Norwood was 23 years old, and a second lieutenant in the 5th Dragoon Guards (Princess Charlotte of Wales's), British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place at Ladysmith for which he was awarded the VC: On the 30th October, 1899, this Officer went out from Ladysmith in charge of a small patrol of the 5th Dragoon Guards.

The enemy kept up an incessant fire during the whole time that Second Lieutenant Norwood was carrying the man until he was quite out of range.

He stayed with the 5th Dragoon Guards in South Africa until the war ended in May 1902, and left for Calcutta on the SS Umlazi two months later.

[2] Norwood later achieved the rank of captain[3] before resigning his commission in June 1909,[4] joining the 2nd County of London (Westminster Dragoons) Yeomanry.

[5] Posted to France on the outbreak of the First World War, he was killed in action during the First Battle of the Marne at Sablonnieres on 8 September 1914.