Norman Staghall
British Army Royal Signals
from:Huddersfield
Before I go.
My mother, Joan Louise Hanson, met the love of her life Norman Staghall towards the end of the war. A neighbour and friend of our family Lewellyn Balmford had telephoned my grandparents to say that he was home on leave and would like to bring his friend Norman round to see them, explaining that he and Norman had met in the army and became best friends.
My mother had joined the Post Office straight after matriculating from High School, and although the work was varied and interesting, it became very arduous after the outbreak of war in September 1939, with long hours of compulsory overtime, often until 10 o'clock at night, for which she was paid on overtime rate of 10d. an hour (equivalent decimal coinage = 4p). I remember my mother telling me that at the end of a long shift, some of the girls would descend into hysterics - out of sheer exhaustion! However, as a reserved occupation it did mean that my mother could live at home (however little time she had to spend there). Accordingly, my mother was at home on the evening that Lew visited her parents with Norman. There was an immediate rapport between my mother and Norman, and although they did not have much time together, they very quickly formed an intense friendship.
Not long after their initial meeting, Norman received a posting to Burma. However, Norman, who originated from Hull, was a fluent French speaker owing to his family firm's export connections with France, and my mother remembers him telling her that he would be of far more use to the War Effort if he was posted to Europe. The military authorities agreed with his request for re-deployment and promptly re-assigned him to the European Theatre. Norman was then sent to a Holding Battalion which meant that he was confined to Barracks because the orders to embark for Europe could arrive at any moment. While he waited, he scribbled a poem and posted it to my mother who received it after he had left.
The poem obviously anticipates his own death, which occurred in February 1945 - almost at the end of hostilities on the Western Front as the allied advance in the west gradually ground to a halt, while the Red Army took Berlin. It can only be a matter of speculation whether Norman would have been killed if he had accepted his original posting to the Far East.
My mother learned of Normans death by means of a letter from Lew, which came in an Active Service Army Privilege Envelope bearing the stamp Passed by Censor No. 11297 A facsimile of the first and relevant part of the letter is reproduced below, with a typed copy of the text to follow. If the tone and expression of the letter appears unduly restrained, three points should be borne in mind:- the letter was being read by an army censor - a total stranger; sudden, violent death was an everyday occurrence; Lew was unaware of the depth of Norman's relationship with my mother - men in the 1940s were very much inclined to be reticent about their innermost feelings, even with their best friend. In fact, Lew never knew the truth about their relationship. I am not sure that even my grandparents ever knew the truth.
Dear Joan,
It was the real Tabasco receiving your letter and after the way I missed your charming smile and sparkling eyes it was a lovely surprise. Unfortunately, however, I have very bad news for you. Norman has gone, killed by enemy action. It is very difficult for me to realise that we shall never see him again as we had been very close friends for over three years.
I am afraid they will be rather upset at home too as they liked him very much and we had made all sorts of plans for after war. Isnt it awful after him being in the services for 5 years and the war being in sight of the end.
Before I go Poem
If I should die think only this of me I did not die for any king, for any country I did not die for any cause, for any call, I died because I had to, - thats all. Because somewhere it was written Among all the destinies of men. Just as it was written you and I should meet Love and ever parted because of marching feet. You must go on, so much there is to do Many there will be who will fall in love with you, Inspire each one as you did me To better a world I shall not see. Make people happy to see you smile Use your beauty for the things worthwhile, Remember, if you miss me and be sad You gave me the only real happiness I ever had. Fear not for me this youthful early end For I shall see what lies beyond the bend, < Shall lift mine eyes and see the face of God. I shall look on from the shadowed sphere Where we can watch yet never interfere, Please let me to others proudly say She once loved me in the sweetest way.
