Norway: A Norwegian Merchant Mariner's attributed Second World War medal group of 3: Chief Engineer Oivind Ellingsen, Norwegian Merchant Navy

- Norway: War Medal
- Norway: King Haakon VII's Medal of Liberty
- Norway: Defence Medal 1940-45

Sold together with an original letter in Norwegian, from Bergen based Ship-owner Johs Larsen to the recipient, Chief Engineer Oivind Ellingsen, of the Motor Vessel "Anne Reed', who was berthed at Oslo, dated 6 December 1947. The letter pertains to the recipients resignation from his appointment of the M.V. "Anna Reed" during the vessels re-fitting at which time the recipient had bene holding the appointment of Chief Engineer:  

A 'Google Translation' of the letter is here provided:

Quote,

Mr. Chief Engineer Oivid Ellingsen D/S "Anne Reid", Oslo

We thank you for your letter of 26.fm. and must say that it is with great regret that we receive your resignation.

You have got the machine in first class condition and we understand that the cooperation between Captain Helland and you was excellent, so it was a shame that you wanted to go home. On the other hand, one must of course admit the justification that people have to have a holiday

We thank them for their good will to put the new people into the machinery, and it is a matter of course that Captain Johannessen does not have to show them off because they have handed over everything and instructed the new people. Captain Johannessen will be informed of this from here

We would greatly appreciate it if you came aboard "Anne Reed" again when it would suit you, and on that occasion you would let us hear from you sometime in the spring.

Today we have got hold of a chief engineer, who we think is excellent. He is waiting for a new building for Johan Gran and would very much like a temporary job

Best regards and a very Merry Christmas and a happy holiday

Best Regards
Johs Larsen

Unquote

Norwegian War Medal: Instituted by King Haakon VII of Norway by Royal Decree on 23 May 1941 with the addition of the Royal Decree of 13 November 1942. It may be awarded to Norwegian and foreign members of the military who in a meritorious way have participated in the Second World War for Norway. The War Medal may also awarded posthumously to all Norwegians and foreigners who fought in the Norwegian forces and merchant marine and fell for the Norwegian Resistance.
The distribution ceased in 1951, but in 1979 it was determined by Royal decree that this medal was to be awarded Norwegian and foreign seamen who served on Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (Nortraship) vessels during World War II for 18 months, or on board Royal Norwegian Navy vessels.
The criteria were again changed in 2012. The medal can be awarded to Norwegians who have served meritoriously during war, for Norway. It has been awarded for war against ISIL
King Haakon VII's Medal of Liberty (Haakon VIIs Frihetsmedalje) was established on 18 May 1945. The medal is awarded to Norwegian or foreign military or civilian personnel for significant service to Norway during World War II. This service need not have been in direct contact with the enemy

Defence Medal 1940–1945 (Deltagermedaljen 9. april 1940 - 8. mai 1945) is the award rewarded to those military and civilian personnel who participated in the fight against the German invasion and occupation of Norway between 1940 and 1945

A scarce seen positively attributed Norwegian mariner's medal group for service during the Second World War - the recipient almost certainly being a 'War Sailor', as one of more then 30,000 Norwegian merchant seamen, who sailed and operated on Norwegian vessels under the NORTRASHIP scheme, whereby Norwegian ships and seamen served under allied (principally British) control following the Nazi enemy occupation of Norway 1940-45 

Of th estimated more then 30,000 Norwegian seamen, who served under the Nortraship scheme, 3,670 lost their lives as a result of the war at sea, together with 977 foreign crewmen serving on Norwegian ships. In terms of vessels lost, the Norwegians lost 706 ships sunk, captured or otherwise lost to enemy action 1940-45

Condition: Medals mostly about VF

Code: 25762