People Australia

Norman Augustus (Norm) Taylor (1912-2003) entertainer, community activist and Communist

Birth: 1912 at North London, England. Marriage: 1942, details unknown. Death: 2003. 

• Left formal schooling at age 12. Unhappy childhood, parents politically ignorant working-class who voted Conservative; first job as a page-boy but with tips he was able to earn nearly as much as an adult but it involved a six-day 72-hour week; he records taking letters from Mrs Wallis Simpson’s apartment to the Prince of Wales residing at St. James Palace in 1927.
• Had an abiding interest in London’s variety theatres at night; starting as a “dresser” through his father and he went on to get experience in amateur entertainment and theatre costumery. His personal experiences in pre-war Britain of witnessing the grinding poverty moulded Norm’s attitude to life. During World War II he trained as a wireless operator and joined the Communist Party of Great Britain in 1941.
• Arrived in Australia in 1949. Joined the Communist Party of Australia after arriving and retained membership for 20 years. Performed as ‘Elderly Character’ in the first highly acclaimed performances of Dick Diamond’s Reedy River and earlier took roles in New Theatre League plays. Was a member of the Pearly Kings and Queens Guild and was very proud of his suit to which was hand-sewn 15,000 buttons and another 1000 on the hat. As late as 1990 he was giving charity performances and at the age of 82 taught himself tap-dancing.
• Travelled widely to Cuba, Vietnam, China and Soviet Union. Made numerous visits to Europe and the United Kingdom.
• Best remembered for numerous causes he took up and his controversial letters to the daily and socialist press over a thirty-year span. It is difficult to find a worthwhile organisation or cause of the Left with which he was not involved or acquainted. He was president of the Australia Vietnam Society for several terms and had membership with the Australia Cuba Friendship Society, Australia-Soviet and Australia-China Friendship societies. In 1996 he attended the Fourth World Atheist Conference in India and was an active member of the Humanist Society. In October 1997 he took part in a demonstration at McDonald’s European headquarters in London.
• An advocate of personal fitness he swam all year round. At the age of 81 he was featured on the front page of a seniors magazine skipping furiously on the beach, complete with knickerbockers and his inseparable visored cloth cap. The photo adorned his coffin.
• A facsimile of the revolutionary manifesto of the 1955 South African “Freedom Charter” from Norm’s estate was presented to the Semaphore Workers’ Club as part of the May Day celebrations.

Sources
Eulogy by Vic Potticary.