A long-standing friendship between Dumfries and Norway has taken on extra significance this month thanks to the dedication of Beverley Thom.
Although the 63-year-old has no Norwegian heritage of her own, Dumfries-born Beverley has become quite the historian on the connections forged between the town and Nordic nation.
It has culminated in two special events which she says were “an honour” to be part of.
She was asked by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London to lay a wreath, on their behalf, on May 8 – WW2 VE Day – in commemoration of the Norwegian servicemen who are buried in Dumfries’ Troqueer Cemetery.
And, then, a few days later, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Paul Gibson came to visit the graves which were restored to their full glory last year.
He invited Beverley to take part in the laying of special cards on the war graves to commemorate Constitution Day in Norway – May 17 – which was done simultaneously at all the Norwegian servicemen’s graves across the UK, organised by Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Beverley, who retired from the Education Department at the council, said: “It was an absolute honour and a privilege to lay the wreath and the cards, and to remember those Norwegian servicemen who have become part of Dumfries’ history.”
During the Second World War, the Germans invaded Norway in 1940. The country was quickly over-run and many Norwegian servicemen pulled out along with the British troops who were fighting there; others were at sea and turned to Scotland for help because they couldn’t return home.
Around 300 Norwegians, including service people, civilians and whalers, arrived in Dumfries that year and moved into Rosefield Mills on the banks of the River Nith – initially as a place of residence and, later, employment.
Dumfries became a haven for them and they have left their mark in the town.
One of the High Street buildings became “Norges Hus” – Norway House – which was the headquarters and cultural centre for the exiled Norwegians.
They worshipped at a number of churches in the town but it is Troqueer Church that has the strongest links with the war graves in its cemetery.
It also has a silver baptismal font from the Norwegian refugees “in gratitude” bearing the inscription: “When exiled from our own country we found in this House of God, Peace and Strength.”
The exiled Norwegian army also carried out military training in the town and, by 1941, there were more than 1,000 servicemen which resulted in barracks at Carronbridge being built.
After the war, the links between Norway and Dumfries stayed strong.
In October 1962, King Olav V visited Dumfries and was granted freedom of the burgh.
It was with a scant knowledge of all this that Beverley began her own journey.
She said: “I was with the Thornhill Country Dancers and we were away at a competition trip and I got talking to some Norwegians who were there.
“Dumfries came up in the conversation and they said that they didn’t have any connections in their family. That was more than 20 years ago and we’ve been firm friends with Turid and Aslak Wahl ever since, with many visits to each others homes. And it turns out that Turid does have a link with Dumfries on her father’s side as her uncle was on a whaling ship when the invasion happened and was brought to the town and billeted at Rosefield Mills.”
Beverley said: “I was eager to find out more for them but there was very little information in the library and museum. So I decided to research it for myself and then I was contacted by Norwegians wanting to come to Dumfries to see this part of their heritage for themselves.
“I set up Dumfries’ Scottish Norwegian Connections and it has resulted in a number of trips and events over the years. There is a Scottish Norwegians Connections group in Norway now too.”
Beverley, supported by her husband, Michael, have welcomed parties of Norwegians to the town and there have been services at St Michael’s and South Church and the raising of the flag of Norway at the Midsteeple.
She has always been keen to show them around places with a Norwegian link and created an information booklet for the visitors.
And she had been all set for a visit by around 70 Norwegians to Dumfries last year which has been postponed because of the pandemic.
Beverley said: “I have been working with the Royal Norwegian Embassy in London in connection with a commemoration weekend which was due to happen in Dumfries in September last year. This was postponed until September this year because of the pandemic, but, because of all the uncertainty around travel this year and the fact that most of our participants are over 65 years, we decided to cancel. We hope to arrange a modified event in 2022 but the format will depend on restrictions at that time.”
“And others have been telling me what they know of family members who came to Dumfries and some of it is very moving.”
