Norman Herbert

Medals awarded

  • General Service Medal 1918- 62
    Clasp: Palestine
  • Defence Medal 1939-45
  • British War Medal 1939-45

Medals are shown left to right, as per the bullet point list above.

Known to his fellow officers as ‘The Herb’, Norman Thomas Herbert was born in Lahore, India in 1904.

He was commissioned into the regiment as 2nd Lieutenant in 1924, then promoted to Lieutenant in 1926. In 1929, now a Captain, he served during the Palestine riots and later in 1930 was part of the Shanghai Defence Force.
He was promoted to the rank of Major in 1941 and later that year took command of the 10th Battalion who were in south-east England, mainly on defensive work.

In December 1942 the Battalion moved to Truro and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel R.G. Parker. The battalion subsequently became the 12th Battalion (Yorkshire) Parachute Regiment.

Having exceeded retirement age, Herbert was placed on retired pay in June 1959. “The Herb” lived in Richmond but died early in 1963 aged 59. Major Norman Swan wrote a touching obituary in the Gazette referring to Herbert as a very self effacing man who was a talented pianist and sportsman. “He was liked and admired by those who were able to know him well.”