Radar pioneer celebrates his 100th birthday (From Worcester News)

Radar pioneer celebrates his 100th birthday

6:40pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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AN ex-teacher got a letter from the Queen this week to mark his 100th birthday.

Norman Belham, who turned 100 on Wednesday, marked the occasion with his friends and family at Briarlea Residential Home, Badsey Road, Evesham.

Norman’s father died during military service in 1914, leaving Norman’s mother to bring him up alone and with little money in Streatham, London, where he was born.

Having been encouraged at a young age to enjoy algebra as a problem-solving game, he went on to read physics at King’s College, London, on the condition that he promised to be a teacher.

As a specialist physics and maths teacher during the Second World War, Norman was seconded to the radar establishment in Malvern where he played a part in the development and application of wartime radar equipment.

After the war he returned to teaching and helped to inspire many youngsters at Worcestershire schools, including County High School in Redditch and Worcester Grammar School for Girls, before retiring to Badsey, near Evesham.