680683 PTE. N. GRIME. R.F.A.

 

Norman Grime was born on Christmas Eve in 1896 in Lostock Hall and baptised on 31 January 1897 at Farington St Paul’s.  His father was John Grime (b. 1874 in Bamber Bridge), a County Court bailiff.  His mother was Alice Thompson (b. 1874 in Preston).  John and Alice were married at St Saviour’s in 1896.  Norman was their first-born and they had two more sons, Roland (b. 1898) and Alfred (b. 1905).  In 1911, the family was living at 53 St Mary’s Road, Bamber Bridge.  Norman was working as a weaver (aged 14).

 

Norman enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery, though not with the other Briggers who enlisted in Bamber Bridge.  Norman enlisted in Preston and was posted to “B” Battery, 286Bde.  He was assigned service number 680683 and landed in France in February 1917.  In 1917, he served with 286Bde in the defence of Armentières and in the Second Battle of Passchendaele.  More details of the 1918 German Spring Offensive can be found here (Francis Schultz’s biography).  Norman was killed near Merris on 14 April 1918, aged 21.

 

Rank:  Private

Service Number: 680683

Date of Death:  14/04/1918

Age:  21

Regiment/Service:  Royal Field Artillery, “B” Bty. 286th Bde.

Cemetery/memorial reference: Panel 4 to 6 and 162.

Memorial:  TYNE COT MEMORIAL

Additional Information:  Son of John and Alice Grime, of 53 St. Mary's Road, Bamber Bridge, Preston.

 

Norman’s brother, Roland, also served in the forces.  He served with the Royal Marines Light Infantry: Plymouth Division.  He enlisted under age on 16 June 1916 (aged 17).  His service number was 18955.  I don’t know where he served, but he survived the War, married in 1923, and died in 1965.

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