Convoy city Risør and Royal Norwegian Navy Band

During World War II, around 35,000 Norwegian sailors served in the merchant fleet. Of these, almost 4,500 never returned home. Today, the term "war sailor" is an honorific, thoug unfortunately, it wasn't the case for the many who returned after the war. Years of constant threat of attack from bombers, torpedo boats, and submarines left many with significant aftereffects. When they also risked being without work and shelter, many tried to escape reality through substance abuse. As a result, war sailors were often associated with alcohol, revelry, and disorder.

One of these war sailors was Leif Heimstad from Horten, who had served as a gunner in the merchant fleet. Like many of his fellow sailors, Leif was haunted by the traumas of war and was eventually declared a war invalid. Those who have read Jon Michelet's novels have gained insight into the experiences of Heimstad and others who served at sea and the traumas many had to live with afterward. Heimstad was fortunate to have his wife Else and family's support. He frequently encountered former shipmates who hadn't fared as well, prompting him to think about how he could help them. In retrospect, Else Heimstad said, "Leif must have been crazy to even consider such plans, and I must have been even crazier to go along with it."

Together, they began to search for homeless war sailors, often bringing them home and providing shelter. These were people who struggled to cope with the psychological pressure of their traumas and often ended up homeless with significant alcohol problems. Over time, Else and Leif Heimstad acquired larger accommodations, making it easier to accommodate those they took in. Through this work, they met Per Hansson, the author of the book "Every Tenth Man Had to Die." This was the first post-war book to focus on war sailors and their fate. He often joined Else and Leif on their quests to find war sailors. In 1964, they also began to compile a register of war sailors, which later became crucial for the authorities to understand the extent of the war sailors' post-traumatic injuries. Else and Leif spent much of their money helping others. To supplement their income, Else enrolled in a welding course and began working as a welder, in addition to caring for four children and the war sailors who had shelter in their home. As Else said, "There wasn't much time for sleep."

During this time, their vision of creating a center for homeless war sailors emerged. In addition to Per Hansson, they enlisted the support of Erik Bye, Kjell Arnljot Wiik, Royal Norwegian Navy Band, and others. The longtime journalist for Gjengangeren, Gro Larsen, was also an important supporter to bring attention to the issue in the years that followed.

They wanted to create a place where war sailors could support each other and receive the professional help they needed. On Christmas Eve 1967, in Erik Bye's TV program "We Go on Board," the news was announced that a war sailor town would be built on the outskirts of Risør called Convoy Town, and it would be ready for occupancy by Christmas 1968. A multitude of artists led by sculptor Nils Aas, war sailor associations, municipalities, humanitarian organizations, and private individuals contributed to making Convoy Town a reality.

In December 1968, Convoy Town was officially inaugurated by King Olav V, with Royal Norwegian Navy Band providing the music. Else, Leif, and their children moved into the manager's residences, where they remained. The plan was for Else and Leif to live in Convoy Town for a year to get everything started, then move back to Horten. But that didn't happen. Over the years, Royal Norwegian Navy BandNaval participated in several events to raise funds for Convoy Town. With the opening of Convoy Town, a new tradition began, which has continued to this day. Almost every year, without fail, Royal Norwegian Navy Band visits Risør, especially on May 8th, with ceremonies both at the monument for the fallen on Solsiden in Risør and at the memorial in Convoy Town. Alongside the Heimstad couple and other residents of Convoy Town, the band was there to honor and remember those who sacrificed their lives during the war. The band was also present in 2007 when Else and Leif were both knighted into the 1st class of Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav for their efforts on behalf of war sailors. Leif passed away after a long illness in 2010, but Else continued alone with the fight she and Leif had taken on for years. It was no coincidence that when Defense Minister Anne-Grethe Strøm-Erichsen apologized on behalf of the nation to the war sailors in 2013 for their poor treatment and follow-up after the war years, it happened in Risør with Else as the guest of honor. When Convoy Town's 50th anniversary was celebrated on May 8, 2018, it was fitting that the Crown Prince and Princess were guests, and Royal Norwegian Navy Band provided the music.

Else Heimstad often said about Royal Norwegian Navy Band, "I don't think we would have managed without them." Every newly appointed musician in the Naval Music who joined the band in Risør to mark May 8th for the first time left with an indelible impression. With each subsequent visit to Risør, respect and admiration for the lifelong work of Else and Leif Heimstad increased. Else Heimstad passed away on August 31, 2019, but by then, the band was already well into preparations for its anniversary year, where the war sailor issue had a special place, not least through the commissioned composition "War Sailor's Requiem" by composer Morten Christophersen.