101-0005-016

Interview with Betty Wagner-Larsen, Bergen

Interview with Betty Wagner-Larsen discussing the Norwegian community in Cardiff during World War Two.

Item

1 Compact Audio Tape

2 June 1995

BHAC

English

Copyright situation unknown/other, contact HCE

Contact HCE if you would like to use or reproduce this item

Betty Wagner-Larsen, Bergen

No

Part 1 [Tape 1 Side A] [00:31:13]: Betty Wagner-Larsen [BWL] grew up in Cardiff, her grandfather was Norwegian from Trondheim and moved to Newcastle before settling in Cardiff. After meeting her husband who was in the Royal Norwegian Airforce during the war, BWL settled in Bergen in 1946. [00:03:50] Discusses her first relations with Pastor Ralph Ramastan(?) and the Prestergordon(?) on Cathedral Road. [00:04:41] Recalls her first visit to Trondheim in Norway in 1939 before the War broke out. [00:06:00] Remarks on her attendance to the Norwegian church every Sunday and Thursday where she played the piano and sung as entertainment for seamen. [00:08:40] Recalls famous Norwegian artists playing at the church. [00:11:15] Recalls Pastor Rasmastan(?) going to the ships to give sailors news. [00:12:23] Describes the community the church gave Norwegian sailors. [00:13:10] Talks about the Prestergordon(?) being used as an open house for Norwegians. [00:18:20] Recalls the response to the news of the German occupation of Norway. [00:25:00] Remembers a big sale at the city hall, where she worked, for Norwegians. [00:26:55] Describes the Prestergordon(?) house and garden. [00:28:35] Discusses her time working for the Entertainments National Association (ENSA) and the Red Cross during the war. [00:30:33] Recalls holding a concert for sailors called the ‘Mixed Grill’.

Part 2 [Tape 1 Side B] [00:31:15]: Betty Wagner-Larsen [BWL] recalls 17th May Celebrations. [00:01:18] Comments on facilities at the Prestergordon(?). [00:02:05] Discusses husband’s journey to Cardiff from Norway with his uncle, who became a decorated war hero. [00:05:54] Recalls meeting her husband in 1942. [00:09:15] Tells an anecdote of Sofia Ramastan(?) and her daughter Igna. [00:09:56] Recalls moving to Bergen after the war had finished in 1945. [00:13:35] Describes the lack of goods in Norway after the war; shops were empty, and many houses looked derelict. [00:15:23] Remarks on accommodation problems in Norway following the war. [00:16:12] Discusses moving back to Britain in 1946 for a short period. [00:17:23] Describes moving back to Norway and an improvement in conditions. [00:21:30] Recalls meeting for anniversaries with the Royal Norwegian Air Force Association. [00:22:40] Mentions D-Day celebrations in Normandy. [00:25:33] Describes catching the tram car from Roath to the docks during black out. [00:23:45] Comments on meeting Price Olaf in 1941. [00:28:55] Recalls a visit to the Norwegian restaurant.

62 min 28 sec

Yes

Glamorgan Archives and National Library of Wales

Open

UNLW023/15