Home Front Recall page four

At the start of war Saro London and later the Catalina and Sunderland Flying Boats operated from the seaplane depot ship "Manela" at Sullom Voe.

Local men also helped to build camps for the forces and erected tank traps wherever they were needed. This was solid pillars of mass concrete, about four feet high that were positioned close to each other in lines as can be clearly be seen opposite at Mavis Grind. They were intended to stop the advance of enemy tanks should an invasion take place.

The Navy, Army and Air Force Institute or NAAFI employed several Northmavine people around the islands. Most worked at Graven, or went to Lerwick and worked at the NAAFI's beer bar at the Hillhead, known locally as the Lang Bar. Others were posted to Sumburgh to cook or work in the canteen there.

The German twin engine bomber the Heinkel III of the Luftwaffe on the left was a regular sight over Shetland.

On the right is the Shetlander Spitfire bought by donations collected from the local folk of Shetland.

To help protect the flying boat base, a fighter airfield using Spitfire and Hurricane planes was built at Scatsta. The nearby hamlet of Graven was transformed with barracks, NAAFI's and everything else needed to look after an estimated 600 Norwegian and 1200 British servicemen who were stationed there.

No specific authorisation has been sought for the war posters used here as it is believed all images are now out of copyright, and have been used on this Home Front web site for educational purposes. If you disagree with this please contact Trowie Designs.

All text and images other than war poster images and photo's kindly donated by local people are the copyright of Trowie Designs.

The Home Front is a legacy of dedication, adaptability and sacrifice on one hand and open hearted Shetland hospitality and compassion towards the troops who were stationed here on the other hand. Many servicemen were to remember long afterwards, the friendship of local -families and some even married and made their home in Northmavine. For many Northmavine folk, some of whom lost more than one family member in the war, it was a time of great loss and heartbreak but they have the gratitude of the people of Northmavine who today are free because of their sad loss and thanks to projects similar to this one they will never be forgotten.

Hillswick Eshaness Area Regeneration and Development