Norman William Searle

15 May 1924 – 24 November 2014

Norman William Searle served with the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, landing on Sword Beach on D-Day, 6th June 1944, as part of the 6th Beach Group. Tasked with securing the beach and holding the River Orne, he survived intense sniper fire and artillery. Later transferred to the 5th Seaforth Highlanders, 51st Highland Division, he fought in Le Havre, Market Garden, the Ardennes, and the Reichswald Forest, Trained as a flamethrower operator, he survived brutal battles, freezing conditions, and a serious wound before being evacuated with honourable discharge. Over 50% of his original company was lost in action. Norman’s story honours the Poor Bloody Infantry (P.B.I.), whose sacrifices shaped the course of the war.