Canadian diplomant E H Norman, a victim of US anti-communist allegations committed suicide on April 4, 1957. An excellent record of service, none of the suspicions against him have ever been proven

Canadian diplomant E H Norman, a victim of US anti-communist allegations committed suicide on April 4, 1957. An excellent record of service, none of the suspicions against him have ever been proven.
Photo Credit: Library and Archives Canada, PA-134317

History: Apr 4, 1957, “Murder by Slander”

Early in the working day on April 4, 1957,  Egerton Herbert Norton, the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, told his wife he was going for a walk.

He proceeded from his residence several blocks to a tall building in Cairo which housed the apartment of his friend, the Swedish Ambassador. He went to the roof where he removed his glasses and watch, walked back and forth for a bit, then stepped off to his death. He was 47.

A dedicated civil servant and diplomat he had been an interpreter at the Canadian embassy in Japan when war broke out, and later became the head of the Canadian mission to occupied Japan after the war.  An expert in Japanese history and culture, he was seconded  to the US Intelligence Corps, where he sometimes disagreed with the policies of then Supreme Commander of Allied Forces, Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

Norman and U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in occupied Japan, shown at a Dominion Day reception at the Canadian Embassy, Tokyo, 1947
Norman and U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Powers in occupied Japan, shown at a Dominion Day reception at the Canadian Embassy, Tokyo, 1947

But no sooner had the Second World War come to an end, than the Cold War began.

But no sooner had the Second World War come to an end, than the Cold War began.

An American architect of the US war on communism, visited Tokyo in 1948 and during the visit, met with Norman on two occasions. He would later state that there was a serious diversion of opinion on keeping Japan under strong US control, a diversion that “should be corrected  as soon as possible.”

This put Norman, who saw benefits in some socialist policies, in the crosshairs of the Americans.

Because he had briefly been in the company of Cambridge University’s communist discussion group which included future spies like Kim Philby, Burgess, Blunt, and McLean, soon allegations of ties to Communism began to circulate, and Norman was recalled. The American allegations, with no evidence, would not go away, and he was demoted in 1953 and sent to New Zealand.

Twice cleared by an investigation by Canada’s national police force, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, he was later elevated to ambassador posted to Cairo which marked his diplomatic “comeback”

Wadi-el Nil building 1984, it was from this building that EH Norton committed suicide under continued US charges of being a communist.
Wadi-el Nil building (1984), it was from this building that EH Norton committed suicide under continued US charges of being a communist. © Roger Bowen, 1984, University of British Columbia Library, Rare Books and Special Collections, C2124

Then, even as Norman was heavily involved in the stress of the Suez Crisis, and a principle in negotiating a peaceful resolution (for which future Prime Minister, Lester Pearson would be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize) came more accusations of being a Soviet spy.

These came from U.S. Senate Internal Security subcommittee,  mostly from Robert Morris, counsel and principal member, Senator William E. Jenner of Indiana who were still hunting communist sympathisers.

The Cold War was at it’s height the fearsome aftershocks of McCarthyism were still rolling through the US and other western governments.

The stress and persecution proved too much for Norman, who decided to end his life rather than go through yet another round of trying to defend his reputation and loyalty.

His suicide sparked an international incident as Canada considered the US allegations, as an unjustified and slanderous attack on a dedicated Canadian official.

Upon his suicide, newspaper headlines in Canada expressed outrage over the persecution of Norman
Upon his suicide, newspaper headlines in Canada expressed outrage over the persecution of Norman © via artkilgour.com

The then leader of the Progressive Conservatives, John Diefenbaker John Diefenbaker, said Norman was a devoted public servant whose good reputation was taken from him “by indiscriminately branding him as an enemy, trying him by suspicion and … convicting him by innuendo.”

Investigations, including a federally commissioned one as late as 1990 had never found any evidence to substantiate claims against Norman.

However, Canadian politicians of the day chose not to further anger their powerful neighbor and let the uproar to quickly fade

However, on phrase remains, that of Alistair Stewart, then a member of Parliament for Winnipeg North. Who said, “I believe that Mr. Norman was murdered by slander … I believe he died as surely as if someone had put a knife into his back.”

One of Norman’s suicide notes.

Dear Howie & Gwen:

You have been much in my thoughts. It is too complicated to explain in a note — Irene some day will discuss it with you — I am completely innocent but a victim to forces bent on my destruction — no I haven’t a persecution complex.

I dearly love you both and your family God bless you and save you from any troubled or tragic mishap — one in the family is enough — you must have faith in my complete innocence — despite the filth of slander and speculation that will appear. My Christian faith — never strong enough I fear, has helped to sustain me in these last days. This letter includes in its embrace you and all the youngsters — I write to Grace too — Irene is an angel help her.

Love — warmest love –

Herbert

University of British Columbia Rare Books and Special Collections, Roger Bowen Collection, Box 1, File 1-13, E. Herbert Norman, Norman’s Suicide Notes, ca. April 4, 1957

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