Norman and I were in No. 7 Platoon of B Company in the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps, which as mobilised on September 3, 1939. Our Platoon Commander was Lt.

Anthony F.(Toby) Smith, who was to lose his life during a 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment attack in Holland in 1944.

On September 4, 1939 the platoon went to Boaz Island to establish a machine gun position as part of Bermuda's defence against possible enemy landings designed to create sabotage at the Dockyard.

We had to set up camp and pitch-old style bell tents where we slept with our feet towards the centre pole, looking much like the spokes of a wheel.

It was at this point that I first became aware of Norman's flair for one-liners and quick quips. During all this camp organising bustle, one of our number commented "When is this war going to be over?'' -- and it was just 24 hours old! Norman retorted "Listen, mate, this war's going to make the 100 Years War look like a Thursday afternoon off!'' In the early war years, volunteering for service overseas was welcomed, although Bermuda Command Headquarters could not forecast when we could go.

Mainly, we had to wait until defence of Bermuda was sufficiently strong before permission would be granted.

In the meantime, like many of us with office experience, we were able to help with the mass of paperwork wartime service generated. Norman began this side of his army career in B Company office. Later, he was posted to the Command Pay Office.

Eventually, in 1943, he got his wish and chose to join the Royal Canadian Air Force.

His overseas service was splendidly covered in an interview with Nancy Acton published in The Royal Gazette of November 10, 1999. The details that follow are taken largely from this.

Norman was one of eleven volunteers bound for the RCAF. They had to take preliminary medical tests at the US Navl Operating Station to determine fitness for air crew duty. Norman passed easily.

They had received some navigational training in Bermuda. Commander E.M. (Mo) Ware, acting both as pilot and navigator, flew the group to Canada in a Catalina flying boat.

Two years of intensive training followed. At the end of it, Norman graduated as a wireless operator air gunner.

However, some disappointing news was in store for them. "The Commanding Officer called us in'', he told Nancy Acton, "and said `Now, gentlemen, we have all the air crew we need at this point, so we are going to send you on leave for a month. Report back to the manning depot for discharge'.'' While they were on leave there was a change of plan. They were called back for further posting.

"They sent us to Ottawa, and, after four or five more months of standing by, I met and married Bermudian Virginia (Ginty) Hooper, who was also serving with the RCAF. That was in May, 1945 and VE (Victory in Europe Day) came soon after.'' Norman Sumpter was born on 8th March, 1920 at Devonport, Devon, England -- "at a very tender age'', as he put it! He attended school in Southampton, England before emigrating with his family to Bermuda in 1937.

One of his first jobs was with Imperial Airways at Darrell's Island when the flying boats served Bermuda.

After the War he joined Ambard & Company, a local firm representing major companies abroad. A permanent career change took him to the Bermuda Fire & Marine Insurance Company, with whom he remained as a life underwriter for over 30 years until his retirement.

In 1978, he met Mary (Jolley) Smith at Wesley Methodist Church. Two years later they were married in the same church. Their faith, church affiliation and related activities remained a major part of their lives together.

Norman Sumpter's interest in sports began in his school days. He took part in track and field, cricket and football. Later, he added table tennis and billiards, becoming proficient in both. While serving in the BVRC and the RCAF he ran in track events. His specialty was the mile.

He won the mile at BAA and Bermuda Command athletic meetings, and placed third in a RCAF meeting in Canada. His best time was 4.30 minutes.

Norman was very much a man of his time and, whether the occasion was casual or formal, he was always well dressed. In our young days no self-respecting girl would go out with any of us if we were not properly groomed and attired.

Norman died on November 21, 2000 and is survived by his wife, Mary, son Jim (by a former marriage) in Australia, step-daughter Heather in England, and step-sons Michael, Peter and Richard of Bermuda, and their families.

He was a member of the BVRC Overseas Association, and the Bermuda War Veterans Association.

We shared many memories of wartime and peacetime with Norman, and remember his happy, friendly, generous personality. We shall miss him at our reunions. Next year, I shall glance at an empty reunion chair and "see'' him in it. If I "listen'' closely, I may even "hear'' something that will make me smile.

Contributed by Tommy Aitchison Norman James Sumpter 1920-2000 RELIGION REL