Sick Berth Attendant and County Commissioner Norman Pimblett OBE CStJ Royal Navy and St John
Norman Pimblett
The Man Norman Pimblett was born on Tuesday 19th May 1925, son of John, a Coal Miner and Mary Elizabeth nee Prescott in Newton-le-Willows, Haydock, Merseyside. He was one of three children, Thomas Edward (1920–2000) and Ellen L who died shortly after her birth in 1934.
When Norman was aged 10 the family moved to St Helens and whilst still at School in 1938 aged 13, he joined the St John Ambulance Brigade as a Cadet, becoming a member of their band and leaving school a year later.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939 he was involved with St John in helping to cover local amenities, including cinemas in case of casualties during Luftwaffe raids on Merseyside. He also began working in January 1940 aged 15, firstly for a local butcher before being employed by United Glass, where he remained until his retirement in 1990.
On 10th August 1943, now aged 18, Norman was called up for service in the Royal Navy and undertook his six weeks basic training at the Butlin’s Camp at Pwllheli in North Wales – HMS Glendower, during which he was ‘excused boots’ due to sensitive heels. Because of his St John training he then applied for and was accepted into the Sick Berth Branch as a Sick Berth Attendant, responsible for providing day-to-day healthcare and patient care on naval ships and in naval hospitals. (The Sick Berth branch of the Royal Navy was formed when a naval rating of “Sick Berth Attendant” was established in the 1830s). He was trained at Newton Abbott in war duties, medical aid and general nursing for six months, then posted to general nursing duties at Stonehouse Hospital, Plymouth in January 1944 working on the Officer’s block for a period, one of his patients being Major Frederick Joseph Ricketts RM, a composer who used the name of Kenneth J Alford and composed the Colonel Bogey March.
When Norman was aged 10 the family moved to St Helens and whilst still at School in 1938 aged 13, he joined the St John Ambulance Brigade as a Cadet, becoming a member of their band and leaving school a year later.
Following the outbreak of World War II on 3rd September 1939 he was involved with St John in helping to cover local amenities, including cinemas in case of casualties during Luftwaffe raids on Merseyside. He also began working in January 1940 aged 15, firstly for a local butcher before being employed by United Glass, where he remained until his retirement in 1990.
On 10th August 1943, now aged 18, Norman was called up for service in the Royal Navy and undertook his six weeks basic training at the Butlin’s Camp at Pwllheli in North Wales – HMS Glendower, during which he was ‘excused boots’ due to sensitive heels. Because of his St John training he then applied for and was accepted into the Sick Berth Branch as a Sick Berth Attendant, responsible for providing day-to-day healthcare and patient care on naval ships and in naval hospitals. (The Sick Berth branch of the Royal Navy was formed when a naval rating of “Sick Berth Attendant” was established in the 1830s). He was trained at Newton Abbott in war duties, medical aid and general nursing for six months, then posted to general nursing duties at Stonehouse Hospital, Plymouth in January 1944 working on the Officer’s block for a period, one of his patients being Major Frederick Joseph Ricketts RM, a composer who used the name of Kenneth J Alford and composed the Colonel Bogey March.
Commander of the Venerable Order of St John. Officer of the Mopst Excellent Order of the British Empire. 1939-45 Star. Burma Star 'Pacific'. France and Germany Star. Defence Medal. War Medal 1939-45. Service Medal of the Order of St John 5 silver gilt clasps.
Daily post 31st December 1988
Following further ‘field medical’ training, on 28th May 1944 Norman was posted to aboard HMS LST-423, (a United States Navy LST-1-class tank landing ship that was transferred to the Royal Navy during World War II. As with many of her class, the ship was never named. Instead, she was referred to by her hull designation.) in preparation for the Normandy Landings and to receive casualties. Following D-Day on 6th June LST-433 landed at Sword Beach and Norman particularly recalled the deafening noise of shells and firearms and the sheer number of ships involved including HMS Rodney and Roberts. He made a total of 14 trips back to Portsmouth carrying around 400 wounded men each time from various beaches in Northern France and taking American soldiers in on the return, his final journey to the UK included bringing back German Prisoners of War.
He returned to Stonehouse Hospital in August until January 1945 when he was transferred to an Aircraft Carrier, HMS Arbiter, seeing service in the Pacific, visiting Ceylon, India and Australia, witnessing several aircraft crashes on board. On leaving Australia to join the Pacific Fleet Train, Norman contracted a skin rash on both arms that couldn’t be treated on board and had to be bandaged from fingers to elbow for several weeks On arrival at Manua on the Admiralty Islands where the fleet was gathering in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan, Norman was invalided ashore and flown back to Australia for treatment for six to eight weeks at the Royal Naval Hospital, Sydney. Following his recovery he was taken on as staff where he finished his Naval Service, the war having ended on 15th August 1945.
Following the war he was awarded his 1939-45 Star, Burma Star with ‘Pacific’ clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Norman remained an active member of St John and returned to his pre-war job at United Glass working as a Clerk, later moving to the Ravenhead factory and becoming a Package Controller.
During the third quarter of 1948, aged 23 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Atkinson in St Luke’s Church, Eccleston St Helens, they had no children.
Norman rose through the ranks of the St John and was awarded his Service Medal in 1952, being promoted to Deputy County Commissioner for Merseyside and finally County Commissioner. He was awarded additional clasps to his Service Medal in 1957, 1962 and 1967, these then being replaced with a silver gilt clasp and further awards in 1972, 77 and 82.
In recognition of his service he was appointed as a Serving Brother of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem on 23rd May 1962, promoted to Officer on 15th May 1968 and finally Commander Brother, this appearing in the London Gazette of 18th December 1980 whilst he was Area Commissioner for St Helens and Knowsley. His citation read:
“He raised £20,000 towards the insurance claim for the loss of the St Helens HQ following fire due to vandalism, enabling the rebuilding of the HQ. He also obtained an ambulance through the Silver Jubilee Award Scheme. His leadership and dedication are of the highest order and warrant further recognition”.
This was followed in the New Years Honours list of 1989 with Norman being appointed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, attending his investiture at Buckingham Palace with Betty.
Norman and Betty lived at Marshalls Cross Road in St Helens and he passed away on 7th September 2001 aged 76 in St Helens and was buried at St. Helens Cemetery and Crematorium, Merseyside in Section 64 Plot 68, the grave of Esther and Joseph Atkinson, Elizabeth’s parents.
Following his death Elizabeth lived at 65, Grafton Street, and passed away seven years later in Whiston Hospital on 9th November 2008, aged 85. She was buried alongside Norman and her parents in the same plot.
He returned to Stonehouse Hospital in August until January 1945 when he was transferred to an Aircraft Carrier, HMS Arbiter, seeing service in the Pacific, visiting Ceylon, India and Australia, witnessing several aircraft crashes on board. On leaving Australia to join the Pacific Fleet Train, Norman contracted a skin rash on both arms that couldn’t be treated on board and had to be bandaged from fingers to elbow for several weeks On arrival at Manua on the Admiralty Islands where the fleet was gathering in preparation for the planned invasion of Japan, Norman was invalided ashore and flown back to Australia for treatment for six to eight weeks at the Royal Naval Hospital, Sydney. Following his recovery he was taken on as staff where he finished his Naval Service, the war having ended on 15th August 1945.
Following the war he was awarded his 1939-45 Star, Burma Star with ‘Pacific’ clasp, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Norman remained an active member of St John and returned to his pre-war job at United Glass working as a Clerk, later moving to the Ravenhead factory and becoming a Package Controller.
During the third quarter of 1948, aged 23 he married Elizabeth (Betty) Atkinson in St Luke’s Church, Eccleston St Helens, they had no children.
Norman rose through the ranks of the St John and was awarded his Service Medal in 1952, being promoted to Deputy County Commissioner for Merseyside and finally County Commissioner. He was awarded additional clasps to his Service Medal in 1957, 1962 and 1967, these then being replaced with a silver gilt clasp and further awards in 1972, 77 and 82.
In recognition of his service he was appointed as a Serving Brother of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem on 23rd May 1962, promoted to Officer on 15th May 1968 and finally Commander Brother, this appearing in the London Gazette of 18th December 1980 whilst he was Area Commissioner for St Helens and Knowsley. His citation read:
“He raised £20,000 towards the insurance claim for the loss of the St Helens HQ following fire due to vandalism, enabling the rebuilding of the HQ. He also obtained an ambulance through the Silver Jubilee Award Scheme. His leadership and dedication are of the highest order and warrant further recognition”.
This was followed in the New Years Honours list of 1989 with Norman being appointed as an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, attending his investiture at Buckingham Palace with Betty.
Norman and Betty lived at Marshalls Cross Road in St Helens and he passed away on 7th September 2001 aged 76 in St Helens and was buried at St. Helens Cemetery and Crematorium, Merseyside in Section 64 Plot 68, the grave of Esther and Joseph Atkinson, Elizabeth’s parents.
Following his death Elizabeth lived at 65, Grafton Street, and passed away seven years later in Whiston Hospital on 9th November 2008, aged 85. She was buried alongside Norman and her parents in the same plot.
Norman and Betty Pimblett at Buckingham Palace following the institure of his OBE. 1989.
Norman Pimblett's miniature medals.
St. Helens Cemetery and Crematorium, Merseyside.
The Story The medals awarded to Norman Pimblett were fist seen on E-Bay in October 2024 and of interest because of the unusual OBE, CStJ SMOStJ combination, but they were very overpriced. Communication was made with the seller and an offer made, but to no avail.
They reappeared on e-Bay in January 2025 and recognised straight away. A different seller but the price far more reasonable, they were bid upon and won, for a lesser price than the offer made to the charity selling them originally!
Because of the unusual name research was relatively straightforward with Ancestry, Newspaper Archives and the Museum of the Order of St John all proving very helpful.
Of particular interest is a recording made of Norman’s life held on the Imperial War Museum website, not only is it pleasing to hear his actual voice but to fill in many additional biographical details.
With Norman’s medals came his wife’s Elizabeth Pimblett’s Women’s Voluntary Service Medal and a brief biography was also completed on her.
They reappeared on e-Bay in January 2025 and recognised straight away. A different seller but the price far more reasonable, they were bid upon and won, for a lesser price than the offer made to the charity selling them originally!
Because of the unusual name research was relatively straightforward with Ancestry, Newspaper Archives and the Museum of the Order of St John all proving very helpful.
Of particular interest is a recording made of Norman’s life held on the Imperial War Museum website, not only is it pleasing to hear his actual voice but to fill in many additional biographical details.
With Norman’s medals came his wife’s Elizabeth Pimblett’s Women’s Voluntary Service Medal and a brief biography was also completed on her.
Medal Details:
- Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: Unnamed as awarded.
- Commander of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem: Unnamed as awarded.
- 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Burma Star 'Pacific': Unnamed as awarded.
- France and Germany Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45 Star: Unnamed as awarded.
- Service Medal of the Orderof St John: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 26 Apr 25
320
