Gerard Ross Norton
Lieutenant, Kaffrarian Rifles. South African Forces
- Register No.
- 934 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Kaffrarian Rifles. South African Forces all Kaffrarian Rifles VCs →
- Date of action
- 31 August 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 26th October 1944 on this day → all of 1944 →
- Born
- 7th September 1915 at Hershel, Cape Province, South Africa
Digest of citation
During the attack on Monte Gidolfo, Italy on 31st August 1944, heavy fire was pinning down Lieutenant Norton's Platoon. Advancing alone, on his own initiative, he attacked the first machine gun emplacement with complete disregard for his own safety, he killed the three man crew. He continued on to the second position which contained two machine guns and 15 Riflemen. He wiped out both machine-gun nests, killing some of the enemy and taking prisoner the remainder of the emplacement. Throughout his action he was cool whilst under constant fire from a self-propelled gun. He continued on, leading his platoon against the remaining enemy opposition
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
NORTON, Gerard Ross. (reg No. 934).
Lieutenant. Kaffrarian Rifles. South African Forces * Gazetted on 26th October 1944.
Born on 7th September 1915 at Hershel, Cape Province, South Africa.
Digest of Citation: During the attack on Monte Gidolfo, Italy on 31st August 1944, heavy fire was pinning down Lieutenant Norton's Platoon. Advancing alone, on his own initiative, he attacked the first machine gun emplacement with complete disregard for his own safety, he killed the three man crew. He continued on to the second position which contained two machine guns and 15 Riflemen. He wiped out both machine-gun nests, killing some of the enemy and taking prisoner the remainder of the emplacement. Throughout his action he was cool whilst under constant fire from a self-propelled gun. He continued on, leading his platoon against the remaining enemy opposition.
* attached to the 1st/4th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.
Additional information:. Captain Norton also held the Military Medal. (MM)
Additional information
Captain Norton also held the Military Medal. (MM)
* attached to the 1st/4th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment.
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