2nd Mate Hallvard Halgjem served in the Norwegian Merchant Navy during the Second World War. Born on 26th February 1897, he was one of twins born to Arne Halgjem and Thora Halgjem of Risor, Aust-Agder, Norway.
Halgjem died on 6th December 1942 aged 45 years old. The cause of death was a “general accident” while serving on board DS Hjalmar Wessel. The Norwegian merchant ship had been docked in Belfast Lough since returning from Convoy SC-109 on 29th November 1942. It was due to set sail the following day for Holyhead, Wales. At his time of death, Halgjem’s home was in Leirvik, Stord-Førde, Hordaland, Norway.
Attack on the Røsten
The Norwegian seaman had escaped an E-Boat attack on the DS Røsten on 9th July 1942. The Norwegian ship left Barry, Wales on 7th July bound for Shoreham, England with a cargo of coal when Commander Dross of S-109 torpedoed the port side. An escorting destroyer picked up a total of 9 survivors while the British steamer Gripfast rescued the Captain, 2nd Mate, 1st Engineer, Steward, and Stoker.
Hallvard Halgjem’s grave is in Glenalina Extension, Section PR, Row VI, Grave 225 of Belfast City Cemetery, Belfast. His headstone incorrectly spells his first name as “Halvald”.