Norman James Garton enlisted for overseas service on 28 July, 1916. He claimed to be 21 years old and was, in fact, very nearly that age, but he was born on 28 September, 1895 and his 21st his birthday was not until two months later. Why he chose to enlist at that time, without parental permission, is not known. His father wrote a letter to the authorities, saying that his son was underage and did not have his parents' permission, so on 22 August, five days before he attained his majority, he was dismissed. Interestingly, his father does not state how underage his was or perhaps the outcome would have been different. He appears to have gone home and never enlisted again.

Norman Garton was the son of Charles William and Elizabeth (Lizzie) Josephine, nee Mcparland or McParland. He was born in East Melbourne, his parents residing at 18 Jolimont Rd, Jolimont.  He was the eldest of a family of four: Hilda Mary (b. 1897); Rupert William (b.1900); and Sylvia Evelyn (b.1901)  In 1916, the family was living at 138 Beaconsfield Parade, Albert Park and Mr. Charles Gartland was the proprietor of Garton's Motor Garage, but on the Electoral Rolls, describes himself in 1903 as a Livery Stable Proprietor, then as a stable proprietor through until 1924. Norman Garton was working as a bank clerk, but still living at home with his parents and claimed on his enlistment form to have served 2 Years in the Senior Cadets and five years in the Citizens' Forces. He was Roman Catholic by religion, 5' 7", a good height for the times, and had been certified as fit. 

Once dismissed from the army, he seems to have gone back and lived with his parents again at 20 Princes St., Albert Park until at least 1924, when he woud have been 29 years old. In 1923, he became engaged to Rubie Sandoe, younger daughter of Mr and Mrs J Sandoe, but the marriage does not seem to have gone ahead. In 1937, he was living in St Kilda West and practising as an accountant. In 1944, his wife, Irene Veronica Garton petitioned for divorce. In 1949, he had moved to New South Wales and was living in western Sydney, working as a clerk and living with his second wife Nancy Leah, nee Cassell, at 197 Victoria Rd., Darlinghurst. Nancy Cassell had been born in 1914 and so was a good nineteen years younger than Norman. They married in 1948, she was thirty fur to his fifty three years. In 1963, they were living at 566 Miller St., Cammeray. Norman Garton died on 21 June, 1974 and Nancy on 16 January, 1988. They had one child, Pamela.