On Liverpool Naval Memorial is the name of Sub Lieutenant Norman William Crowe serving on H.M. Rescue Tug Adherent with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died 14/01/1944.
The son of Albert Ernest and Henrietta Crowe, of West Hartlepool, Co. Durham and the husband of Ena Crowe.
Dennis Lendrem has submitted the following:-
He was the son of Albert Ernest Crowe and Henrietta Hart of Park Road, West Hartlepool and was born in 1914. After leaving the school, Norman first joined the Merchant Navy and then the Royal Navy where he achieved the rank of Lieutenant. He met and married Ena Mary Packer in London in 1941. His ship HMS Adherent was lost in the North Atlantic on 14 January 1944.
The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 11/01/1943 reports:-
HIGH COURAGE D.F.C. FOR LOCAL FLYING OFFICER
Flying Officer Albert Hart Crowe. R.A.F., younger son of Mrs, Crowe, of 70 Park Road, West Hartlepool, has been awarded the D.F.C. for gallantry and devotion to duty in air operations. Aged 23, Flying Officer Crowe was educated the West Hartlepool Secondary School and joined the- RA F. as an apprentice in 1936. He qualified a pilot in 1940 and was commissioned in 1941. His official citation states; addition to many operations against industrial areas enemy territory, he has taken part frequently in minelaying operations with much success. During the daylight attack Le Creusot he kept formation with his squadron commander in spite most adverse weather. He also took part in the attack on Milan, where he bombed the target from a height of 6.000 feet. This officer has pressed home all his attacks, often in the face heavy opposition, and has displayed high courage and determination.
Flying Officer Crowe’s father died before his son was born. His mother formerly carried on kindergarten school in Park Road. The school closed when the war began, and since then Mrs. Crowe has occupied herself mainly with voluntary war work. She is organizer of the Windsor Street Savings Group, and is also actively interested in the W.V.S. Housewives’ Service. Her elder son, Mr. Norman Crowe (27), is a second officer in the Merchant Navy, who has also proved his worth in almost continuous service at sea. Some time ago he was presented by the Admiralty with a certificate for bravery and a monetary award for helping to save his ship after she had been torpedoed.
The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 24/02/1944 reports:-
PRESUMED LOST AT SEA
Lieut. Norman W. Crowe (29) R.N. elder son Mrs. Crowe of 70 Park Road. West Hartlepool, and of the late Mr. A. E. Crowe of Park House, Trimdon, is reported presumed lost at sea. He is the brother of Squadron Leader Albert H Crowe DFC (RAF). Sometime ago Lt. Crowe who was then serving with the Merchant Navy was presented with a certificate for bravery and a monetary award for helping save a ship after it had been torpedoed. Lieut. Crowe’s wife and young son live in London.
Norman William Crowe is remembered in Hartlepool on H115.16, in West Hartlepool on W111.002, W111.021 and W111.055, in 1939-1945 Military and Civilian names beginning with C and in our List of Ships’ Crews.
