Editing Norman Wisdom (section)

== Early life ==
Norman Joseph Wisdom was born in the [[Marylebone]] district of London.<ref name=":0">{{cite ODNB|title=Wisdom, Sir Norman Joseph (1915–2010), comedian and actor|url=https://www.oxforddnb.com/view/10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-103354|access-date=16 February 2022|year=2014 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/103354|isbn=978-0-19-861412-8 |last1=Double |first1=Oliver }}</ref> His parents were Frederick, a [[chauffeur]], and Maud Wisdom (née Targett), a [[dressmaker]] who often worked for West End theatres and once made a dress for [[Mary of Teck|Queen Mary]].<ref>Don't Laugh at Me, p. 1</ref> The couple married in Marylebone on 15 July 1912. Norman had an elder brother, Frederick Thomas "Fred" Wisdom (13 December 1912 – 1 July 1971).{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

The family lived at 91 Fernhead Road, [[Maida Vale]], London W9, where all four shared a single room.<ref name="MyTurn">{{cite book|last1=Wisdom| first1=Norman |last2=Hall |first2=William |title= My Turn|publisher=Arrow Books|year=2003|isbn=978-0-09-944676-7}}</ref> Norman and his brother grew up in extreme poverty and were frequently subjected to violence by their alcoholic father, who would sometimes pick them up and throw them across the room.<ref name="Story" /><ref name="TelegraphObit" />

Following the separation of their parents, the boys were "farmed out to paid guardians",<ref name="TelegraphObit"/> but their father failed to pay for their care, and they were eventually turned out. After being expelled from the home entirely by their father, Norman became homeless and was forced to sleep rough on the streets of London.

After a series of unsuccessful foster placements, he was eventually taken in by a generous couple. He soon found work as an [[errand boy]] in a [[grocery store|grocer's shop]], despite not initially knowing how to ride a bicycle.<ref name="Story">''Norman Wisdom: My Story'', [[BBC Two]], 15 October 2010</ref> By the age of 13, he was working long shifts in a hotel. One of his fellow boy workers persuaded him to walk to Cardiff with hopes of becoming a miner. However, the boy’s family was unable to house him, and Norman found himself homeless again.

He later joined the [[British Merchant Navy|Merchant Navy]] as a [[cabin boy]], sailing to [[Argentina]]. During the voyage, he learned to box. In Argentina, he entered a prize fight, managing to last three rounds before being badly beaten. During his time in the Merchant Navy, he also had to fend off unwanted sexual advances from a fellow sailor.

Returning to Cardiff and once again out of work, Wisdom made his way back to London. There, he was advised to join the [[British Army]], which accepted band recruits from the age of 14. Though he had no musical training, he tearfully persuaded the recruiting officer to let him join—and was accepted.