Historical Background

Nova Scotia and Norway forged lasting ties, during the Second World War — ties that began on April 9, 1940, when Norway was invaded by German troops. At that time, a total of 1,100 Norwegian ships were either out on the high seas, or in ports far away from home. They were advised to sail to the nearest Allied port. In that group, there were 7 Norwegian factory ships and 16 whalers that received cryptic instructions to seek refuge 'somewhere on the East Coast of Canada'. The coordinates of longitude and latitude they were given brought them to the Halifax harbour.

Concerns about potential for military intelligence making its way back to Germany led to the crews being confined to their ships initially. Over time, then Member of Parliament, J.J. Kinley (father of the recent Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, James Kinley) was able to negotiate an agreement whereby the sailors could be moved to Lunenburg where a barracks was constructed in the space of six weeks. The base opened in August of 1940 and 'Camp Norway' became the new home for the Norwegian crews, while their whaling boats and factory ships were refitted for war service. The Camp eventually became a training school for some 1,400 sailors who would serve with the Royal Norwegian Navy as gunners on vessels that joined the convoys out of Halifax, either as freighters, or escort ships.

The Norwegians became well established along the south shore of Nova Scotia, not only in Halifax, but also in Chester, Lunenburg and Liverpool. To support the Royal Norwegian Naval Service, established on Hollis Street in July of 1940, other Halifax-based services for the visitors sprang up. There was a medical centre on Barrington Street, which, in 1942, moved to a 'sick bay' on Kent Street. The Norwegian Sailors' House on Tobin Street had space to accommodate 40-50 guests and offered a restaurant and club as well. Close to the Halifax Regional Library, a church was established on Dresden Row. In Chester, the Hackmatack Inn was purchased, refurbished and expanded to serve as a hospital and convalescent home for Norwegian seamen. The newly named King's Hill (Kongshaug), which took in patients from the Lunenburg base as well as others, had permanent medical staff and 153 beds that were almost continuously fully occupied. The Norwegian Skippers' Association purchased a large property in Chester where they established the Skippers' House, a recreation facility and residence.

Some of the crewmen on the whalers, who were deemed unfit for service in the Navy or Merchant Marine because of their age or their medical condition, were placed in various other activities. They received work permits to obtain civilian jobs in agriculture, forestry, the fisheries or industry, especially shipbuilding at the yards in Halifax, Dartmouth, Lunenburg and Liverpool. Others found work in the trades related to these industries.

Still others migrated to 'Little Norway' in Toronto to train as pilots who would serve either with the Royal Norwegian Air Force or the Allied forces.