George Thorneton-Norris was born in India where his Grandfather had moved to from Lanc. During the First World War he served in the Royal Flying Corps as pilot in 48 Squadron.
3rd October 1918 - While on a bombing run on Izegham led by
Capt. Cunninghame and Lt. Brunton 12 Fokkers approached them from the south. Thorneton-Norris was flying with his observer
Sgt R.L.G White in Bristol F2b serial E2534. The Enemy aircraft attacked them over Ingelmunster. Thorneton_Norris engaged a Fokker Biplane (white fuselage, black&white tail) and after White fired 50 rounds the Fokker burst into flames and went down. During this engagement
Capt Cunninghame claimed 2 Fokkers but unfortunately the F2b piloted by
2Lt J.B.Cowan went down in flames and he and his observer
Lt. L.N.Jones were reported Missing in Action.
Combat report #586 of 48 Squadron (PRO Air 1/1829/204/202/22)
25th October 1918 - Flying Bristol F2b serial E2534 with his observer
Sgt R.L.G White they were forced to land at Deerlyck at 2.45pm due to anti-aircraft fire. Both OK.
George became a bit of an inventor, especially in the field of Aviation and many patents in his name can be found.
Electric medical applianceFolding crib and the likeInstrument for indicating the operating time of vehicles and other devicesElectric foot massage applianceGeorge worked as an Aviation Salesman at Selfridges between the wars and also workd for Scholl in Clerkenwell inventing household items, such as the electric hot water bottle. George also built he own plane which he named Eileen after his wife.
He also had an article published in the magazine
Popular Science Monthly just before the war.
Detecting Leaks in Inner Tubes
by Means of Smoke
WHILE in India recently I entered a motorcycle contest, which was of the town-to-town type. It was from Calcutta to Gya, a distance of 300 miles, over roads which were covered with small, sharp-pointed stones, old shoes, nails and other things such as are to be found where there is bullock traffic of the eastern type, all of which are liable to make small punctures. Not being able to procure water to test my tubes and locate minute leaks, I took a pocketful of cigarettes along with me and found the following method a wonderful time and temper-saver as well as the only means of finding such punctures.
The defective tube is taken out and the valve removed. Then two or three mouthfuls of smoke are puffed into the tube, after which it is inflated as much as possible. The smoke will be seen to ooze out of any punctured place. The spot can then be sandpapered and dressed while the smoke is oozing out and locating the place for the repair patch. After the patch is applied the valve is again taken out to let the remainder of the smoke escape and the tube is ready for use again.
An obituary for George was published in
Flight and Aircraft Engineer Journal dated 29th February 1955
Well known to many customers of the aircraft division of the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Co., where he was a sales engineer for ten years, Mr. George Thorton-Norris died suddenly on Thursday, February 14th., at the early age of 55. Mr. Thorton-Norris, who served as an R.F.C. pilot in the First World War, leaves a widow and an eight-year-old son.
Thankyou you George's grandson Andrew Thorton-Norris for much of the information on this page.
Reminds me of my favorite photo of my Grandfather and his friend Sgt Francis Irvine
