| This website is divided into 5 main sections, as described below: The first section, "Odd Conrad Holm" is the main page for everything pertaining to WW II seamen and ships. Each of the 5 "main" pages for each subject will have a menu like the one seen at the top and bottom of this page, whereas all the "subpages" for each section will have a simpler, plainer menu, which still contains the links to the main pages for easy navigation. Additionally, each "subpage" for the Odd Conrad Holm category will contain links at the bottom of the page to "Odd's War", i.e. my father's letters, D/S Ringulv, labor camps etc. I hope this system will make my pages easy to navigate. If you prefer, you can use the Site Map.
A sailor at War - Norwegian Merchant Marine and Ships
This section is very important to me, and the reason why this home page was made in the first place. It tells the story of my father whose life I am trying to piece together, especially the years before I was born. Through this web site I was hoping to find someone who knew him during the most difficult time of his life; his 16 months in several labor camps in Morocco and Algeria in 1941-'42, and the dangerous Atlantic convoy crossings during the war. I've succeeded in doing just that, and it has been an incredible journey (more details on this can be found on his page). Like so many others in the Merchant Marine, who sailed during the war he rarely spoke about these experiences, which marked him for life, and I knew nothing about it until, through an amazing coincidence I was lucky enough to find some letters written by him which describe what he went through. This also provided me with a ship's name on which to base my research, as well as other information which made my search for someone who knew him at that time a lot easier. He died in 1992.
I have included pictures of him and some of his war documents, the names and pictures of ships he was on during and after the war, details on all the Interned Norwegian Ships in North and West Africa early in the war, as well as a list of, and excerpts from books which cover this subject. You'll find descriptions and pictures of the 7 Norwegian war medals, and lots of links to other websites related to his story and Merchant Marines in general, as well as other WW II links.
Initially this site was meant to tell my father's story only, with a few related links, but since it was made it has continued to grow, and before I even realized what was happening, it had evolved into its present state, with information on ships and a long list of Merchant Marine related links, no longer limited to the Norwegian MM. In Febr. 2001, due to an increasing number of e-mails I was receiving with questions on Norwegian WW II ships I decided to start working on a list of ALL the Norwegian ships I could find in my various books, as I saw an obvious interest in, and a need for such information. I hope it will continue to be of some help. I've limited the list to ships in service during the period 1939-1945. I also have a Ship Forum for messages and / or questions related to WW II ships, a Find Old Shipmates Forum where you can leave the name of a seaman you're looking for, as well as a Maritime Books Market Place & Information Exchange Forum, where you can advertise books you'd like to sell (or buy), and get help with finding out of print books etc. I also have a page for personal stories, where I post stories sent to me by others.
On this site you'll also find:
A little bit about what I like to fill my days with now that my children are grown and away at school, links to my favorite sewing / crafting sites, and to web design and "Photoshop" tutorial websites.
Database covering the Hembre/Holm families in Nord Trøndelag county (Hegra in Stjørdal, and Frosta), the Hetland family in Rogaland county (Høyland and Gjesdal), and many other surnames from those areas of Norway. I've written briefly about my paternal grandparents Ola Markusen Hembre / Karen Jakobsdotter Røkkesaunet, my paternal grandparents Conrad Lauritz (Olsson) Holm / Anna Olava (Berg) Holm, my maternal grandparents Andreas Wildner Torsvik / Sigrid Kristine (Hetland) Torsvik, and my mother Åse (Torsvik) Holm. Pictures of them can be found in the Family Album. See also the Wedding Album. I have also included links to others on the Internet whose ancestors tie in with mine, and a long list of genealogy links to web sites which I have found to be very helpful and informative.
A list of links covering various subjects, including health, history, WW I, maps, misc. Norway related links and more. Also has links to the home pages of the other members of my family, where you'll find lots of pictures of us all and the Lawson genealogy database.
Please stop by my guest book where you can send me a message, I would love to hear from you! This would be especially appreciated if you have additional information with regard to the Norwegian Merchant Marine, my father's ships, or any important facts related to his story that I have not included here myself.
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