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16/01/1889 - 15/09/1916

Place of birth: Catford, Kent
Last known address in Bromley: Sunnydene 14 Page Heath Lane

Military information

Regiment/Service: London Regiment
Battalion/Ship: 4th Bn attd 1st/21st Bn London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles)
Rank: Captain
Number: Unknown

Family information

Parents: Sir John Wrench & Alice Maud Towse
Parents' occupation: Clerk to Fishmonger's Company
Siblings: John Stanley, Evelyn Annie, Emmeline Mary, Ada Muriel, Agnes Frances, Edward Beresford
Relatives on War Memorial: TOWSE, C.H., WHITTLE, A.D.

Census information

1901
Address: Hillside, Ravensbourne Park, Catford
1911
Address: Sunnydene, Page Heath Lane
Occupation: Merchant's clerk

Extra details

Norman was the youngest of Sir John Wrench and Alice Maud Towse's seven children. After attending Dover College (1904-07) he went as a clerk to Paris for N M Rothchild and Sons (1907-08) and then to London. On 2nd August 1911 Norman was admitted into the Freedom of the City of London, by Patrimony, in the Company of Fishmongers.

In December 1914 he obtained his commission in the London Regiment. On 15th September 1916 the 1st London Regiment was at the Battle Of Flers-Courcelette where Norman was shot through the head while leading a gallant attack on the enemy lines. His cousin Arthur Denton Whittle was also at the Battle Of Flers-Courcelette and died the day after Norman.
It was at this battle that tanks were used for the first time.

Norman's uncle Clifford Henry Towse also died.

Thank you to Dover College for their assistance. Photo:- https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205389831