right, but chose not to. The accident that killed Sgt Norman was a collision with another Spitfire. Whilst I am not going to dwell too much on the service records and histories of both pilots prior to this event, I feel it is pertinent for us to get to know Sgt Norman, because he is the focus of this story.

78 pages, Paperback

Published April 2, 2022