Norman McBean was born on February 1, 1896 in Lethbridge, N.W.T. to parents Albert and Agnes McBean. He had a brother, Albert, and a sister, Mildred. The McBean family moved to Fernie, British Columbia around the turn of the century. At time of enlistment, Norman was employed as a clerk. On June 7, 1915, Norman McBean enlisted with the 54th Battalion CEF in Vernon, British Columbia. Pte McBean arrived in England on October 31, 1915, and remained in England until embarking for France on March 15, 1916. Upon arrival in France, he was taken on strength by the 7th Battalion CEF. Pte McBean would serve with this unit for thirteen months, seeing action on the battlefields of France and Flanders. On April 10, 1917, the day after the ma...