I would like to introduce you to my friend Tony Normyle. KHS.
(Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem).
Tony was born in Miles Platting on 6 December 1936, and lived for the first part of his life in Lower Russell Street. He has a brother Norbert and a sister Sheila. After the War the family lived at 32 Lewis Street until 1950.
He attended Corpus Christi School throughout his schooldays, where he took part in operatic productions, which were produced by Mr. Gilligan the Head Teacher and Mrs Flynn the Music Teacher. They performed Gilbert and Sullivan, HMS Pinafore, and the Pirates of Penzance. There was a lot of fun and laughter and they really enjoyed performing.
Tony was also in the Kerry Pipers for fifteen years with many of his friends. One of whom was Kevin Philbin. Tony and Kevin are still the very best of friends to this day. The pipe band was very well known to hundreds of people especially at the Whit Walks. What happy memories we all have of those days.
Later he went into Military Service serving with the Black Watch, Royal Highland Regiment. He was stationed at Queens Barracks, Perth Scotland.
Tony married Julia Burton on July 27th 1957, and they are still together 46 years later. Julia came from Collyhurst, and went to St. Malachy’s school.
He was employed by Prudential Assurance Co. and progressed from District Agent to Financial Advisor passing exams required by FIMBRA. (Financial Intermediaries, Managers and Brokers Regulatory Association).
Tony and Julia lived in Failsworth for a short time, and from there they moved to Blackpool. Tony became a member of the Catenian Association in 1985. This is an Association of Catholic Gentlemen, which was founded in 1910 and was twice elected as President.
He was invested as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem (A Papal Knighthood) on 6 December 2000 at Southwark Cathedral on invitation granted by His Holiness Pope John. This entitles him to have the letters KHS after his name!
He told me this must be the highest honour he could ever achieve in his lifetime! He was awarded the honour for his many charity works, which are, Cancer, Heart Problems, Children’s Cot Death and other Children’s Charities. He first became involved with the heart charity after he underwent a five-graph heart by-pass operation nine years ago.
Tony’s hobbies are Crown Green Bowling, enjoying holidays and eating out. He strongly believes in living each day as it comes and being honest with people.
I hope you found this story about a local boy and his achievements, since leaving Miles Platting to be of interest.
Pat Breaky
