Memorial Margit Johnsen

Statue Margit Johnsen (31 Jan 1913-20 Jul 1987) Unveiled 2013

"Margit Johnsen
was Norway's most
decorated woman
during World War II"

Margit, nicknamed 'Malta-Margit' was a Norwegian sailor in the merchant navy. She was serving onboard MV Tudor when Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940. MV Tudor was torpedo and sunk by U-48 off Cape Finisterre on 19 June 1940, Margit and all but one of the crew survived.
In 1942 she was serving on Norwegian MV Talabot due to sail in convoy MW10 from Alexandria to Malta and declined the offer to leave the ship due to the danger on the Malta convoy route. The convoy of four merchant ships left Alexandria on 20th March 1942 with a British escort of 4 cruisers and 16 destroyers. The convoy was attached by German and Italian aircraft and Italian warships resulting in two merchantmen being sunk but MV Pampas and MV Talabot reached Malta. The ships suffered further Axis air strikes and MV Talabot was hit, caught fire and was scuttled. Johnsen was praised for her courage during the voyage and the unloading in Valetta and along with the captain and ships cat was the last to leave the ship. she continued to serve on Norwegian merchant ships throughout the war until she returned to Norway in December 1945 and then continued sailing until 1960.
Margit is the only female awarded St. Olav's Medal with Oak Branch. She wa also awarded the War medal and British Empire Medal

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