SERVICES FOR PIONEER AMBULANCIER SATURDAY

On Saturday, May 17, at 12.30 o'clock memorial services will be held over the ashes of Richard Norton '92, at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge. Norton died in Paris on August 2, 1918, of pneumonia combined with nervous strain and disappointment.

Richard Norton, son of the late Professor Charles Eliot Norton '46, was the founder of the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Service, which was the first American Unit to aid the allied armies in the great war. For nearly a year the only American uniforms known overseas were those of the Norton-Harjes Ambulance Service, and all that the French had to judge this country by was the work of the men in this unit. At that time, many undergraduates left the University in order to join Norton's corps and have since played an important part in the entire history of the ambulance service.

First Served With British Forces.

Norton started his first section in the fall of 1914, and worked in connection with, the British Army. As this was not considered as "neutral" service, Mr. Norton was forced to form an independent section by joining with the Harjes volunteer unit then working on the western front.

During the winter of 1916-17, the unite had increased to four sections of 40 men each, largely due to the enlistment of men from the University. By the summer of 1917, it had grown until it included thirteen sections, and a large number of big motor ambulances. All volunteer ambulances service was disbanded in October, 1917, and joined to the United States Forces. Prevented by this move from keeping on with his former work, Norton gave his services to the Intelligence Department of the United States Navy.

Norton was twice decorated by the French, government, first with the Croix de Guerre with palm, and later with the Legion of Honor. Both these awards were given for conspicuous bravery on the field of action while serving with his sections in France.