NORMAN SYDNEY GEORGE LAST
Norman is remembered on the war memorial at the Town Hall, Ipswich.
Born: 4th April 1902, at 15, Holland Road, Ipswich.
Died: 26th June 1942; age: 39 – died at Military Hospital, Hilsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, from cellulitis of the forearm and pneumonia following a burn when frying eggs on the 17th June.
Inquest held: 28th June 1940.
Residence: 3, Medway Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Trolley Bus Conductor.
Based at Fort Southwick, Portsdown Hill, Portsmouth.
Rank: Corporal/Cook; Service Number: 1859173.
Regiment: Royal Engineers.
Grave Reference:
XH.5.227.
Ipswich.
CENSUS
1911 15, Holland Road, Ipswich.
Norman was 8 years old and living with his parents & paternal aunt.
George Last, 43, a Corporation Labourer – Town Council, born Badingham, Suffolk.
Rose Ann Last (nee Smith), 40, born Boyton, Suffolk.
Elizabeth Last, 42, a Cook & Housekeeper – Domestic, born Badingham.
1921 Victoria Barracks, Belfast, Ireland.
Norman was 19 years & 2 months old. He was ranked a Sapper for the Royal Engineers, 6th Fortress Company.
In 1921, his parents lived at the family home – 15, Holland Road, Ipswich.
George Last, 53 years & 8 months old, an Ipswich Corporation Labourer, Wolsey Street, Ipswich.
Rose Last, 50 years & 8 months old, Home Duties.
Norman’s brother, Allan Last Smith, died on Boxing Day, 1920, of Pulmonary Tuberculosis, at the Ipswich Borough Fever Hospital, aged 22 years.
In 1930, Ipswich, Norman married Sybil Gertrude Maud West, born November 1909, Ipswich – daughter of Walter William West, a labourer for a lawn mower maker, and Minnie Etta West (nee Keeble), of 68, Reynolds Road, Ipswich.
Sybil and Norman had three sons:
Dennis N. Last, born 1932, Ipswich.
Barry Raymond Last, born 1933, Ipswich.
One other.
ENGLAND & WALES REGISTER 1939
Norman’s wife and sons were living at the home of his widowed mother-in-law at the West family home – 68, Reynolds Road, Ipswich.
Minnie, unpaid Domestic Duties, born July 1883.
Iris Marjorie West, a Shop Assistant – Grocery, born 8th May 1920.
Sybil Last and her three sons.
Probate to Leslie Jessup, a House Decorator, of 42, Tuddenham Avenue, Ipswich.
Portsmouth Evening News – 28th June 1940
ARMY COOK’S DEATH AFTER BURN
The death of a soldier cook after he had been burned on the left wrist by splashes of cooking fat was investigated by the Portsmouth City Coroner (Mr. P.H. Childs) at the Guildhall today.
The cook was Cpl. Norman Sidney George Last (39), of Medway Road, Ipswich, who was stationed near Cosham.
A verdict of “Accidental death from cellulitis of the forearm and pneumonia following the burn” was returned.
Sergt. Cook Arthur Lee said that Last had served under him. Last was frying some eggs on June 17 and fat splashed on his arm. After treatment, he was later removed to the military hospital.
Evidence of Last’s condition slowly deteriorating despite treatment was given by Lieut. McCartney, R.A.M.C.
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