Neal, Norman – Advertising manager died on active service

Norman Neal (1909-1942)

CQMC Norman Percy Neal was killed on active service, the first member of the Grantham Journal staff to do so.

Born in Victoria Street and then living at Gorse Rise, he volunteered to join the Army in 1940, aged 30.

Educated at Spittlegate Boys and Boys Central, he was an active member of Spittlegate Old Boys and was secretary of its football team.

He joined the Journal on leaving school, as office boy in the commercial department, rising to advertisement manager in 1935.

At the outbreak of war he first joined the Civil Defence then the LDV (later Home Guard), before volunteering for the Royal Engineers.

He was killed on active service in Algeria, North Africa serving with 1010 Docks Operating Company. He is buried at Dely Ibrahim War Cemetery.

He left a widow, Myrtle (nee Amos) who worked at Grantham Library.