Norman Shepherd

Born in Auckland in 1896, Norman Shepherd came to the Wairarapa about 1905 when his mother and step-father moved to the Clareville area. Norman attended Clareville School and had his first taste of military life in the school cadets. He was keen enough to try for a territorial commission in 1913 but was too young.

Norman trained as a compositor with Carterton publishing company Roydhouse. He was also a junior member of the Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Norman enlisted in 1915, joining the Mounted Rifles, service number 9/1488. After training at Tauherenikau Camp he departed with the 7^th Reinforcement in October 1915. He arrived in Egypt for further training, just as the Gallipoli Campaign concluded. His life in the active zone was to be brief : Norman caught rheumatic fever and after a spell in hospital was shipped back to New Zealand, unfit for overseas service. This was confirmed by a medical board on arrival in New Zealand.

He was able to continue his military interests as a home serviceman, working at Featherston Military camp until war’s end. He became a clerk in the commandant’s headquarters, rising to staff-sergeant by the time he was discharged.

After the war Norman worked briefly in Masterton as a compositor before moving to Featherston as a reporter for the Wairarapa Standard. In the 1920s he became a professional secretary and agent, representing local organisations such as the Automobile Association, Wairarapa Racing Club and the new Wairarapa Electric Power Board.  He married Evelyn Devereux in 1921; the couple having two children. Norman became a Featherston Borough councillor and was deputy-mayor. He remained a keen shooter throughout his life.

He also served in the 5^th Independent Mounted Rifles, a south Wairarapa unit, in World War Two.

Norman died in 1976 and is buried at Featherston Cemetery.