Private Norman Richard Wight
- Rank
- Private
- Appointment
- Australian Army 1917 Western Front
- Service number
- 2436
- Unit
- 44 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Broodseinde, Belgium
- Date of death
- 4 October 1917
- Age
- 20
- Plaque number
- M616A
- Co-located plaques
- M616 - SGT Harry Thrum
- Dedicated by
- His family on 19 August 2017
- More information
Biography presented during the plaque dedication:
Private Norman Richard Wight of 44th Australian Infantry Battalion was born in Adelaide, South Australia, in March 1897 to Alexander and Rose Wight. He had two brothers and five sisters. The family moved to Geraldton, Western Australia about 1902 and Alexander was a store keeper and salesman. Norman attended Geraldton State School and was involved in rowing and swimming. After leaving school, he worked as a clerk for E. L. Lee-Steere and Company. Before enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force, he served for four years in the senior cadets and six months with 88 Infantry Battalion.
He enlisted in May 1916 in Geraldton and was assigned to 4th Reinforcements of 44 Battalion. The Reinforcements embarked at Fremantle aboard HMAT Port Macquarie in October 1916 and disembarked at Plymouth, United Kingdom, in December. Training continued at 11 Training Battalion at Larkhill. Norman was awarded the Royal Humane Society bronze medal by his Officer Commanding 4 Reinforcements:
‘in which the king has been graciously pleased to award to the gallant soldier for conspicuous bravery in his attempt to rescue a drowning comrade in the port of Freetown, Sierra Leone.’
The Reinforcements proceeded to France in April 1917 and he was taken on strength in the field by 44 Battalion. He served throughout France and Belgium in D company. In October, the Battalion moved to Broodseinde Ridge area, to be ready for the Battle of Broodseinde in the Third Battle for Ypres Campaign. The attack to capture the village of Broodseinde began before dawn on 4 October 1917. It was a large operation involving 12 divisions which included British, Australian and a New Zealand Division, attacking along a ten-mile front. 44 Battalion attacked with a company on the right, B company centre and D company, left. The Battalion suffered casualties from enemy shelling on its move forward.
Private Norman Richard Wight, regimental number 2436, was killed in action at Broodseinde, Belgium, on 4 October 1917. He was 20 years of age.
He has no known grave and his official memorial is the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium, where his name is shown on Panel 27. His Place of Association is Geraldton, Western Australia.