Daughter of ‘Shetland Bus' sailor embarks on trip from Norway to Scotland
Ahead of the VE Day 80th anniversary, Astrid Larsen, the daughter of Leif Anders 'Shetlands' Larsen, is travelling on a 'Shetland Bus' vessel between the two countries in a Liberation Convoy recreating the route.
The fishing boats and merchant ship were used to smuggle special forces soldiers and secret agents from Shetland to Nazi-occupied Norway.
They also carried weapons, explosives and radios for the resistance movement and on their return journeys brought refugees and soldiers escaping from the Nazis.
Vessels travelling the route, dubbed the 'Shetland Bus', were at constant risk of discovery by German submarines and planes.
Mr Larsen was one of the most famous men who operated the Shetland Bus, having barely escaped Norway in February 1941 in a fishing boat before joining the Norwegian Naval Independent Unit, a cover title that came to be known as the Shetland Bus.
He was the skipper of the fishing vessel Arthur during an attempt to sink the German battleship Tirpitz in the Trondheimsfjord in 1942, which failed.
Despite the failure, he received a Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, making him the first non-British person to gain one.
After the war ended, he returned to Norway where he was married and had three daughters, including Astrid.
Mr Larsen died after a stroke in 1990, aged 84.
Some of the boats used during the war are now being reunited to take part in a Liberation Convoy which is travelling from Norway to Lerwick in Shetland next month, arriving in time for events commemorating the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8.
Mr Larsen's daughter, Astrid Larsen, aged 73, is travelling on one of the boats, which is due to arrive in Lerwick in the Shetland isles on May 6.
Remembering her father, the retired healthcare professional said: 'We were a very normal family, the only special thing was that sometimes people wanted to speak with my father about the war, but he didn't like to speak about it.
'I think it was the same for many men and women who had experienced difficulty during the war.'
Ms Larsen, who has one grown-up son, was born in 1951, just a few years after the war ended.
She says her father learned to navigate Norwegian waters through the help of his own father, who owned a small fishing boat.
Asked about her father's achievements in the war, Ms Larsen, of Bergen, Norway, said: 'My father did a great job, but he always said there were many others just like him, and that together they did a great job.
'He made 52 trips from Norway to Shetland during the war, so I am proud of what he did.'
Ms Larsen is no stranger to the Shetland Isles, having travelled there some 30 times throughout her life.
However, this marks the first time she will have travelled there on the same boats used by the Shetland Bus.
She said: 'I'm not nervous at all, just excited. I really look forward to this trip and I think it's great we have the boats together.
'I think it will be a very good experience and I look forward to talking with the other people there.
'I have been to Shetland many times but never in one of these boats or in a convoy, so it'll be different.
'I started going to Shetland with my husband when my father was still alive. I really like Shetland, the nature, the people, and it's a very relaxing place.'
She added: 'I continue to go every summer and take friends and family, there are so many people in Norway who want to go to Shetland.
'I think I have been more than 30 times.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The National
2 days ago
- The National
Edinburgh's Orthodox school adds new chapter to Greek-Scottish story
Scottish education earlier this month added St Andrew's Orthodox Church School to the official register of independent establishments. Based at Craigmillar Park Church in the south of the city, it offers a traditional style of education. Many Cypriots originally made their way over to Scotland in search of work and a better way of life, and there were also war brides who married Scottish soldiers after the Second World War. READ MORE: 'Their love for Scotland made my heart sing': George Ezra hails Scottish folk group Today, Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews universities are popular studying spots for Cypriots, and many have their own societies to embrace their culture. There have been Greek schools in Glasgow and Edinburgh since the 1950s, along with the Edinburgh Hellenic School of St Andrew which teaches Greek to all ages, and the community has a real warmth to it. Low-cost flights mean it is also relatively easy to fly back to Cyprus and enjoy the likes of seaside beauty Paphos. One of the most luxurious and secluded places to stay is the five-star Constantinou Bros Athena Beach hotel, just yards away from the sands of Kato Paphos and a 15-minute stroll from the beautiful harbour, archaeological sites, shops and restaurants. The old town of Paphos is great for soaking up the traditions of Cyprus and at the heart of it is The Place, a converted warehouse where craftsmen continue to use ancient methods to create wonderful arts and handicrafts. This oasis of joy is full of talented people selling their work and also providing valuable classes to allow others to learn the same skills. Visitors can try their hand at everything from pottery painting to creating mosaic magnets, and The Place also has a lovely café. Full of history, Paphos is officially a Unesco World Heritage site, with the Archaeological Park one of the most important in Cyprus. It dates back to the fourth century BC when King Nicocles moved it to its current home by the harbour. It features sites and monuments from the time up to the Middle Ages, with most of the remains dating back to the Roman times. The most impressive are the intricate mosaic floors of the houses of Dionysos, Theseus, Aion and Orpheus, which show various scenes from Greek mythology. Other important monuments including the Asklepieion, a theatre known as the Odeon, and the Agora. The Limeniotissa, the ruins of an early Christian basilica, and the Tomb of the Kings are also in this fascinating and huge park. The big underground tombs are carved out of solid rock and, despite the name, it was actually high-ranking officials and aristocracy who were buried in the cavern, with some decorated with Doric pillars. Sitting grandly at the west end of the city's harbour, Paphos Castle was originally a Byzantine fort, which was built to protect the water. It was renovated by the Lusignans in the 13th century, only to be dismantled by the Venetians who did not want to fall into the hands of the Ottomans. What survives today was restored by the Ottomans in the 16th century and features a big square tower and central hall. The castle was handed over to the British in 1878 and it was used as a salt store until 1935, when it was declared an ancient monument. It really makes for an impressive site in the harbour, alongside the rows of fishing boats, and yachts which moor so people can enjoy this lively area. Seafood is very much on the menu in Paphos and two of the best restaurants are Ta Mpania, which is slap bang by the water and, in the old town, the very popular Christos Grill and Seafood Restaurant has al fresco dining to allow gorgeous views of the city, while feasting on the finest of local dishes. Enjoying the simple pleasures in life is very much the mantra in Cyprus and repeated in the adopted home of Scotland. Factfile
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Wales Online
The North Wales seaside resort dream that 'never quite came true'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info North Wales has its fair share of wonderful seaside resorts - from the eternally popular Llandudno to watersports hotspot Rhosneigr. When it came to Llandudno it evolved from a small fishing and mining village into a prominent Victorian seaside resort in the mid-19th century. The town's development was significantly influenced by the arrival of the railway in 1858 and big dreams from Victorian entrepreneurs. But not every grand plan comes to fruition for various reasons. For example Porthdinllaen never became the port to link North Wales to Ireland despite the ambitions of some. People were reminded of another scheme that never reached the potential imagined for it by a picture taken this week by local photographer Dominic Vachar. Solomon Andrews - head of the Solomon Andrews and Son bus and tram-operating company, based in Cardiff - had high hopes for a slice of farmland near Arthog, next to Afon Mawddach. The nearby Barmouth was already thriving and he hoped to develop another holiday resort on the other side of the estuary. He developed three terraces of houses, including St Mary's Terrace, Arthog Terrace, and Mawddach Crescent, which overlooked the Mawddach estuary. The Crescent was connected to Barmouth Junction railway station by the short-lived Barmouth Junction and Arthog Tramway which he constructed. But the surrounding land proved unsuitable for further construction and the tramway closed. In 1941, during the Second World War, the Crescent was commandeered by the Royal Marines. It was renamed Camp Iceland and used as a training facility. The homes remain - with a private road serving the small terrace with spectacular views. Dominic Vachar said: "Tucked away on the edge of the Mawddach Estuary, Mawddach Crescent is a striking reminder of a Victorian dream that never quite came true. (Image: Dominic Vacher) "Built in the late 1800s as part of plans for a grand resort linked to the railway boom, it was meant to attract wealthy visitors to this quiet stretch of Snowdonia (Eryri). But with no road access at the time the rest of the development was never completed, the Crescent stood in isolation for decades. "Even today, the Crescent is still quite isolated. It's tucked away at the end of a narrow lane, with no through road and for most visitors, it's easiest to reach by walking or cycling the Mawddach Trail , the old railway line that runs between Dolgellau and Barmouth." Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- North Wales Live
The North Wales seaside resort dream that 'never quite came true'
North Wales has its fair share of wonderful seaside resorts - from the eternally popular Llandudno to watersports hotspot Rhosneigr. When it came to Llandudno it evolved from a small fishing and mining village into a prominent Victorian seaside resort in the mid-19th century. The town's development was significantly influenced by the arrival of the railway in 1858 and big dreams from Victorian entrepreneurs. But not every grand plan comes to fruition for various reasons. For example Porthdinllaen never became the port to link North Wales to Ireland despite the ambitions of some. People were reminded of another scheme that never reached the potential imagined for it by a picture taken this week by local photographer Dominic Vachar. Solomon Andrews - head of the Solomon Andrews and Son bus and tram-operating company, based in Cardiff - had high hopes for a slice of farmland near Arthog, next to Afon Mawddach. The nearby Barmouth was already thriving and he hoped to develop another holiday resort on the other side of the estuary. He developed three terraces of houses, including St Mary's Terrace, Arthog Terrace, and Mawddach Crescent, which overlooked the Mawddach estuary. The Crescent was connected to Barmouth Junction railway station by the short-lived Barmouth Junction and Arthog Tramway which he constructed. But the surrounding land proved unsuitable for further construction and the tramway closed. In 1941, during the Second World War, the Crescent was commandeered by the Royal Marines. It was renamed Camp Iceland and used as a training facility. The homes remain - with a private road serving the small terrace with spectacular views. Dominic Vachar said: "Tucked away on the edge of the Mawddach Estuary, Mawddach Crescent is a striking reminder of a Victorian dream that never quite came true. "Built in the late 1800s as part of plans for a grand resort linked to the railway boom, it was meant to attract wealthy visitors to this quiet stretch of Snowdonia (Eryri). But with no road access at the time the rest of the development was never completed, the Crescent stood in isolation for decades. "Even today, the Crescent is still quite isolated. It's tucked away at the end of a narrow lane, with no through road and for most visitors, it's easiest to reach by walking or cycling the Mawddach Trail , the old railway line that runs between Dolgellau and Barmouth."
