Longcross cemetery contains many casualties of the Second World War. Amongst the British casualties there are also several foreign merchantmen who were killed during the German raids on commerce. One of these was Einar Erikson, who was born in 1912 and died serving on board the merchant vessel MT Buesten.

On 9 April 1940, Germany launched its invasion of Denmark and Norway. Whilst Denmark fell in six hours, Norway held on but was rapidly losing ground to the German forces despite support from France, Poland and Britain. King Haakon VII of Norway and the Royal family were evacuated on HMS Devonshire on 7 June 1940, to establish a government of exile. The Devonshire was crammed, with 460 Norwegian officials, and was nearly intercepted by the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst, but managed to escape.

On 10 June all resistance ended, and Vidkun Quisling installed as Prime Minister by the occupying Nazis. Norway had the fourth largest merchant fleet in Europe, and Britain had pressured Norway to provide shipping for the Allied cause before they were invaded, which they did – sending 150 tankers and other vessels to Britain.

In April 1940 the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission (Notraship) had been established in London. With about 1,000 ships under its control, it was the largest shipping company in the world. These sailors were on the frontlines of the battle of the Atlantic, as Germany attempted to sever the supply lines that fed the British military and industry.

During the five years of conflict 706 vessels were lost with 3,670 Norwegian sailors lost. One of these was Erikson, who was serving on the tanker MT Buesten. The Buesten was travelling in a coastal convoy between Dartmouth and Southampton, loaded with 7200 tons of gasoline and petrol.

On 9 April 1941, the ship was attacked by German planes 5 nautical miles from Berry Head. One of the tanks filled with gasoline was struck, and the fire quickly consumed the ship, killing 28. Of those on board. Nineteen of these were Norwegians. On Erikson's grave is written ‘For Norge’ which is a reference to the Royal motto ‘Alt for Norge’ (All for Norway).