Casualty Information

L/Cpl Gentle joined the Army on the 29th of January 1942, initially into the Army Air Corps. In the same year, He was transferred to the Cameron Highlanders.

On March 11th, 1943, he was transferred to the King's Own Scottish Borderers, taking part in the D-Day landings in Normandy on the 6th of June, 1944.

We can not find the date that Norman was wounded but a memo regarding pay may mean it was between 6th and 14th June 1944.

He died of his wounds as reported by Portsmouth Unitary Authority, Hampshire, England. He is buried in Hillfoot Cemetery in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire, Scotland

Norman wasn't the first soldier in his family; his uncle Robert Jones was a private in the Highland Light Infantry during WW1. Robert was killed in France on the 19th of December 1914 at age 21, the same age as Norman when he died. Robert Jones' remains weren't discovered until 1927. He was put to rest at Bailleul Road East Cemetery, France. Norman's mum, Elizabeth, left a personal inscription on her brother Robert's grave saying he lived as he died, a soldier.

Norman's other uncle, Thomas Benedict Jones, served with the KOSB and later the labour corps during WW1. (Thomas must have joined later in the war or lied about his age as he was only born in 1899). 

"The 1940s were a devastating time for the Gentle family. In 1942, Norman's Brother, Robert Jones Gentle (my great-grandfather), while serving as the ship's Cook for the troop carrier SS Cameronia, had boiling fat fall over him, scalding him. he passed a few hours later and was buried at sea; he was only 29. The following year, in 1943, Norman's Brother, William Gentle, while working on machinery in Glasgow, was crushed to death. He was only 28. 

Norman Gentle passed away on the 26th July 1944 at St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, from wounds received in Normandy. He was only 21."

Norman's great-nephew.

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