Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Norman Henry Booth, aged 25, and his parents, Henry & Alice Booth, arrived in Wooroolin about 1908 when he purchased Portions 249 and 250. His brother, Reginald, was in the Merchant Navy working from many ports around Australia and New Zealand.
The Qld electoral for 1913 and 1915 show Norman as a resident farmer at Wooroolin but when he joined the Army his occupation is noted as “Seaman” and he joined at Melbourne on 15 Mar 1915 the same day as his brother. It seems he was a seaman as well as a farm owner but the farm probably run by his father and mother. Norman H Booth is listed as a crew member on many ships during the years of 1904 and 1905 around the Australian Coast and was probably doing so right up to 1915 but records not yet available.
The electoral rolls show his parents living at Wooroolin until 1926 but 1 year later Mrs Booth died in Newtown, NSW and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery where her husband joined her 11 years later. An article in the Courier Mail of 1938 reports his death and mentions that he was formerly of Wooroolin. Unfortunately I have not found any newspaper articles about their life at Wooroolin.
At the 2021 Anzac Day Service at Wooroolin Elizabeth Caffery mentioned the Booth brothers in her speech. “Norman and Reginald Booth enlisted on the same day in March 1915. Both were in their thirties and both were sappers, essential to the running of the war in the construction of trenches, tunnels, temporary roads and bridges to ensure movement of troops, supply transports and artillery. Reginald died from a war related illness before the war was over. Norman went on to give gallant service in The Somme, France, accumulating an exemplary war record with outstanding devotion to duty in the field. It came to an end in July 1918 when he stood on a mine, his injuries so severe both his legs were amputated.
Norman was mentioned in Despatches on 27 Sep 1917 for his dedication in getting supplies to the front.
On his return, Norman married local girl, Alice Horrobin, and lived in Kingaroy where his courageous and fighting spirit won the admiration of all who knew him. Relying on his wooden legs and his trusty Indian motorcycle for mobility, he let no obstacle thwart his involvement in community affairs especially his dedication to the local RSL.”
After his marriage, Norman lived at Mary St Kingaroy and worked as a clerk for the Kingaroy Shire Council. He was involved in many community affairs including the Kingaroy Hospital, Kingaroy Show Society, RSLLIA and was also a Masonic Lodge Member.
In 1922 Norman Booth laid the foundation stone for the Kingaroy Memorial Rotunda and there are many articles in newspapers about him and the RSL as well as talks at the Kingaroy School and Wooroolin Anzac Day services.
In 1936 there was an “incident” reported at the Kingaroy Shire Council between Norman Booth and Mr HA Hull. Both clerks resigned from the Council.
In 1937 Norman bought a Newsagency business at Scarborough St, Southport and there is a wonderful article in the Courier Mail of 5 Apr reporting on his journey by invalid motor cycle from Kingaroy to Southport.
Norman died in 1969 at Kingaroy per the South Burnett Council WW1 directory and was buried at Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens where he joined his wife who died 8 years prior.
Lest We Forget

Elizabeth Caffrey spoke at the Wooroolin Anzac day service in 2021. This is ab extract from her speech.
Norman and Reginald Booth enlisted on the same day in March 1915. Both were in their thirties and both were sappers, essential to the running of the war in the construction of trenches, tunnels, temporary roads and bridges to ensure movement of troops, supply transports and artillery.
Reginald died from a war related illness before the war was over. Norman went on to give gallant service in The Somme, France, accumulating an exemplary war record with outstanding devotion to duty in the field. It came to an end in July 1918 when he stood on a mine, his injuries so severe both his legs were amputated.
On his return, Norman married local girl, Alice Horrobin, and lived in Kingaroy where his courageous and fighting spirit won the admiration of all who knew him. Relying on his wooden legs and his trusty Indian motorcycle for mobility, he let no obstacle thwart his involvement in community affairs especially his dedication to the local RSL.
Lest We Forget