Norman Charles SHIRLEY DFM

Norman Charles SHIRLEY Leading Aircraft Man Royal Air Force Born 25 January 1921 at Headington, Oxfordshire to Charles and Gladys, nee Belson. In peacetime was a porter, 1939 he was with his parents at 147 Dorchester Road, Dorset, and was in the RAF. In the war he was a rear gunner photographer with the Royal Air Force. 1944 he married Vera Salmons


DFM Citation
637036 Leading Aircraftman Norman Charles SHIRLEY, No. 69 Squadron.
One day in" February, 1942, this airman was an occupant of an aircraft which, in the course of an operational sortie, was attacked by enemy fighters. Although he was wounded in 7 places. Leading Aircraftman Shirley bravely fought back using his guns with good effect. During the engagement, Verey cartridges exploded in his aircraft and set fire to the back seat, but, when the attack was concluded, Leading Aircraftman Shirley succeeded in extinguishing the flames. By his courage and presence of mind in trying circumstances, this airman, although suffering considerably from his wounds, undoubtedly saved his aircraft from destruction.