BLOW, Norman Sidney

Norman was born 1924 in Newport to Frederick Truckle & Alice Maud (nee MOYLAN) BLOW.

Initially in reserve, but on 10th July they were given the task of capturing & holding the village of Maltot & the woods beyond. This entailed a long advance down a slope with little cover & in full view of the enemy.

They attacked at 0815 supported by tanks. Advancing towards Maltot, they met fierce opposition & sustained heavy casualties. Part of the Battalion did manage to enter the village where they attempted to secure defensive positions. Unfortunately, they ran into a very strongly defended enemy position with Tiger tanks concealed & dug in on the outskirts of the village. Consequently, the enemy were able to counter attack strongly & the situation for the companies in the village became hopeless.  Although help came from reinforcements, they eventually had to withdraw.  The casualties suffered were high, 18 officers & 208 Other Ranks were killed, wounded or missing.

That day, Norman, aged 20, was reported Missing Presumed Killed, & as his body was never recovered or identified, he is commemorated by the Commission on the Bayeux Memorial with 1,791 of his missing Second World War comrades.

Norman is also remembered on the Newport Borough War Memorial.