Private Norman Cato

24 Mar 1945

Norman Cato was the son of Walter and Emma (Butwell) Cato, of Oxford; husband of Florence Ruth (Kinnett) Cato. Married July 1936 in Oxford. He enlisted in the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry and volunteered for airborne forces.

His birth is shown on the 1911 Census as 1910, and 1st Quarter 1910 on the Woodstock, Oxford, birth registration records, but according to the CWGC records he was 27 when he was killed in action?

Private Cato successfully completed glider training and was posted to 2nd (Airborne) Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, and took part in operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Cato was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 35, and was given a field burial at Hamminkeln and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery on 18 April 1947.

If you are part of Pte Cato’s family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the Curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form.

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By Rod Gibson

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Service History

Latest Comments

Karen Badger said:
Hello, i have some information on Norman Cato, he is on the 1939 register, i think that he may have added a couple of years to his age. maybe to hide that he was considered under age at the time he was married. 1939 register
Norman Cato born 10 May 1917 Male Cellulose Polisher Married
Florence R Allen (Cato) born 20 Jul 1914 Female Unpaid Domestic Duties Married 1
Gwendoline C Kinnett born18 Nov 1919 Female Press Machinist (Steel) Single.
Norman Cato is the son of William Henry Cato and Edith Jessie Palmer. William and Edith were married 2Qtr 1920 Woodstock district. Norman was born 2Qtr1919 Woodstock district as Norman Cato Palmer. He is on the 1921 census as Norman Cato Palmer living with his mother and Grandfather Palmer, the 1921 census was taken on 19 June 1921 Norman is said to be 2years and 1 month old. Something to think abou.t Regards Karen
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