Norman Percy Lealand was born 23 July 1908 and was the son of Percy and Francis Lealand. After leaving school, he worked as a clerk in various New Plymouth businesses including the Taranaki Harbour Board and the Taranaki Herald and was involved with many community organisations such as the Star Rugby Club and the Taranaki Alpine Club.
On 20 February 1935 he married Josphine Evans and they had two daughters.
On the outbreak of World War Two he enlisted in the army but spent the first two years of service in New Zealand. He was eventually sent to serve with the 22nd (Motor) Battalion in Egypt. His battalion served through heavy fighting that took place from the south of Italy to north of Florence.
He was killed on 22 October 1944 by sniper fire while being transported to a casualty clearing station. He was buried in Ravenna War Cemetery, Italy. He was 35 and was survived by his wife Josephine and his daughters.
Josephine also lost two brothers during the war; Mervyn on 24 July 1941 and Llewellyn on 18 December 1942 in Libya.
Books
Lest We Forget, Jack West, p.219
Please do not reproduce these images without permission from Puke Ariki.
Contact us for more information or you can order images online here.
