May 22, 2015 9.04 am This story is over 106 months old

Lincoln war veteran finally gets chance to visit grave of brother killed in WW2

Dream comes true: A 91-year-old Lincoln war veteran flew out to Norway to visit the grave of his brother who was killed in the Second World War.
Arthur Harrison with Rachel Tweedale from The Elite Fish and Chip Company

A 91-year-old Lincoln war veteran has flown out to Norway to visit the grave of his brother who was killed in action in the Second World War.

Arthur Harrison finally fulfilled his long-held dream to go to the grave of his brother, Edward Harrison, at the Commonwealth War Graves in Trondheim Stavne Cemetery.

Private Edward ‘Ted’ Harrison of the 4th Battalion of the Royal Lincolnshire Regiment was killed in action near to Steinkjer on April 22, 1940, aged 21 when the German Luftwaffe bombed and destroyed the town.

Arthur laid a Royal British Legion poppy wreath at Edward’s grave on his four-day visit.

He and his family also visited Krogs Farm, the scene of a battle, and By Farm where Edward died.

On the Sunday (May 17), the family visited the Steinkjer Memorial to take part in Norway’s National Day in Namsos, where local dignitaries presented them with medals made from salvaged Norwegian silver.

Arthur said: “The weekend was marvellous – out of this world. We were treated like VIPs by the wonderful people of Norway.

“The experience has helped me discover the answers about what happened to my brother and helped me to finalise what was left open all of these years.”

Arthur’s grandson Robert Crosbie said: “We had an amazing weekend. Grandad has a smile from ear-to-ear! Paul Kiddell was a fantastic host and we will keep in touch.”

The trip was funded by The Elite Fish and Chip Company, who held a Christmas Wish competition which was won by Arthur.

Adrian Tweedale, owner of the company, said: “We received nearly 400 wishes but Arthur’s wish really moved us.

“Family is important. We had set the prize limit as £250 towards fulfilling a wish, but when we chose Arthur’s wish we wanted to fund whatever it would cost to help Arthur to go to the place where his brother is buried.”