Appeal for help to honour Sherwood Foresters soldiers from 'forgotten' Norway campaign of WWII

Little is remembered of the ill-fated Norway campaign of 1940 in which a poorly trained and under-equipped force was sent to stop the German invaders and seize the country’s strategically important ports but never stood a chance against Hitler’s crack mountain troops.

This is because it was quickly overshadowed by the events of the dramatic escape from Dunkirk.

Among the British casualties in Norway was Private Charles E Bryan of Skegby, who was only 20 years-old when he died.

Pte Bryan and his fellow casualties are buried in a small war cemetery in Lillehammer.

Now, a retired Norwegian army officer is hoping to rekindle the memory of those fallen British soldiers.

Nicklas Lindqvist, 46, who was a 2nd lieutenant in Norway’s elite Arctic Rangers regiment, has been researching the Norway campaign and is now hoping to contact relatives of men who served, and particularly the families of those who were killed in action.

Mr Lindqvist said: “I didn’t realise how much help we got from the allies and the more I learn, the more thankful I have become for what these men and boys contributed and I think about what might have happened if they hadn’t come.”

Mr Lindqvist is appealing for any relatives of the fallen to contact him so that he can personally express his gratitude for their sacrifice and assure them that their graves are being cared for and visited regularly.

Mr Lindqvist can be contacted by emailing David Sneath, the former High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire and a retired Territorial Army colonel.

In 1990, as then 3rd Battalion Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters second-in-command, he led a commemorative party of more than 100 veterans, serving soldiers and families, to Norway where they were ‘rapturously received’ by the local population.

Mr Sneath, said: “As far as I am aware that was the last time the Norway campaign was officially remembered.

"There is no doubt the bravery and sacrifice of those territorial soldiers, who went into action weeks before the battles of northern France and prior to the Dunkirk evacuation, has been largely forgotten – it is important we do remember them.

“I am more than happy to help Mr Lindqvist in his efforts to honour the sacrifice of those brave men.”

Any relatives of men who were lost in the Norway campaign are asked to email [email protected].