Arthur Mørch Hansson (23 June 1910 – 4 January 1969) was a Norwegian diplomat. Taking part as a soldier in the Norwegian Campaign, and subsequently in organising of resistance against the German occupation of Norway, he then initiated a diplomatic career.

Personal life

Hansson was born in Kristiania on 23 June 1910 to judge Michael Hansson and Minnie Christensen. He married Jette Emilie Gad in 1939. He was a brother of Knut Mørch Hansson.

Career

After qualifying for higher education in 1930, Hansson undertook a

mercantile Trade involves the transfer of goods and services from one person or entity to another, often in exchange for money. Economists refer to a system or network that allows trade as a market. An early form of trade, barter, saw the direct exchan ...

education. In 1940 he

volunteered Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...

as a soldier in the Winter War in Finland, and after the German invasion in Norway he fought in the Norwegian campaign. He was among the pioneers of the resistance organization

Milorg Milorg (abbreviation of militær organisasjon – military organization) was the main Norwegian resistance movement during World War II. Resistance work included intelligence gathering, sabotage, supply-missions, raids, espionage, transport of ...

from 1940 to 1942, serving for a short period as secretary-general ("Stor O") in the central operative leadership. He had to flee the country in 1942, reaching England in 1943. From 1944 to 1945 he served as Norwegian attaché in

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

and Montreal. He was stationed as legation secretary in

Lisbon Lisbon (; pt, Lisboa ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 544,851 within its administrative limits in an area of 100.05 km2. Grande Lisboa, Lisbon's urban area extends beyond the city's administr ...

in 1946, and assumed a position in the

Ministry of Foreign Affairs In many countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the government department responsible for the state's diplomacy, bilateral, and multilateral relations affairs as well as for providing support for a country's citizens who are abroad. The entit ...

in 1948. He was legation secretary in Warsaw in 1949, and served as

vice consul A consul is an official representative of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, as well as to facilitate trade and friendship between the people ...

in New York City from 1950, and as consul from 1952. In 1960 he was ambassador to Lagos, and from 1964 was consul general in Montreal.

Honours and death

Hansson's war decorations include the Defence Medal 1940–1945 with rosette, and the British King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. He was decorated Knight, First Class of the

Order of St. Olav The Royal Norwegian Order of Saint Olav ( no, Den Kongelige Norske Sankt Olavs Orden; or ''Sanct Olafs Orden'', the old Norwegian name) is a Norwegian order of chivalry instituted by King Oscar I on 21 August 1847. It is named after King Olav II ...

in 1961. He died in Montreal on 4 January 1969.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hansson, Arthur Morch 1910 births 1969 deaths Diplomats from Oslo Norwegian resistance members Recipients of the Queen's Commendation for Brave Conduct Norwegian expatriates in Finland Volunteers in the Winter War