Norman Howard Anstis was born in New Plymouth on 27 July 1917, the second son of farmer William Gordon Anstis (1888-1959) and Catherine Mylcrest Anstis (nee Quayle) (1890-1960).
His father William fought in the Great War, leaving for Europe just a few weeks after Norman was born.
Norman was working as a porter in Wellington when he enlisted in the Second World War, serving as a Sapper with the 17th Railway Operating Company of NZ Engineers.
Norman’s older brother Wilfred Gordon Anstis (1916-1999) was a Sergeant with the Royal New Zealand Airforce. He was evacuated from Singapore in 1942 when it was captured by the Japanese, returning to overseas service after a visit home.
Norman married Lola Jean Harding (1919-2013) in 1948 and the couple had four children: Kevin, Colleen, Gary and Hazel. He worked as a builder and carpenter in New Plymouth, where he lived for the rest of his life.
Norman Anstis died on 9 April 1997 at the age of 79 and his ashes are buried at Awanui Cemetery.
Auckland Museum Online Cenotaph
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