Major Norman Allan Manchester, CD was born in 1919.

He enlisted with the Governor General Horse Guards at the age of 17 in 1936. In 1938 he was persuaded by John Strathy, Sr. to leave the GGHG and joined The Queen’s Own Rifles.

During WWII he trained in Borden and Newmarket, and was a corporal before taking his commissioning course in BC. He again served at Camp Borden in 1943 prior to being shipped to England.

Lieutenant Norm Manchester landed in France on D+3 as a replacement officer and became a platoon commander in D Company of the QOR in July 1944. He served through the remainder of the Normandy campaign and was wounded, first near La Capelle, and later, near Fort de la Creche, on 21 September 1944. He was hospitalized in England in a bed next to Lieutenant Jack Lake (wounded at Quesnay Wood) and the two men became life-long friends. He was mentioned in despatches for “gallant and distinguished service”.

After recuperation, Lieutenant Manchester rejoined the Regiment at Nijmegen at the end of 1944 and served with the QOR for the remainder of the war. He was promoted captain in 1945 and awarded the Erasmus Medal (for Freedom) by the Dutch government.

After his return to Canada in December 1945, Captain Manchester continued to serve with the Regiment. He gained his majority in 1949 and was Officer Commanding of one of the training companies. He retired from military service in 1950.

He was always proud of his association with the QOR and in 1959 served as President of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association. In February 2002 attended the Garrison Ball.

He died in 2002, predeceased by his wife and leaving three children and nine grandchildren.