The Harold F. Norris Award is the newest award created by the Foundation to honor civilian individuals who provided significant contributions or acts of selfless service in support of American military units and airmen serving in the air war in World War II. This award is named in honor of Staff Sergeant Harold F. Norris who served as tail gunner on the 381st Bomb Group’s Flying Fortress Dry Gulcher. Sergeant Norris was killed on August 4, 1944, shortly after takeoff from Ridgewell Air Field, when his plane caught fire and crashed into the village of Shalford. The rest of his crew parachuted into the village grounds and survived. His legacy of service and his memory continues to live on in the hearts and minds of all those who value his sacrifice that helped defeat the forces of evil and secure the victory in World War II. Today he lies forever beneath a field of green at Cambridge American Cemetery.
UPDATE: The Norris Award presentation at Shalford village was originally scheduled several times during the pandemic, but each time world conditions proved impossible to proceed. The Foundation is happy to report that the presentation is now scheduled for September 10th. The program details can be found in the latest Norris Award newsletter posted below.
Harold F. Norris Award Program
September 10, 2022
Shalford Village, County Essex, UK
August 4, 2022
News About The Harold Frank Norris Award
At this writing, it has been 78 years ago today that the Dry Gulcher appeared on fire over the village of Shalford in County Essex in England. Events would move swiftly as nine of the crew bailed out and began landing in various places in the village. Only the tail gunner, Harold F. Norris was lost that day. It is fitting that the announcement for the first three Norris Awards goes out today–three presentations that will take place in Shalford Village on September 10, 2022.
The Old Primero Historical Foundation is pleased to announce that the Norris Honors for Sybil Morgan, Albert W. Tarbin, and Peter Morgan at Shalford Village Hall has been rescheduled for Saturday, September 10, 2022. More program details will be announced in the next newsletter on June 1st. The event has previously been post-poned twice due to the pandemic.
The Harold F. Norris Award is the newest award created by the Foundation to honor civilian individuals who provided significant contributions or acts of selfless service in support of American military units and airmen serving in the air war in World War II. This award is named in honor of Staff Sergeant Harold F. Norris who served as tail gunner on the 381st Bomb Group’s Flying Fortress Dry Gulcher. Sergeant Norris was killed on August 4, 1944, shortly after takeoff from Ridgewell Air Field, when his plane caught fire and crashed into the village of Shalford. The rest of his crew safely parachuted into the village grounds and survived. His legacy of service and his memory continues to live on in the hearts and minds of all those who value his sacrifice that helped defeat the forces of evil and secure the victory in World War II. Today he lies forever beneath a field of green at Cambridge American Cemetery. The first three Norris Awards will be presented posthumously to the families of the three honorees on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
Artist design for the for the face of the Norris Medal
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2022
CONTACT:
Dr. Vernon L. Williams, President
Cell: 1-325-280-3399
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ophfoundation.org
The East Anglia Air War Project and the Old Primero Historical Foundation Announces Three Norris Award Honorees
The East Anglia Air War Project and the Old Primero Historical Foundation are pleased to announce that the first three honorees (posthumous) of the Harold F. Norris Award will be Sybil Morgan, Albert W. Tarbin, and Peter Morgan, all residents of Shalford in Essex during World War II.
The Harold F. Norris Award is the newest award created by the Foundation to honor civilian individuals who provided significant contributions or acts of selfless service in support of American military units and airmen serving in the air war in World War II. This award is named in honor of Staff Sergeant Harold F. Norris who served as tail gunner on the 381st Bomb Group’s Flying Fortress Dry Gulcher. Sergeant Norris was killed on August 4, 1944, shortly after takeoff from Ridgewell Air Field, when his plane caught fire and crashed into the village of Shalford. The rest of his crew parachuted into the village grounds and survived. His legacy of service and his memory continues to live on in the hearts and minds of all those who value his sacrifice that helped defeat the forces of evil and secure the victory in World War II. Today he lies forever beneath a field of green at Cambridge American Cemetery. The first three Norris Awards will be presented posthumously to the families of the three honorees on Saturday, September 10, 2022.
A Memorial Service, three Norris award presentations, and the British premiere for the remastered edition of the documentary, Dry Gulcher Down, are scheduled for September 10, 2022
We are so grateful to the Shalford History Committee for hosting the September 10th events that include the Memorial Service at the Dry Gulcher Memorial in the morning, and later that evening, the presentations of the Norris Medal to the families of the honorees. The tentative schedule for the day’s events are as follows:
10.30 am at the Dry Gulcher Memorial, St Andrew’s Church, Shalford: The planned program will include:
- A Color Guard will present the British and American colors
- Opening Welcome – Rector, Parish Church of St. Andrew and Shalford History Committee
- Takeoff, August 4, 1944 – Brief story from takeoff to crash at Shalford
- The Crew – Ten Shalford school children will read the names of the crew and what happened to them at Shalford
- Laying of the Wreath
- Outward Bound, An Air War Poem will be read by a Shalford student
- Message of Remembrance by the Rector, Parish Church of St. Andrew
- Dry Gulcher Family Response
- Closing
7 pm Norris Award Program at the Shalford Village Hall: The planned program will include:
- Welcome – Shalford Local History Association
- This Day in History – Shalford Local History Association August 4, 1944
- Introduction of Presenter – Shalford Local History Association
- Presentations of the Norris Award – 1) Sybil Morgan – Posthumously presented to the Morgan family 2) Albert W. Tarbin – Posthumously presented to the Tarbin family 3) Peter Morgan – Posthumously presented to the Morgan family
- British Premiere – Dry Gulcher Down: A B-17’s Fiery End Over Shalford Village, A newly, remastered widescreen version of this documentary film
- Presentation of copies of Dry Gulcher Down film by the Old Primero Historical Foundation 1) Shalford Schools, 2) Shalford Library, 3) Shalford Local History Association, 4) Braintree Museum, 5) Wethersfield Museum Project
- View the Photograph Exhibits
- Refreshments
The Norris Award presentations on September 10, 2022 at Shalford village in England
The Old Primero Historical Foundation has announced that three Norris awards will be presented on September 10, 2022 at Shalford village in England.
Sybil Morgan, (posthumous)
For her heroic rescue attempt in endeavouring to enter a burning Fortress, in spite of bombs and ammunition exploding in the fiery wreckage of the Dry Gulcher at Shalford Village, Essex, UK. In hopes to provide assistance to the air crew, Sybil Morgan ran into the smokey debris, despite great risk to herself and a total disregard for her own safety. The people of the United States are grateful for her efforts and will forever remember her actions in support of the Cupernall crew on that desperate day on August 4, 1944.
Albert W. Tarbin, (posthumous)
For his heroic rescue attempt in endeavouring to enter a burning Fortress, in spite of bombs and ammunition exploding in the fiery wreckage of the Dry Gulcher at Shalford Village, Essex, UK. In hopes to provide assistance to the air crew, Albert W. Tarbin ran into the smokey debris, despite great risk to himself and a total disregard for his own safety. The people of the United States are grateful for his efforts and will forever remember his actions in support of the Cupernall crew on that desperate day on August 4, 1944.
Peter Morgan, (posthumous)
For his assistance in the production of the documentary film, Dry Gulcher Down, and for his important contribution to the historical record of this significant World War II event in Shalford Village. Peter Morgan is responsible for the preservation of the history of events that transpired during the morning hours of August 4, 1944. His knowledge and his formal oral history interview were important components in revealing what happened on the ground when the aircraft appeared overhead on fire and in distress. His account led to important new knowledge that has been added to the archives of the Dry Gulcher.
Keep pace with current news about the Norris Award and other work with the East Anglia Air War Project with regular visits to the Old Primero Historical Foundation website.
Please consider a donation to the Old Primero Historical Foundation.
OPHF is a 501 (c)3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Website: www.ophfoundation.org
Email: [email protected]
(325) 280-3399
Old Primero Historical Foundation
1617 Morrow Lane
Abilene, Texas 79601 USA
