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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Norman Aage Christopherson

In memory of:

Lieutenant Norman Aage Christopherson

August 10, 1944

Military Service


Age:

25

Force:

Army

Unit:

Algonquin Regiment, R.C.I.C.

Additional Information


Born:

April 11, 1919
Vestfossen, Norway

Enlistment:

November 6, 1942
Toronto, Ontario

Son of Peter R. and Hilda Christopherson, of Toronto, Ontario.

Commemorated on Page 273 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:
Grave Reference:

VII. C. 6.

Location:

This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lies 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in the Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Photo of Norman Christopherson– Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star September 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Star September 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– From the Toronto Telegram September 1944. Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Gravemarker
  • Cenotaph– Lieut. Christopherson is commemorated on this memorial at R.H. McGregor Public School, Coxwell Ave, East York (Toronto), Ontario.
  • Soldiers' Tower Memorial– The Soldiers’ Tower was built by the University of Toronto Alumni Association in 1924 as a memorial to the Great War of 1914-1918. The names of those who died in that conflict are carved on the Memorial Screen at photo left. After the Second World War, more names were carved in the Memorial Arch at the Tower’s base. In total, almost 1200 names are inscribed.  A Memorial Room inside the Tower contains mementoes and artifacts, and a 51-bell carillon serves as the audio element of the living memorial to the alumni, students, faculty and staff who died in the World Wars. The Soldiers’ Tower is the site of an annual Service of Remembrance. Photo: Kathy Parks, Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Arch– The names of those who died in the Second World War were added to the archway beneath the Soldiers’ Tower in 1949. The name of “Lt N. A. CHRISTOPHERSON C.I.C.” is among the names inscribed. Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial Room– Soldiers’ Tower, University of Toronto. Photo: David Pike, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Memorial– University of Toronto Memorial Book, Second World War 1939-1945. Published by the Soldiers’ Tower Committee, 1993. Entry on page 12 reads: Lt Norman Aage CHRISTOPHERSON  The Algonquin Regt. Victoria College, BA 1941. Died of wounds in France, 10 August 1944. Buried in Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery, France.
  • Victoria College WWII Plaque– This outdoor plaque is located at Victoria College, part of  Victoria University in the University of Toronto. “They were valiant in life and triumphant in death. [Victoria University Crest - Abeunt studia in mores]. Erected to the memory of the students of this college who gave their lives in the Great War 1939-1945. This tablet was erected by the Board of Regents and Dedicated October 13th, 1953”. Among the 79 names inscribed is that of: “Norman Aage Christopherson”.  Photo: Cody Gagnon, courtesy of Alumni Relations.
  • Biography– Image from Torontonensis – University of Toronto's Yearbook in 1942 describes Christopherson and his extra-curricular activities.
  • Group Photo– Group photo shows Christopherson in back row, photo right.

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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