Fr Hugh died at Ampleforth on June 22nd, 1943. He was fifty-eight years of age, nearly fifty of which had been spent at Ampleforth where he came as a boy of eleven years in 1896. He will be remembered by his contemporaries of those days as a slight fair-haired boy, quiet-spoken but very determined, exact and methodical in his ways, qualities which distinguished him throughout his life. He was always a leader among his fellows, outspoken and no respecter of persons, saying what he thought needed saying irrespective of consequences. He possessed considerable athletic ability and during his last year at school captained both the football and cricket elevens.
He joined the Novitiate at Belmont in 1903 and after taking his Solemn Vows in 1908 went to Oxford where he took an Honours Degree in Science in 1912. He was ordained priest the following year.
The position which Science now holds at Ampleforth owes very much to Fr Hugh's enthusiasm, drive and organisation. He was never content until he had exacted from the authorities the best possible accommodation and the most modern equipment and he had a way of getting what he wanted, a rare and useful faculty. Fr Hugh soon proved himself to be a born teacher with a remarkable power of lucid exposition and clear demonstration which those who were taught by him will remember with gratitude. When the House system was adopted in 1926 he was appointed Housemaster of St Bede's, a position he held until failing health forced him to resign in 1940. He was a most successful Housemaster, endearing himself to those in his charge by his gentle sympathetic disposition, his unflagging interest in their work and games and his patient understanding of boys' difficulties and perplexities.
It was perhaps typical of Fr Hugh that he should have interested himself so much in the minor school pastimes, swimming, boxing and tennis. Realising there was no lack of enthusiastic support for cricket and football, he made himself the champion of the rights of minor things and he did more than anyone to secure for them their proper status in school life. His orderly methodical mind made him an excellent organiser and his persistent drive and irresistible determination carried his plans to success in spite of considerable opposition and indifference. The glittering array of swimming, boxing and tennis cups that now adorn the shelves of the seven Houses is a memorial of his persevering work.
In his monastic life Fr Hugh was always a model of regularity and exactness in the performance of duty, virtues based on a deep realisation of the spiritual life. With him there was no compromise - he never spared himself. During the last few years when ill-health forced him to abandon one by one the things that had interested and occupied him for so many years there was no word of complaint and his patient uncomplaining resignation to God's will was an inspiration and an example to those around him. The end came swiftly and mercifully, and Fr Hugh passed away peacefully assisted by the Church's last rites and the prayers of his brethren. Requiescat in pace.
HUGH DE NORMANVILLE 22 June 1943
1885 28 Apr Born Leamington
1896 to 1903 Educ Ampleforth
1903 3 Sep Habit at Belmont
1904 11 Dec First Vows
1905 3 Sep Minor Orders
1907 Returned to Ampleforth
1908 14 Sep Solemnly Professed Ampleforth
1910 14 Sep Subdeacon
1911 3 May Deacon
1913 11 Jun Priest
1908-12 Studied Natural Science at Oxford
Took BA in Physics
Taught science at Ampleforth which continued till near his death
1926 When the House system was introduced he became the first House of St Bede's House
1940 Sep Through ill health he retired
1943 22 Jun Died
Buried on the hill at Ampleforth