Clout, Norman Charles Herbert, 1922-1941

Clout, Norman Charles Herbert, brother of Colin Herbert Clout (qv); b. 23 Nov. 1922; adm. Sept. 1935 (A); left July 1940; RAFVR 23 Nov. 1940, Hullavington fighter training sch. May 1941; d. of injuries in a flying accident 22 Aug. 1941.

Norman Charles Herbert Clout was born at Bromley, Kent on the 23rd of November 1922 the third and youngest son of Major Charles William Clout, London Regiment and General Staff, and Mary Ellen (nee Weekes) Clout of Camden Ridge, Chislehurst in Kent, later of 44, Montrose Avenue, Sidcup in Kent. He was educated at Westminster School where he was up Ashburnham from September 1935 to July 1940.
He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on the 23rd of November 1940 and was posted to No. 9 Flying Training School based at RAF Hullavington for pilot training in May 1941.
Norman Clout took off from in Hurricane Mk I N2402 on the 21st of August 1941 for a solo training flight. At the time he had accumulated a total of 65.55 hours of solo flying time, of which 8.25 hours were on Hurricanes.
Having completed the exercise he was diverted to RAF Shawbury, possibly due to poor weather. When he arrived over the airfield at 5.30pm he made a circuit before approaching the runway to land. On landing he overshot the landing point and touched down three quarters of the way down the runway where the aircraft bounced into the air, most probably because he had applied the brakes. The aircraft skidded along the ground and turned over onto its back causing extensive damage to the fuselage, fins and rudder.
He was taken to the Royal Salop Hospital at Shrewsbury suffering from concussion and fractures to the third and fourth cervical bones in his neck. He had paraplegia in both of his arms and legs. He was transferred to the Royal Air Force Hospital, Cosford where he died from his injuries the following day.
His mother received the following telegram dated the 22nd of August 1941: - “Regret to inform you that your son 1330092 LAC Norman Charles Clout died in RAF Hospital Cosford near Wolverhampton on 22/8/41 as result of a flying accident on evening of 21/8/41 and tender deepest sympathy. Should you desire a private funeral coffin will be sent to railway station nearest your home, date and time of arrival being notified to you by telegram later, otherwise service funeral will be held at Cosford. If you desire to attend and cannot afford expenses one railway warrant will be issued on presentation of this telegram at the nearest police station. Please telegraph your decision as soon as possible. Your son Lieutenant C.H. Clout at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, is being informed by me. Flying Officer L. H. Spencer”
His funeral took place on the 27th of August 1941.
He is buried at Chislehurst Cemetery Section A, Grave 2190.

Leading Aircraftman 1330092 No. 9 Flying Training School, Royal Air Force

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) 2nd edition

Prepared for import into AtoM by Westminster School Archive staff, 2019-2020. Updated by Bethany Duck, Archives Assistant, September 2022.

The Record of Old Westminsters: A biographical list of all those who are known to have been educated at Westminster School from Play 1919 to Election 1989, Volume 4, compiled by F.E. Pagan and H.E. Pagan, Padstow, 1992.

Westminster School Second World War Memorial by John C. Hamblin, 2022.