Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914

JAMES NORQUOY

11 October 1883 - 2 April 1917

At School 1895 - 1899

Capt 13th Middlesex Regt

James was born in Manchester of Scottish parents, and in 1891, aged 7, was living at "Orcadia", 40 Manchester Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, with father William, a Building Contractor, mother Ann, older siblings William, Annie and Frederick (also a Hulmeian), younger sister Lillian and one domestic servant. James entered School in 1895 from Chorlton-cum-Hardy High School with a public elementary school scholarship of £15 for three years. The following year he attained a junior commercial exhibition of £10 as well as his swimming efficiency test, achieved by swimming 100 yards, 25 yards on his back and diving from a height above the water and from the surface.

He was an all round sportsman, representing the School at football, lacrosse and cricket; in 1898 he was awarded his 1st XI football cap - "Plays well and works hard for the success of the team." In this year he was also a member of the under 15 lacrosse team which won the North of England Schools Challenge Flags, (Photo right), won his 2nd XI cricket cap and was awarded a foundation scholarship by the Governors. To round it off he won the under 15 Lifesaving Competition and in the School sports the 100 metres, under 15, in 13 seconds. He also came 3rd in the 600 yards handicap with a start of 15 yards.

In 1899 he was a member of the successful 1st XI football team, which won 13 of 17 games, drawing one and losing only to the

Old Hulmeians 2nd (twice) and Owens College 2nd - "vastly superior in size and weight". James had "occupied his new position at back very well; is a good and safe kick: clears well from goal". This year he was also awarded his 1st XII lacrosse cap - "left attack.- A hard working attack, very fast, and has been of great use to the team." - and 1st XI cricket cap - "Has made an excellent wicket-keeper. A good defensive bat." He was co-captain of the Modern V and U M IV which tied for first place in the School form cricket championship. He also found time to play the part of Frank Timperley in the School play, "Fitzsmythe of Fitzsmythe Hall". "The part of Frank Timperley, the every-day young man, is perhaps a trying one. Norquoy improved very much during rehearsal, and gave a creditable performance of the part."

On leaving School, James trained to be an architect in Manchester. He also played football for the Old Hulmeians and joined the Manchester Volunteers, the forerunners of the Territorial Army. By 1911 James had moved to London, living as a boarder at 5 Christ Church Place, Hampstead, and working as an assistant in the Architectural Department of the London and North Western Railway based at Euston. He was lodging with Frederick W Shorrocks, an Old Hulmeian and brother of Ernest and Henry Shorrocks, Old Hulmeians mentioned elsewhere on this memorial website.Whether there was a connection between the two families is not known.

On the outbreak of war, James enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers. However he was obviously earmarked as officer material as he obtained a commission as temporary Lieutenant with effect from 26 November 1914. James joined the 14th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, a reserve and training Battalion based in South East England. On 11 November 1915 he was promoted to temporary Captain and left for France on 29 August 1916 where he was posted to the 13th Battalion, joining them in the field on 1 September.

THE HULMEIAN - July 1917

Captain JAMES NORQUOY, Middlesex Regiment, killed in action on April 2^nd, 1917, was the youngest son of the late William Norquoy and of Mrs Norquoy, of Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. He entered the School with a scholarship in 1895 and left Midsummer 1899. He was on the Football, Cricket and Lacrosse Teams. He was an architect, having studied at the Manchester School of Art. On leaving School he joined the Volunteers, and held the rank of sergeant.He was also very keenly interested in the Boys Brigade, in which he was an officer for many years. Captain Norquoy was in the architecture department of the L. & N.W.R. in London when war broke out. Captain Norquoy joined the Royal Fusiliers in the beginning of September, 1914, and in November of the same year was gazetted lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment.For some time he acted as signalling officer, and in November, 1915, was promoted captain. In February of this year he was slightly wounded in the hand, but remained at duty.From a notice by a friend in the R.F.C., which appeared in the Finsbury “Sentinel”, we extract the following: “The world will be the poorer by the death of James Norquoy, and many another brave spirits like his, but it will be the richer too – richer with the memory of men who were willing to sacrifice everything, even their lives, in the defence of country and principles. He was well read and fond of books, and it was at the St. James’s Literary Society that I first met him. He was not a quick speaker, but his contributions in the discussions were always full of thought and originality. His essays, however, were very clever, and for one of these he won the Leone Levi prize – a much-coveted distinction among London Presbyterians. Our last impression of him is as a short, active figure of quick intelligence, a great conversationalist who could talk well on most subjects. There was a certain amount of reserve in his nature, but his disposition was sociable. His friendship was sparingly given. Those he counted as friends were privileged for he was a true friend. One never knew him to be angry, his temper was very equable. Now he has gone the memory of his friendship will be all the more fragrant, because of that great act of sacrifice with which he has crowned his life.”

Old Hulmeians War Memorial 1914 - 1919