FSGT Norm Harvey
August 14, 1916 – June 7, 2006

Volume 48, No. 12, July 13, 2006

GENUINE MAN: Norm Harvey.

NORMAN Harvey was a genuine person with rare qualities. His quiet nature, sincerity and unassuming disposition made a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Norman Lloyd Harvey enlisted with the Royal Australian Air Force on August 21, 1940, as a mess steward and remustered to become a photographer after graduating from No. 5 Airmens’ Initial Photographic course.

A 19-month posting to 18 (NEI) SQN (commanded by the Netherlands East Indies Forces and operationally controlled by the RAAF) in May 1942, took CPL Harvey to remote areas of the Northern Territory. Norm’s photographic duties saw him flying in B-25 Mitchell’s, conducting reconnaissance sorties and bombing runs over the Dutch East Indies (now Indonesia).

On more than one occasion, Norm escaped perilous situations involving Japanese Zero attacks and emergency aircraft landings.

Although Norm’s career was short (discharging on November 21, 1945), his active war service had a profound effect on him that would last the rest of his life. The Australian War Memorial records 18 (NEI) SQN having lost 115 members during its relatively short wartime service.

Norm shielded his family from his traumatic memories until a video interview in which he openly discussed his war experiences.

Norm lived his life in Ballarat, returning after the war to his wife and young daughter.

N.L Harvey Press Photo Service supplied photos to the Herald, The Age and the Sun and he was also the official Ballarat police and city council photographer.
- CPL Craig Eager.

 

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