South Africa War Graves Project
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Norway

List updated April 27, 2013

Country Total = 4

4 graves in 2 cemeteries

Completed = 1 (or 25.0%)

Cemetery
SA War Dead #
SA serving in Non-SA units War Dead #
Rhodesian including Non-Rhodesian Units
Total
Status - Complete, Underway, Part Done
Volunteer
Nesbyen Churchyard
0
0
2
2
.
.
Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery
1
.
1
2
Part Done (1 of 2) - Missing L F Redfern
Trond Kirkhaug liason by Bjorn Ingebrigtsen

 

Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery - Photo © Trond Kirkhaug liason by Bjorn Ingebrigtsen

TRONDHEIM (STAVNE) CEMETERY

The town of Trondheim stands on the west coast of Norway approximately 300 km north of Oslo. Approaching Trondheim from the south on the main E6 route from Oslo exit the A6 shortly before the toll bridge at junction 11a signposted route 715 to Fosen. Follow the 715 turning right at the T junction and right again at the roundabout approximately 1 km further on, still signposted to Fosen. 50 metres beyond the roundabout turn right into a short lane at the sign for Stavne church. The churchyard is 100 metres along on the left. From the entrance to the churchyard the Cross and war plot can be plainly seen at a distance of 100 metres immediately behind the wooden chapel. During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards. Trondheim (Stavne) Cemetery contains the largest Commonwealth war graves plot in Norway. Among those buried here are the first casualties of the Norwegian campaign, six sailors from the destroyer Glowworm which blew up after attacking and ramming the German cruiser 'Hipper' on 8 April 1940. Some of the soldiers belonged to the force which landed at Namsos later that month and advanced towards Trondheim, while many were casualties from the raid made on the island of Vagsoy at Christmas 1941. The majority are airmen who were shot down in this area, many whilst attacking German shipping in Norwegian coastal waters, the losses being particularly heavy during the spring of 1942. The Commonwealth plot at Trondheim contains 155 burials, 26 of them unidentified.

CALLAGHAN G B GEORGE BARRY Lieutenant Pilot 102302 South African Air Force 608 (R.A.F.) Sqdn. . 23-May-42 0 A IV British. E. 2. Killed in action

Name: REDFERN, LEONARD FRANK
Initials: L F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant (Pilot)
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 50 Sqdn.
Date of Death: 27/12/1941
Service No: 778284
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: A IV British. G. 7.

Location Information

 

NESBYEN CHURCHYARD

Nesbyen is in the Hallingdal Valley in south-central Norway, 180 kilometres north-west of Oslo. From route 7, Oslo to Bergen road, turn off at the bypass into Nesbyen. At the T-junction turn left, follow along to the roundabout and turn left again. Follow past the church on the right and turn first right to rear of church. The Commonwealth war graves are to the left of the gate.


Historical Information

During the Second World War, Norway was of strategic importance to the Germans. Their invasion on 9 April 1940 was sudden and widespread and despite Allied intervention, the entire country was under German occupation by early June. Thereafter, Allied activity in Norway was confined to raids and special operations, with the Commonwealth air forces providing support to Norwegian resistance groups until the German capitulation in May 1945. There are no Commonwealth war cemeteries in Norway, those who died there being buried in civil cemeteries and churchyards.

Nesbyen Churchyard contains the graves of ten Commonwealth airmen, the crew of a Lancaster of 617 Squadron which crashed on a mountain top nearby on 17 September 1944, where they were originally buried. One of the airmen is unidentified

FOX C L CHARLES LAWRENCE Flying Officer Navigator 138131 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 617 Sqdn. formerly of 44 (Rhodesia) Sqdn. 17-Sep-44 22 XII. H. 2. Crew of a Lancaster of 617 Squadron which crashed on a mountain top nearby Son of Julius and Marie Fox, of Wembley, Middlesex. Captain of Latymer Upper School, 1940. Scholar of Trinity College, Cambridge. Southern Counties Junior Athletic record for 440 yards, 1940.

LEVY F FRANK Flying Officer Pilot 160142 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve 617 Sqdn. 17-Sep-44 0 XII. G. 1. Crew of a Lancaster of 617 Squadron which crashed on a mountain top nearby Son of Haiavt and Marie Levy. Of Rhodesia. Jewish


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