By Students from George Dixon Academy
Norman Augustus Finch was a soldier born in Handsworth, Birmingham on the 26th of December 1890. He had two sisters Ellen and Daisy and 3 brothers named Harold, Edgar and George. He was married to Elizabeth Riss in 1919.
He is one of the only 10 soldiers in Birmingham to be awarded the Victoria Cross in World War 1, the best award in the country. He joined the Royal Marines on the 15th of January 1908, when he was 17. He became a sergeant during his time in the Marines. After training Norman Augustus Finch served on various ships for the next four years. In 1921 they had a son Jack who later lived in Portsmouth.
The first record we have of Norman Finch living in Portsmouth is 1920 when he seems to have been in Lawrence Road, Southsea. By 1960 he was living at 30 Chelsea Road, which is the last known address before he died in 1966 at St Mary’s Hospital. Norman Augustus Finch’s medal is now at the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Hampshire as he himself rests at Port Chester Crematorium, Hampshire.
Where did he grow up?
Norman grew up in Handsworth during the 1890s, when Handsworth was considerably different compared to what it is today. The population of Handsworth in 1891 was estimated to be around 45,000, which is about half of what the population is today. It was mainly a working-class area and the district became an Urban District under the Local Government Act of 1888. Handsworth was amalgamated with the City of Birmingham in 1911.
What school did he go to?
Norman Augustus Finch went to Benson County Primary School in Hockley, Birmingham. The school officially opened in 1888 for boys, girls and infant children. In 1894, this school opened its first class in Birmingham. The name of the school was changed to Benson Road board school in 1895. Some accommodation was provided in the Ninevah Wesleyan Chapel (also called the Benson Road Temporary Council School). In 1930, the school was reorganised as an Infant and Junior School but separate facilities were created for infants and junior in 1932. In 1976, the school got closed down and got replaced by a newly secured Benson Junior and Infant School, which was occupied by the same premises.
Where did he win the VC?
Norman Finch won his VC at Zeebrugge in Belgium. The Zeebrugge raid was originally proposed by British First Sea Lord, Sir John Jellicoe, shortly before his abrupt dismissal at the close of 1917. Jellicoe gained acceptance of an attack in principle – actually formulated by Dover port commander Sir Roger Keyes.
The Royal Navy wanted to block the port of Zeebrugge by sinking old ships in the canal entrance to stop the Germans using it as a base for their U-Boats. At the time they built it the harbour was the biggest man- made harbour in the world. Two ‘blockships’ were sunk in the narrowest bit of the Bruges Canal and a submarine rammed a viaduct to trap the Germans.
Sergeant Finch was second in command of the Lewis gun in the foretop of HMS Vindictive. At one period HMS Vindictive was being hit every few seconds, but Sergeant Finch and the officer in command kept up a continuous fire, until two heavy shells made direct hits on the foretop killing or disabling everyone except Sergeant Finch who was, severely wounded. He remained in his exposed position, harassing the enemy on the Mole until the foretop received another direct hit, putting the remainder of the armament completely out of action. His award was by virtue of ballot. The medal is at the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea, Hampshire. Keyes was knighted after the raid, and 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded. The Germans made a new channel around the two ships and within two days, their submarines were able to transit Zeebrugge.
Why was he awarded the VC?
He gained his Victoria Cross due to actions on 22-23 April 1918 aboard the HMS Vindictive. He and his team tried to defend against enemy fire, but unfortunately the ship was eventually destroyed. Sergeant Finch was second in command under lieutenant Charles N.B. Rigby. Their guns weren’t the ones that were doing the most damage but Lieutenant Rigby, Sergeant Finch and the marines kept each other going with continuous fire with Lewis guns. This kept the enemy’s fire down. Unfortunately, two heavy shells made a direct hit on the foretop. Everyone who was in the top were either killed or disabled, except for Sergeant Finch who was severely wounded. Even though he was wounded he showed great bravery remaining in his battered and exposed position. Once again, he picked up the Lewis gun, and started shooting rapidly, until the foretop got another direct hit putting the rest of the armament out of action. Before the top had been destroyed Sergeant, Finch had done vital work and his bravery undoubtedly saved many lives. He was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1918, not long after the events at Zeebrugge. This very heroic sergeant of the Royal Marine Artillery was selected by the 4th Battalion of Royal Marines, that was mostly Royal Marine Light Infantry, to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated 29th January 1856. He achieved the medal on the 23rd April 1918, Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Norman Augustus Finch is a true hero in the military . Finch retired from the Royal Marines as a Quartermaster Sergeant in 1929. During the Second World War, he rejoined at age 49 and served as a Storekeeper Officer Lieutenant until 1945.His Victoria Cross is on display at the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney Barracks, Southsea.
