Norman Prince : $b A volunteer who died for the cause he loved — John Shaqi
Norman Prince : $b A volunteer who died for the cause he lovedBabbitt, George Franklin
History
Norman Prince : $b A volunteer who died for the cause he loved
Babbitt, George Franklin
Prince, Norman, 1887-1916; World War, 1914-1918 -- Aerial operations; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives
Recalling these venturesome incidents in Norman’s early career as an
amateur aviator, I sometimes think that perhaps fate had reserved him for
the cause to which he finally gave his life and that the character of
this service was that for which he had shown such a passionate fondness
and aptitude, despite all obstacles and discouragements. Worldly success
won by the ordinary plodding methods meant little to him. He aspired
to hitch his wagon to a star. He cared nothing for the privileges of
wealth, even though they might be within his reach, and he envied no
man his success in whatever honorable lines he might elect for himself.
His ambition was to achieve something worth while and he gave all his
energies to the accomplishment of that purpose.
Considering these predominant traits of Norman’s character, as well as
his achievements, I conclude that he could hardly have wished for a
nobler fate than that which finally befell him on a battlefield of France.
Speaking for Norman’s mother I would say in her behalf:
“Light sorrows speak—great grief is dumb.”
A mother’s grief for the loss of a dearly beloved son is too deep to find
adequate expression in words. Memories of Norman’s tenderly affectionate
nature, of his fine character, his charming personality and his unfailing
buoyancy and cheerfulness are so real, so vivid, and so abiding that
it is difficult to realize that he has gone. Although he has indeed
gallantly sacrificed his young life for a cause he dearly loved, his
mother cherishes the firm faith that the fine spirit thus displayed by
him remains undaunted and unquenched, and that it is still the blessed
privilege of those near and dear to him to continue to enjoy this sweet
belief.
A further measure of consolation has been found in the many and tender
messages of sympathy that have come from near and far, testifying to the
warm appreciation of Norman’s rare qualities as they were revealed in his
life, and to the general admiration of his heroic self-sacrifice. These
messages have helped to comfort and sustain the bereaved family.
FREDERICK HENRY PRINCE.
V
A COMRADE’S TRIBUTE
In a contribution to the _World’s Work_, James R. McConnell, a
sergeant-pilot of the original American Escadrille, gave the following
graphic description of the engagement in which his comrade Prince lost
his life. It is a pathetic circumstance that but a short time after he
had written this tribute, Sergeant McConnell himself met the same fate as
that which befell his American comrade, his dead body having been found
within the German lines where he had fallen in an aerial combat with the
enemy.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account