Comments on: The Story of the Shetland Bus

By: Malcolm Bass

Malcolm Bass — Sat, 08 Nov 2025 17:18:11 +0000

In reply to G Chadwick. My father, Harold Robert Bass, was the armourer at Scalloway but apart from a few references in a local book, there doesn't appear to be any details of his involvement. He mentioned Leif Larsen, accompanying agents from Aberdeen to Baker Street in London and is shown on YouTube incorrectly as being Norwegian. He was offered Norwegian nationality after the war.

By: Linda McMichael

Linda McMichael — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:26:33 +0000

Even though I read a lot about WWII and look for movies about its history, I had never heard of the Shetland Bus until this spring, when we visited Scalloway on a cruise excursion. The small museum packs an emotional wallop with its artefacts and stories of these heroes. Their contribution to our freedom should be known far and wide.

By: Dave Ash

Dave Ash — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 21:50:48 +0000

I just saw The War Sailor a beautiful yet tragic story of Norway’s heroic merchant seamen in WWII. One of my best friends was on the Pueblo, captured by the North Koreans. Through him I learned of the horrors of war at sea and it’s affect on families and children.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 18:24:36 +0000

Two good books are The Jøssing Affair and the Quisling Factor, both by J.L. Oakley. They are historical fiction but the Shetland Bus is part of it.

By: James Stevenson

James Stevenson — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 19:47:32 +0000

In reply to David Nikel. Thank you for your reply, yes that does make sense, much appreciated.

By: David Nikel

David Nikel — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 13:40:49 +0000

In reply to James Stevenson. The Shetland Bus wasn't one boat - it was a collective name given to all the small fishing boats used to secretly move people to/from Norway

By: James Stevenson

James Stevenson — Sat, 29 Jan 2022 12:06:33 +0000

My mother Mary Young Mcdonald was a nurse at Gilbert Bain Hospital in Shetland during ww2. She died in 2009 and it wasn’t until I was talking to my aunt (her sister) she happened to mention how brave my mother was during the war going out to meet injured soldiers at sea being brought from Norway to Shetland. I have tried to find out any information, but my relations are all gone now. Does anyone know if this could have been the Shetland bus.

By: G Chadwick

G Chadwick — Fri, 26 Nov 2021 19:16:15 +0000

My grandad (Sgt Thomas Almond) was part of the Shetland Bus Operation. Our family had no idea of his wartime escapades. When he died (1984/5?) he left behind no signs of his part in WW2; no medals – nothing. Infact, he never spoke of the war at all. It was only in the late 2000’s when my mum (his daughter) was researching our family tree that little bits of information came to light, including the book ‘The Shetland Bus’.
It is sad that we won’t know what happened during his wartime career as his file is sealed until 2032 under the official secrets act!!

By: Paul Eiken

Paul Eiken — Mon, 18 Oct 2021 13:44:04 +0000

There is also a monument,” Englands farten” on the quay side in Alesund with the names of all those from the area who escaped in various small boats, my father and uncles amongst them

By: Rossana Porcu

Rossana Porcu — Sat, 16 Oct 2021 14:07:54 +0000

Maybe you would love to know it exist an italian novel (fiction) based on this history facts about the Shetland bus.
It’s called “Il coraggio salpa a mezzanotte” (the courage sails on midnight) by Andrea Atzori, published by Einaudi Ragazzi in 2019.
A lovely and very well written novel for young adults. As far as I know it’s only avaliable in italian at the moment.