Harrogate Herald - 9th January 1918
Roll of Honour
Sergeant Norman Shepherd, youngest son of Alderman
and Mrs Shepherd, Dragon Avenue, has been killed in Palestine.
He was twenty-six years old and was in the Colonial Office up to
joining the Forces in the early part of 1915. he joined the Queen's
Westminster Rifles and served in France and Salonica before taking
part in the Palestine campaign. He has two brothers serving, the
eldest being an officer in the Tanks and the other in the RFA.
Harrogate Herald – 21st April 1920
Memorial Unveiled
A solemn yet inspiring service was held at the
Dragon Parade Primitive Methodist Church on Friday evening, when a
brass memorial tablet was unveiled by the Rev T Gladwyn, of Reading,
which had been erected in memory of Sergeant Norman Shepherd,
youngest son of Alderman and Mrs Shepherd, by his brothers
and sisters. Sergeant Shepherd was in the Colonial Office,
London, for 12 years, and during that time was a regular attender at
the Harringay Primitive Methodist Church.
The service commenced with the singing of the hymn
"He liveth long who liveth well", followed with prayer by
the Rev E McLellan, who added some commendable remarks on the young
soldier's consistent and cheerful life.
The Rev T Gladwyn then unveiled the tablet, which is
fixed in the centre of the church on the right-hand wall, and read
the inscription :
"To the glory of God and in proud and loving
memory of Sergeant Norman (Norrie) Shepherd, youngest son of Alderman
J and Mrs Shepherd of this town, 22/16 London Regiment, Queen's
Westminster Rifles, who died January 2nd, 1918, of wounds received
in action before Jerusalem. Interred in the Jerusalem Military
Cemetery. Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori".
Returning to the pulpit the rev. gentleman paid high
tribute to the sterling qualities of the deceased. When they heard
what had happened to Norman Shepherd he said they were all
shocked and their sympathy went out to the bereaved. Referring to
the memorial, he said he felt it was a beautiful record in a
beautiful place of a beautiful life. When he came to London he went
to his (the speaker's) church, and his behaviour was such that it
was distinct and an asset to the congregation. He spoke of his
loyalty and cheerfulness and urged them to let Norman Shepherd's
life be theirs and endeavour to display that same spirit and same
deportment that they might have the triumphant life which always
lived and ended in translation and not death.
Mr Arthur Annakin then sang impressively the solo
"Be thou faithful unto death".
The Rev E J T Bagenal, of York, referred to the
deceased's happy home life, and said he was one of the most active
and earnest workers in connection with Harringay Church, and
displayed the same standard of conduct when he joined the army. They
were not surprised when his Major wrote and said that he was a man
that could always be relied upon. His death, he said, was a distinct
call to them to consecrate themselves afresh. He trusted his
beautiful life would have such an influence on their lives and the
church, that they would be ready to dedicate their lives to Jesus
Christ. Their sympathy went out to the father and mother and family.
The service concluded with the hymn, "Peace,
perfect peace".
Mr J H Marlow presided at the organ.
The tablet is the work of Mr Jesper, of Prospect
Crescent.
Harrogate Herald - 30th November 1921
Memorial tablet in porch of the Dragon Road
Methodist Church : Full article at War Memorials
The tablet, which is surrounded with an artistic raised border,
bears an oval wreath in relief, and the names of the fallen in
raised letters in the centre as follows : "In honoured memory
of the men of this church who fought and died in the Great War. A
Bradley, H Bennison, B Bousedale, R Houseman, E [Could be K or H]
Hardcastle, A Hood, W A Long, W Macintosh, M Maude, E Middleton, R
Preston, N Shepherd, G Topham, W H Weighill, R Wegg. On to
the City of God".
SDGW
London Regiment
16th (County of London) Battalion (Quee's
Westminster Rifles)
Sergeant Norman Shepherd 551460
Enlisted : Westminster
Residence : Harringay
Died : 2nd January 1918
Died of Wounds
EEF
