Erik Hansen

First Mate Erik Hansen served in the Norwegian merchant fleet, which was one of the largest in the world and vital to the Allied war effort. Norwegian ships carried supplies across the Atlantic despite terrible losses to U-boats. Erik survived the sinking of two ships, spending days in lifeboats before rescue. After the war, he settled in Leeds and worked in the shipping industry. He was active in the Norwegian Seamen's Church and helped maintain the memory of the thousands of Norwegian sailors who died keeping the supply lines open.