Norman Henry Clutterbuck (1890-1973) served during World War I in the No 1 Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, aka 1st Australian Flying Squadron. He had enlisted on 10 July 1915 (service no.115) while a 25-year-old chauffeur. His mother, H. G. Clutterbuck, his next of kin, lived at 77 Noble St, Chilwell, Geelong.

Norman served in the No 1 Squadron, in the Middle East, and on 5 July 1916 was appointed photographer. Over the course of the war, he variously served with the Australian Flying Corps 5th Wing (6/6/1916-?), the 40th Wing Headquarters (20/4/1918-17/8/1918), 113th Squadron, RAF (17/8/1918-26/8/1918) and Headquarters, 40th Wing, RAF (3/10/1918-?). He was Mentioned in Despatches while an Air Mechanic 1st Class - Date of Commonwealth of Australia Gazette: 1 April 1920. The reason for his MID is not elaborated in the London Gazette. He was promoted to corporal by the end of the war.

Museums Victoria holds two photograph albums and several additional photographs which were probably taken by Norman Henry Clutterbuck (and/or fellow Australian Flying Corps photographers) during World War I. They were donated by his maternal nephew, Ray Kerby, to the RSL, and transferred to Museums Victoria in 1987. The albums are numbered ST 041220 and ST 041221. The relationship between the donor and Norman Henry Clutterbuck was established on the basis of the donor being Raymond Victor Kerby, son of Doris Amy Kerby (nee Clutterbuck) and Alfred Victor Kerby. Doris was Norman Clutterbuck's sister.

Norman's work as a photographer in the Middle East during World War I is documented in several photographs held at the Australian War Memorial, which depict him with other servicemen outside an 'Australian darkroom made from packing case of a Martinsyde aircraft, converted into a two-section darkroom, the rear end for developing and printing, and the front for washing, glazing, etc.' The darkroom was mounted on a truck for removal to railheads when the team moved to new aerodromes (Ref: P00588.028, P00588.007 and P00589.003). Norman is also shown in silhouette in Christmas card P00588.001.

After World War I Norman re-enlisted on 31 Mar 1921, and during World War II became a Flying Officer and instructor at Point Cook, Victoria. The Australian War Memorial holds a World War II photograph including Norman (P10364.021): 'Group portrait of No. 1 Advanced Photographers' Course, No. 1 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Point Cook.' Flying Officer Norman Henry Clutterbuck is named in the photograph as an instructor who 'served as an Australian Flying Corps photographer in the First World War'. He and the others in the photograph have autographed the photograph. (See also P10364.022: Autographed collage of photographs and drawings produced by participants in the No. 1 Advanced Photographers' Course, No. 1 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), Point Cook. The man in mortar is Norman Clutterbuck.)

Norman was finally discharged from service on 9 Feb 1950, at the rank of Flight Lieutenant (service no. O3399).

Alfred Victor Kerby's brother, Raymond Ford Kerby (1896-1933), also served in World War I (service no. 21998). He served in the 29th Howitzer Brigade. He was killed in a workplace accident in 1933.

References

World War II Nominal Roll

Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages records
Service records, Norman Henry Clutterbuck, National Archives of Australia
Australian War Memorial photographic collection
Ancestry - family trees harris foan 1

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