Kenneth Bower Norris RIP

Kyt · Oct 14, 2008

Amazing!

Stockport war hero dies - News - Manchester Evening News

THE remarkable story of a war veteran who lived a 'Robinson Crusoe' -type existence on a remote island base during the Second World War II has emerged after following his death.

Kenneth Bower Norris from Didsbury in Manchester, was a member of the RAF Air Sea Rescue when he was despatched to the Nancowry islands, a remote part of the Nicobar islands, in India.

When fighting in the area ended, Allied forces forgot about Kenneth and his colleagues - leaving them stranded for months, fending for themselves and unable to communicate with the natives. They were only discovered when a vessel arrived to destroy the base.

Kenneth, from Didsbury, who has died aged 97, was part of a team of three who were responsible for refuelling flying boats from a squadron based in Singapore.

To defend the base they were armed with one rifle between them and just one round of ammunition.

Kenneth's role was to supply the boats with fuel from the 100,000 gallons stored on the isolated island.

He would travel out in his small motor boat to hand over the supplies. When the engine packed up he created a home-made sail using a sheet to make sure he could continue the deliveries.

After the fall of Singapore, Kenneth and his colleagues were forgotten about and left stranded with no supplies.

Despite not speaking the local language, they managed to befriend the island's tribal inhabitants and were given chickens and food.

Throughout that time Kenneth continued to refuel several civilian boats carrying refugees.

Rescued

He was eventually rescued when a vessel arrived to destroy the base and the captain was stunned to find the three lone soldiers still manning the station.

Together they destroyed the remaining fuel supplies to ensure they could not be used by the Japanese, who eventually took over the island about 12 weeks later.

Kenneth's niece Pamela Norris said: "Kenneth was practical, pragmatic, always polite and unassuming. "He encapsulated old-fashioned virtues of self-reliance, positive thinking and goodwill to his fellow men and women.

"He was the most extremely discreet character and was not given to boasting about his life. He will be much-missed."

Kenneth tied the knot with his beloved Enid five years before being called up.

She was forced to endure an agonising wait after he was reported missing before being reunited with him in Blackpool.

Kenneth was a former Manchester Grammar School pupil who went on to train as a chartered surveyor, auctioneer and estate agent. He was a member of the Rotary Club and also a Justice of the Peace.

He had a passion for motorbikes and became internationally known after winning a host of competitions.

Kenneth died on September 27.
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Antipodean Andy · Oct 19, 2008

Another amazing piece to the huge puzzle!

RIP.

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Kenneth Bower Norris RIP

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