Alv Kjøs


Alv Kjøs was a Norwegian army officer and politician for the Conservative Party.

Early life and military career

He was born in Løiten, the son of farmers Andreas Olsen Kjøs and Dina Baardsdatter.
Having achieved his examen artium academic certification in 1914, he graduated from the upper section of the Norwegian Military Academy in 1917. Upon graduating, he joined the infantry of the 2nd Division as a first lieutenant. He first served in the 6th Infantry Regiment, before transferring to the 5th Infantry Regiment in 1921.

Political career

He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Hedmark in 1937, and was re-elected on five occasions. From 1958 to 1961 he was President of the Odelsting, and from 1961 to 1965 he was Vice President of the Storting.
On the local level, Kjøs was a member of Løten municipal council from 1931 to 1945. He chaired the municipal party chapter from 1930 to 1934, and the county chapter from 1937 to 1946. From 1954 to 1962 he chaired the party nationwide.

Second World War

During the German invasion of Norway in 1940, the major Kjøs fought in Southern and Northern Norway. When officers were arrested as prisoners-of-war in 1942 during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany Kjøs was imprisoned in Grini concentration camp from April. In August 1943 he was transferred to Grune in Germany, later to Schildberg and Luckenwalde. In 1946 he was promoted to colonel. Besides his military career he was a farmer.
He was decorated as a Commander with Star of the Order of St. Olav in 1964.