Eddy Norris was born on 09 April,1944 at the family farm Devonshire in Umtali, Rhodesia. He was the fifth child of Charles and Violet Norris. Eddy attended both Chancellor Junior School and Umtali High School in Umtali.
Eddy commenced his national service in January 1963 with "B" Company, Intake 56 at Llewellin Barracks. During weapon training the NCO asked for volunteers from chaps with motor bike licenses. They were whisked off to CSM Lancaster offices, told that they had volunteered to ride motor bikes at the Military Tattoo which would be held at the Southern Rhodesian Trade Fair and that they had been immediately posted to Brady Barracks and the School of Signals.
National Service ended in May 63 and Eddy commenced duty with "B" Company of Royal Rhodesia Regiment in Umtali. The first call up being in June, for the Domboshawa Indaba and Eddy ended up in the Honde Valley as Platoon Signaler.
Eddy was on the parade when Umtali was afforded the Freedom of the City to their Battalion and hackles (white and blue feathers) were issued to all on parade. This was always a highlight of Eddy's military career.
Years later Eddy partook on the same type of Parade but this time when the Air Force were granted the Freedom of Salisbury.
Eddy joined the RRAF in 1968, and was posted to New Sarum. Eddy then moved to Gwelo and many happy years were afforded to the family at Thornhill Air Base. Eddy was promoted to WO2 during this time. When promoted to WO1 the family then moved back to Salisbury. Eddy ended his career at the RAF with the rank of WO1, in December of 1980.
Eddy and family moved to South Africa in January of 1981 and Eddy did a stint in the SAAF, posted to Hoedspruit Air Base. After resigning Eddy worked until retirement at Infoplan in Pretoria.
It was during retirement that Eddy with the nudge from Pete Briscoe started ORAFs - what a time it was! Eddy had a deep passion for his birth country and folk and with his computer abilities established a magnificent recapturing of firstly all Air Force history and memories and this then evolved into Umtali history and then the rest of Rhodesia. Eddy's patience and diligence made him a great source of information on all things Rhodesia.
This was as Eddy explained, my legacy to my children. I like to think that Eddy was one of the pioneers of ensuring our history be stored on the great big web for all to see and share in.
One of the gifts Eddy created was reuniting Rhodesians around the globe. Always ready to assist with folk writing books and such, all for the love of helping another Rhodesian.
Eddy achieved his life's wish of leaving a solid recount of history and folklore for future generations to read and learn about -
A grand gentle humble man, a teacher of life, giver of love and pillar of strength. Eddy passed away peacefully with his wife Trisha, sister Nina, and children Paul and Denise at his side on 03 April, 2014.
You will be missed Dad, more than you ever know.
Eddy leaves behind a very proud family - and an enormous pair of shoes to fill. Rest easy Dad.........
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