Norman Dark

First Name: 
Norman
Last Name: 
Dark
Mother's Name: 
Laura Dark nee Brown
Father's Name: 
Benjamin Dark
Date Enlisted: 
Monday, September 6, 1915
Rank at Enlistment: 
Private
Rank at Discharge: 
Private
Unit: 
55th Battalion
Company: 
C
Service: 
Infantry
Awards: 
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Date of Death: 
Wednesday, September 26, 1917
Place of Death: 
Polygon Wood, Belgium
Cause of Death: 
Killed in action
Details: 

Norman Dark (Service No 4787) was born in Lambeth, London, England around 1892.  In 1914 he and his sister emigrated to Australia and settled in Berry, N.S.W.

When Norman enlisted at the age of 23 he was single and worked as a motor mechanic.

Norman embarked from Sydney on board HMAT A15 Star of England with 15th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion on 8th March 1916.  When he arrived in Egypt Norman was transferred to 11 Platoon, C Company, 55th Battalion, and the troops were sent on to France, arriving on 29th June 1916.

The 55th Battalion served at Fromelle and Norman seems to have been one of very few who were uninjured.   Norman served on the Western Front until his death on 26th September 1917. At around 7am, while digging-in near Polygon Wood Norman was killed instantly by a shell.  He was buried at the time but the location of his grave has been lost.

Norman is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium.

Sources: 
NAA: B2455, DARK N