In Memoriam: veteran-wwii-merchant-seaman-and-labour-activist-oscar-anderson-dies-at-103-in-england/” title=”Veteran WWII Merchant Seaman and Labour Activist Oscar Anderson Dies at 103 in England”>Oscar Anderson (103), WWII Hero, Sleeps
On Christmas Eve, Oscar Anderson (103), a veteran of the Norwegian Seaman’s Union, passed away peacefully. His passing marks the departure of one of the last survivors of a generation that braved the tumultuous war years against Hitler’s tyranny.
"Oscar gave his all for freedom and democracy," wrote Kurt Inge Angell, the union’s leader, in his tribute. "He risked his life to aid the Allies against the Nazis, and now that he needed his homeland, he was forgotten."
Oscar served on merchant ships during WWII, transporting vital supplies to the Allies. Later, he settled in England. After his wife, June, became wheelchair-bound and unable to care for him, he moved to a nursing home, a costly affair at around 100,000 Norwegian Krone per month.
Facing the prospect of moving into a caravan on his son’s property, the union stepped in. They launched a fundraising campaign that collected over a million Krone in just a few days, with the assistance of Sjømannshjelpen, Ulf Andreassen, and NTL Veg, among others. Wiktor Mølleskog, Gry Blekastad Almås, and Roger Albrigtsen also played crucial roles in Oscar’s care.
"I’m incredibly grateful. I can’t believe I won’t have to spend the latter years of my life in a caravan," Oscar told FriFagbevegelse in January.
Political pressure followed in January 2024. Frp debuted a parliamentary motion urging the government to support veteran seamen like Oscar. It was passed, leading to Norway‘s government announcing changes to allow veteran seamen abroad to have their home-care costs covered.
"Oscar was a dedicated member and union deputy," Angell wrote. "He’s one of our last war heroes, and his acts of courage during WWII will never be forgotten."
