Biography in the book "Våre falne"

"EIDE, OLE DAGFINN, fisherman, Selje. Born 13 April, 1928 at Selje, son of Hans Eide, born 1891 at N. Vågsøy, and Thea née Hjertnæs, born 1891 at Selje. Lost his life on 18 July, 1946 while haymaking, when he stepped on a landmine left behind by the Germans. Buried at Selje"

Mine clearing

Germans had fortifications at Osmundsvåg, and after the war German POWs were set to clear the mine fields. Even if they failed to find all the mines, the area was declared safe. Any missing mines in mine fields down by the seaside were thought to have been taken by the sea and led out to deep water.

The accident

The tragic accident happened in the morning of Thursday 18 July, 1946. Hans Eide and his son Ole were busy haymaking. While his father went into the barn for a moment, a terrible bang could be heard and the houses nearest the accident shook. People feared the worst. What had happened? Was anybody hurt?

Ole was killed instantly. He had stepped on a mine when he was cutting the hay beside a small tuft of grass.

The grave

Ole Eide was buried on 20 July on the graveyeard at Selje church. The gravestone has the following inscription:

OLE DAGFIN * EIDE * 13-4-1928 * 18-7-1946 * Loved and missed