Norman Hipkins, born on 21st April 1892, was admitted to King Edward’s School in September 1909, having transferred from George Dixon School. His father, Herbert, was a provisions dealer, and the family lived at 191, High Street, Smethwick. Norman was one of nine children.
The School records reveal that Norman had an aptitude for science, but he achieved less well in languages. After School, he worked as a schoolmaster.
Norman enlisted as a Private Soldier in the London Scottish Regiment in 1914. By September 1915, he had gained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the South Staffordshire Regiment. In 1917, after two years in France, he was promoted to Acting Captain. In June 1918, the Uttoxeter Advertiser published an extract from a letter written by Captain Hipkins to his runner’s mother, Mrs Holmes, in which he conveyed his heartfelt sympathy “in the loss of your dear boy…may this letter bring a little sunshine into your home and assure you above all that your son was a good soldier.” Soon afterwards, on 28th September 1918, Norman was killed in action at St Quentin, and was mentioned in dispatches in December. He is buried in Bellicourt British Cemetery, France, and he left his estate of £249 to his father, who requested his son’s medals in September 1920.