Ludvig Småskjær

On the 4th March 1941, 17 year old Ludvig decided to leave his home on the Lofoten Islands as one of the 314 Norwegians that volunteered to return to the UK with the commandos. He told no one of his decision and his father realised too late that he'd left. His father was rounded up by the Germans and interned in retribution for Ludvig leaving with the British raiders. As a youth, Ludvig suffered from Asthma but thought that the tough training in Scotland to become a commando cured his asthma. After the war Norway disbanded the Commandos and Cpl Småskjær transferred to the regular Norwegian Army. He finished his service in the rank of Captain. Photo courtesy of Hans Frederik Schell, posted by Nick Collins