MOLVIG, HELGE JON (1923-1970), artist, was born on 27 May 1923 at Merewether, Newcastle, New South Wales, and registered as Helge John, only child of Helge Molvig, a Norwegian-born sailor who became a steelworker, and his Australian-born wife Bernardine Ivy, née Ward (d.1924). Young Helge was cared for by his maternal grandmother Isabella Ward (d.1932), then by an aunt Eleanor Malley. Educated at Newcastle and briefly at Quirindi, he showed some artistic ability but left school in 1936. He worked in a garage and later in the Newcastle steelworks.

On 12 February 1942 Molvig was called up for full-time service in the Militia. In July he arrived in Port Moresby with the 14th Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery. Next month he transferred to the Australian Imperial Force. He contracted malaria and in February 1944 was sent to Australia where he twice went absent without leave. After working (1945 ...

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Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography