Major Norman Dundas Perry born 5 December 1878 in St Thomas, Ontario. Father James Black Perry (1845-1936) mother Euphemia Dickie (1847-1930). Predeceased by his brother James Roy Perry B.A. (1874-1902), younger brother Gordon Foxbar Perry (1882-1964), younger sisters Mary Dickie (Canfield) Perry (1877-1968) and also Marjorie Carlyle (Pellatt) Perry (1888-1974).
Attestment of Captain Norman Dundas Perry
A broker with 12 years previous experience in the 48th Highlanders, Perry attested 13 November 1914 in Toronto, aged 35 years and 11 months, witness LtCol John McLaren. Stood 5′ 10″ tall, 180 pounds with fair complexion, gray eyes and fair hair, also asScar (slight) left shin inside just below knee.
48th Highlanders
On 28 October 1914, Perry, formerly a serving Officer in the Non-Permanent Active Militia of Canada, mobilized for Active Service with the 48th Highlanders with the rank of Captain. Captain Norman Dundas Perry transferred to CEF later on 12 November 1914, attested in the 19th Battalion, CEF with the rank of Major.
19th Battalion
Major Norman Dundas Perry embarked for England on 14 May 1915.
Major Norman Dundas Perry attached to the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade for duty later on 15 September 1915. Before the end of the month, Major Norman Dundas Perry ToS by the 36th Reserve Battalion on 24 September 1915. Finally, transferred to the DRO at Shorncliffe to be Officer in charge of War Medals.
Major Perry attached to Bramshott Camp for duty later on 6 November 1915.
To France
Major Norman Perry proceeded overseas on Instructional duty 17 December 1915, and attached to the 19th Battalion while in France, later returning to England on 1 January 1916.
Major Perry attached to the Canadian Training Center, Bramshott, as General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade later on 10 January 1916. The following day, ToS by the Headquarters in Bramshott.
Posted to the General List on 1 April 1916, Major Perry later assumes the duties of Acting Staff Captain, 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade on 12 May 1916.
11th Canadian Infantry Brigade
Return to France
Staff Captain Perry proceeded to France with the 11th Canadian Infantry Brigade later on 11 August 1916.
Major Norman Dundas Perry transferred to the 73rd Battalion on 4 November 1916, also to be Temporary Major on ceasing to hold appointment of Staff Captain, 11th CIB on 5 November 1916.
73rd Battalion
On 3 January 1917, Major Perry appointed General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade, 4th Canadian Division, and also to be seconded whilst holding appointment.
Major Perry transferred to 13th Battalion, remaining seconded to 4th Canadian Division later on 19 April 1917.
13th Battalion
On 24 July 1917, Major Perry transferred to 15th Battalion, also remaining seconded to 4th Canadian Division.
15th Battalion
On 4 December 1917, Perry to be Brigade Major attached to Headquarters Units.
10th Canadian Infantry Brigade
To be Brigade Major, 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 14 December 1917, and later Awarded the DSO, Mentioned in Despatches of Sir Douglas Haig on 7 April 1918, London Gazette No 30716, dated 3 June 1918.
Finally, on 26 February 1919, Major Norman Dundas Perry posted to General Staff (London Gazette No 31335).
Return to England
Major Norman Dundas Perry proceeded to England on 26 April 1919, and later on 14 June 1919 Perry again appointed to the General Staff. Finally, to be Temp Lt Col (1 COR), 14 June 1919 (London Gazette No 31500).
Return to Canada
Lt Col Normand Dundas Perry DSO SoS on transfer to CEF in Canada, 14 June 1919, later disembarking in Halifax on 20 June 1919.
Sir Edward and Lady Kemp of Toronto have sent out invitation to the marriage of their daughter Alice Irene Waldie to Lieut. Col. Norman Dundas Perry DSO to take place at St. Simon’s Church on Wednesday afternoon October 11th at halfpast three o’clock. The Bride elect is a sister of Mrs. A B Colville of Montreal.
At half past three o’clock yesterday afternoon at St. Simon’s Church Toronto Ont the marriage took place quietly of Alice Irene Waldie, eldest daughter of Sir Edward and Lady Kemp to Lieut. Col. Norman Perry DSO . The service was taken by the Rev Mr. Brewin in the presence of the immediate friends and relatives. The bride who was brought in and given away by her father wore a gown of orchid georgette embroidered with pearls with a hat of orchid metal cloth and plumes and she carried a bouquet of lilies of the valley and orchids. The bride was unattended, Mr. Gordon Perry was his brother’s best man The ushers were Lieut. Col. Reginald Pellatt, Mr. Godfrey Sprague Mr. R K Marshall and Mr. A H C Proctor. After the ceremony the bridal party and guests motored to Castle Frank where Sir Edward and Lady Kemp held a reception. The latter wearing grey georgette and black hat with paradise plume Colonel and Mrs. Perry left later to spend their honeymoon at Virginia Hot Springs. the bride wearing over her gown a moleskin wrap and her hat was of brown.
Honours and Awards
In addition to the DSO, Perry three times Mentioned in Despatches during the Great War.
Death of Lt Col Norman Dundas Perry DSO
Lt Col Norman Dundas Perry DSO died in Toronto on 6 December 1934.
Cause of death – shooting, later buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto.
Norman Perry’s body found below bridge. Shot Twice Through Head-East York Coroner Says Inquest Improbable. Shot twice through the head with an army service pistol, the body of Col. Norman Perry, financier. York Mills Rd., was found under the Woodbine bridge, East York. Coroner Dr. C. E. McLean, East York, stated that Col. Perry had apparently taken his own life and that an inquest was not probable. Coroner Dr. McLean and police deduced that Col. Perry had sat on the edge of the bridge before firing the shots.
Original Toronto Star caption
Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto
There are 231 casualties of the Great War and the Second World War at Toronto (Mount Pleasant) Cemetery. Lt Col Norman Dundas Perry DSO buried in the Perry family plot.
