Bee, Norman – Mayor died in office

Norman Bee (1912-1971)

Councillor Norman Bee was born in Victoria Street, and was educated at Wharf Road School and the Boys Central when it was still behind the Guildhall.
He was an active member of the Salvation Army and was an officer at both Cork and Eniskillen in Ireland before transfer to the Salvation Army Corps in Eastern England.
In 1939, on the outbreak of war, he undertook relief work during the blitzes at London and Liverpool.
He married Capt Elizabeth Shaw and they were both transferred to RAF Hemswell, near Gainsborough.
Major and Mrs Bee then served with the RAF at Hemswell, Weeton and Swinderby for 20 years before returning to Grantham. They made their home at Harlaxton Road.
He was elected Conservative councillor for St John’s Ward in 1965 and in 1971 became the town’s Mayor.
During that year, he took ill on the way to his work at Industrial Engines (Sales) Ltd, of London Road, where he was a cost clerk.
He was taken to Grantham Hospital where he died, aged 59.