Town Hall projections to mark WW2 80th Anniversary

This year marks the 80th Anniversary the end of the Second World War in 1945, following the German surrender on 7th May and the Japanese surrender on 15th August. Victory in Europe and the Far East saw an end to six years of hostilities and saw British and Commonwealth troops 'demobilised' to return home.

The WW2 Roll of Honour was compiled by the late Ian Jamieson in the late 1980s and published by the Shetland Council of Social Service in 1991. It lists the names of over 300 men from Shetland who served in the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy, and who died or were missing in the many theatres of conflict during the Second World War.

Also listed are those civilian casualties, either from Shetland or who had Shetland connections, who died as a result of enemy action.

All the pages from the WW2 Roll of Honour have been scanned into a slideshow of around 160 images by local historian and history teacher Jon Sandison. The images will be projected onto the North wall of Lerwick Town Hall this Friday and Saturday evenings, from 6pm to 10pm, and be visible from the Hillhead and Aitken Place. Vehicle drivers are asked to take care in the area and look out for pedestrians.

The majority of those Shetlanders who volunteered chose to serve at sea, in either the Merchant Navy or Royal Navy, and this is reflected in the number of sailors lost, who are included in the Roll of Honour. Others saw service in British Army regiments and the Royal Air Force, and their names also appear.

Shetland was heavily defended during the Second World War, with estimates of up to 20,000 servicemen based in Shetland, carrying out training exercises and construction work to prepare for the possibility of German invasion, supported by the local Home Guard.

Various artillery and anti-aircraft defences were constructed, and airfields at Sumburgh and Scatsta became RAF bases, with Sullom Voe also a base for flying boats. The 'Shetland Bus' boat operation also supported the Norwegian resistance movement.

Wreaths will be laid at the County War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday (9th November) at 11.00am. Members of the public are invited to attend, with assembly at the Upper Hillhead in Lerwick from 10.40am.

Lerwick Town Hall will also be lit red on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings as part of this year's Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Historian Jon Sandison said: "I hope that these projections at the Town Hall help local folk to remember their relatives and others in our community who never returned from the Second World War. It was a special generation and each individual story is of such interest. During Armistice week, we can all pause and reflect on the impact of war upon communities, not least our own."

Andrea Manson, Convener of Shetland Islands Council said: "These projections on the Town Hall will be a poignant reminder of those in our community who never came home after the end of hostilities, 80 years ago this year. As every year, we remember the sacrifice of those who gave their lives in conflict so that we may enjoy our freedoms today."

Published: 4th November 2025