We regret to advise of the death of Warrant Officer Class II Norman Ernest Purcell (Ret'd) of Halifax NS on 30 December 2014 at the age of 90 years.
Norman was born in Halifax. Prior to the Second World War, he served in the Militia before enlisting in the Active Force in September 1939 when he was 15 years old. His age was ‘adjusted’ and he was sent overseas with the 6th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. He took part in the Normandy Landings in support of the Regina Rifles at Courseulles-sur-Mere. He was wounded in Belgium and, after a period of recovery, returned to his unit for the rest of the war. Norman returned to Halifax after the war and served in the Militia with the 5th Field Engineer Regiment. He moved to Ottawa in 1951, and continued his Militia service until 1953 when he retired as a Warrant Officer Class II. Norman later moved back to Halifax and was a member of the Fairview Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
