Norman Whiteoak was born on 1st August 1927 in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Upon leaving secondary school in 1943 he went into a local engineering company and undertook an apprenticeship. Norman was always involved with stripping machines and tinkering away with pedal cycles and later motor bicycles. This passion for motors carried on throughout his life.
At the end of his apprenticeship he went to Liverpool and signed up for the Merchant Navy which resulted in him being exempt for National Service. Voyages to South Africa and to the Far East were the most popular and he was privileged to witness the devastation in the bombed cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Eventually returning to East Lancashire Norman went back into engineering, working for Lucas Aerospace in the Burnley Area.
He married Dorothy in 1975 and they enjoyed travelling around the world. In 2003 they decided to up sticks and move to the Andalusia region of Spain where they built a property and thoroughly enjoyed the lifestyle. In early 2019 due to failing health they decided to return to the UK and settled in Barrowford.
Norman eventually found himself as a visitor to the Armed Forces Support Group at Holmefield House Annexe in Barrowford then became a valued member of the the Group and his company was enjoyed by all. RIP Norman ...