A flotilla of historic vessels crossed the North Sea to mark the 80th Anniversary of VE Day and the end of World War 2 in Europe
Tuesday 6th May
The vessels, led by the S/S Hestmanden, arrived in Lerwick Harbour in the afternoon. There were opportunities for the public to visit and view the ships during their time in port.
Wednesday 7th May
Wreaths were laid on Norwegian War Graves at the Lunna Kirkyard by Charlie Grant, Chair of the Shetland Bus Friendship Society and Captain Pål Hope, Norwegian Defence Attaché to the UK.
The wreath-laying was followed by a service in the kirk led by Pastor Gwyn Stoyle. Captain Hope spoke of the vital role played by those involved in the Shetland Bus operations, risking their lives to support the Norwegian resistance during World War Two. He also spoke of the fragility of peace and the need to protect democracy at all costs.
Members of the Royal Norwegian Navy Band played beautifully during the service and the event was attended by crews from the Liberation Convoy.
The Council’s Convener, Andrea Manson, hosted a civic reception in Lerwick Town Hall on the evening of Wednesday 7 May. Among the invited guests were volunteers who had helped to organise the various events during the week, as well as crew members from the Liberation Convoy vessels.
The evening featured music from the Norwegian Navy bands and Shetland Fiddlers’ Society. One of the highlights came when the Convener presented Norwegian Ambassador to the UK, Tore Hattrem, with a painting by Scalloway-based artist Sam Davies. The painting, which had been specially commissioned for the event, was of ‘KNM Hitra’, one of the submarine chasers that served as part of Shetland Bus operations from 1943-45.
Thursday 8th May - VE Day
80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe (‘VE’) Day was marked with public commemorative events in Lerwick and Scalloway. The Lord Lieutenant and Convener led the laying of wreaths, with national anthems played by Lerwick Brass Band and musicians from the Norwegian Naval Band.
A memorial service took place at the County War Memorial, Hillhead, Lerwick at 11.00am
A service also took place at the Shetland Bus Memorial in Scalloway
The Ambassador also laid wreaths at the Norwegian war graves at The Knab Cemetery in Lerwick, where local historian Jon Sandison told the stories of those buried there.
