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436778 Sgt. Norman John HEAL.
PARENTS : Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Heal of New Plymouth.

Norman Heal was born at Stratford on February 17th, 1923. He was educated at New Plymouth Boys' High School and after leaving school was employed as a clerk by Newton King Ltd.

After serving in the 1st Taranaki Regiment for nearly two years, he transferred to the Air Force and commenced pilot flying training at Taieir in March 1944. He was, however, reselected as a Air Gunner and went to Delta training camp until July, when he proceeded to Ohakea. He qualified there as a Wireless Operator, Air Gunner on September 16th, 1944. Going to No. 1 Bomber Operational Training Unit, he became W.O.A.G. in Ventura aircraft piloted by Sgt. Young and with this crew went forward to Nausori to join No. 8 Squadron in November 1944.

On December 4th, 1944 the Ventura in which Sgt. Heal was Wireless Operator Air Gunner crashed while landing on the Funafuti airstrip, all the crew losing their lives. The others were F/Sgt. W. Young (Captain & Pilot), P/O J.D. Dungley (Navigator) F/Sgt. R.F. McAuliffe and Sgt. L.J. Bowich (Air Gunners). They are buried in the Funafuti cemetery.

Find a Grave link with photos of Sgt. Heal: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82100800/norman-john-heal

5/2/12193 A.S.2.
160 hours as an Air Gunner.

Mrs. E.H. Heal (M) (right aligned)
74 Cleman Road, (right aligned)
NEW PLYMOUTH. (right aligned & underlined)