In Memory Norman T. L. Storey, Air Gunner, 214 Squadron
It is with deep sadness that I have to share the news of Norman Storey’s death on 4 January 2015. It was an extraordinary way of receiving this news and a first since the beginning of this Association to my knowledge, with an official letter announcing the death by a solicitor ‘acting in the administration of his estate’.
Norman became a firm and valued friend through the years. We spoke often on the telephone and he wrote inspiring long newsy letters. He also contributed a number of articles to the magazine and shared his wartime experiences. I can only imagine that his death was unexpected. The last time we spoke was at Christmas. He was looking forward to spending time with his wife at the Nursing Home. I cannot imagine how she copes suddenly bereft, not understanding why her husband no longer visits. With the arrival of a
Solicitor’s letter, I can only assume there is no other family. I did write back to the Solicitor, but received no response. Norman lived in Eastbourne, West Sussex, and died from a chest infection and chronic kidney disease diabetes. Before retiring, he had been a bookshop proprietor.
I believe having served during the war in 214 Squadron that many members might know more about Norman as a crew member and friend, and I would value learning more about someone who was very modest and humble in manner, but who delighted in talking and sharing on the telephone and in letters.
Meanwhile, after so willingly sharing experiences for the book: RAF 100 Group – Kindred Spirits which he was looking forward to sharing with his wife; he also told me about a Bomber Command medal forged after the war, destined for all veterans who served under Bomber Command, but which became a limited edition … the first given to Arthur Harris … before being shelved. However, the story behind this medal is intriguing. Norman certainly felt this to be the case, and sent me a leaflet, together with photographs and
information, bringing it together in one final article which I share with you now. I did ask at the Reunion how many veterans might have heard of this medal which at one point was available for a sum of £15.95; however, to date there is no-one who has said they knew about it, and certainly didn’t receive one. In turn, I should add that Norman felt it improper to send for one himself (for which there were no restrictions like on medals or clasps today!) because a. it had to be paid for, and b. it wasn’t officially presented.
Bomber Command Medal
Given that they were formed under Bomber Command, the only real tribute to their commitment and courage is the Bomber Command Memorial dedicated on 28 June 2012 in Green Park, London … and more recently a Bomber Command Clasp which attaches to the 1939-1945 Star for which anyone who flew at least one operational sortie qualifies. At least, that’s the way it comes out officially! Trying to get an actual Clasp is something else again, as we all know! It took many years of campaigning by veterans to gain this
small token of gratitude that still does not equal the medal so long overdue.
Even given the strict conditions around getting the award, is this Bomber Command Clasp enough when almost a quarter of a million veterans and their families have waited tens of years to have the recognition they deserve?
Veterans Minister Mark Francois stated in 2012:
‘All who served our country in Bomber Command … deserve nothing but the utmost respect and admiration from us.’
As a veteran Air Gunner, I am aware of a limited edition Bomber Command medal privately manufactured in the 1980s to honour those of us who fought under Bomber Command, including 100 Group. It begs the question: how many veterans were aware of this medal and how many actually applied for and received it, given it wasn’t an official medal presented in the usual way? I chose not to apply for the limited edition Bomber Command medal. It wasn’t a ‘proper medal’, not presented by the Forces or Royalty. My thoughts I share here:
During the war, men of Bomber Command were heroes. The day war ended, they were mass murderers, and murderers don’t get medals! Top politicians who fully supported Arthur Harris during the war wanted to disown any connection with the bombing of Germany. Did they want to appease those nice Germans who bombed London, Coventry and Plymouth? Bomber Command was never represented in the Victory Parade. Their attitude: ‘let Harris carry the can’. Members of Bomber Command and most of the general public considered this an insult, especially as Bomber Command did more than any to bring about the defeat of Germany. However, a small consolation was the decision of The Coin and Medal News magazine to arrange for the issue of a Bomber Command Medal. The cost of the Medal was £15.95. However, this could not be worn with official medals, but had to go beneath them. As President of the Air Gunners’ Association, I annually laid a wreath on behalf of the Association at the annual Memorial Service at
Runnymede. After the issue of the Medal I saw ex-Bomber Command veterans wear this Medal with pride, and rightly so. I could never bring myself to wear a Medal I could buy, but I fully support those who did. However, on receiving an application for the Medal, I was surprised and proud that the illustration of a crew on the front of the application was the photograph taken by the Lincolnshire newspaper after our ten Ops on Berlin with 103 Squadron …
The brochure advertising the medal shows Geoffrey H. Richmond, Co-ordinator of Adult Studies at Scarborough Technical College, as designer of the only Bomber Command Medal. During the Second World War he served in the RAF as a Wireless Operator in Iraq, Egypt, Malta, France and Germany. A member of the Orders and Medals Research Society and interested in Bomber Command, he felt that its aircrews’ special service was under-valued at the end of the war due to political factors prevalent at the time.
The medal was chosen by a panel of experts from a large number of entries submitted in May 1984 to a ‘Design a Medal for Bomber Command’ competition, the brainchild of regular RAF columnist Alan Cooper, believing members of Bomber Command received inadequate award for their courage and skill during the Second World War.
In response to an overwhelming number of requests from veterans of Bomber Command, a limited number of medals were struck, intended as a tribute to the bravery of those who flew and to the dedication of the skilled Ground Crew whose contribution was so essential. For each medal purchased, a donation of one pound was made to the newly-formed Bomber Command Association which lives on today.
The late Sir Arthur Harris, Bt GCB OBE AFC LLD, Commander in Chief of Bomber Command during the war, gave his blessing to the competition shortly before his death in 1984. He accepted one of the medals on behalf of Bomber Command believing his men would finally get what they were due. A special striking of the medal in sterling silver was presented to the Bomber Command Museum at Hendon for permanent display. The ribbon colours are blue grey, midnight blue, flame (signifying the North Sea, night over
enemy territory, target, return trip). The Laurel wreathed brevet letters of the aircrew supporting that of their pilot on one side signifies courage, team spirit and leadership. On the reverse is a Lancaster, Sir Arthur Harris’s ‘Shining Sword’. The epitome of night bomber development … symbolising the supreme technical achievement of industry and ground staff, on which the aircrew’s lives depended.
Norman Storey’s final words to me were:
‘I wish all members of RAF 100 Group Association ‘Happy Landings’ for many years to come!’
Norman Storey (a tribute)
with Janine Bradley
This article is from the Summer 2015 issue of Confound and Destroy
