| Administrative History | Norman Norton from Bloxwich, Staffordshire served in searchlight batteries in the Royal Artillery during the 1939-1945 war. While stationed at the Drill Hall, Derby in 1941 he met Elsy Hall who was still living at home in Derby. They married in August 1942 but were separated for most of the next three and a half years. Norman was stationed in Shropshire and Kent before sailing to Norway in 1945. After Norman was demobbed in 1946 they lived in Derby and later in Shelton Lock with their son. Norman worked at Rolls-Royce, Derby.
Norman and Elsy wrote regularly throughout the years of separation. Their letters deal with the difficulties of courtship and married life during wartime, as well as offering personal views and insights on life. |
| Custodial History | The records were deposited by a private individual in February 1997. |