Shetland's War 1914-1918

During the centenary commemoration of the Great War the Library supported local history publications and events to bring Shetland's war history to a wider audience.

Much of our work was done in partnership with the Shetland Museum and Archives. Our work was supported by two generous grants from the Public Library Improvement Fund which enabled us to publish some high quality local history books about Shetland's war. Free copies were distributed to the community and to libraries across the UK. They are available to borrow, or to buy for just £5. List of Library publications

 

Shetlland's War events and highlights

	Shetland Medal Winners 1914-18: a talk by Ian Tait. 23 March 2018, Shetland Museum and Archives
	A Shetland Writer in the Trenches: a talk by Dr Mark Smith. 6 February 2018, Shetland Library
	The Darkest Day: talk on Shetland's losses at the Ancre on 13/11/1916 by Jon Sandison + screening of Private Andrew Williamson by JJ Jamieson. 13 November, 2017, Shetland Museum and Archive.
	Women in the Front in the Great War: a talk by Marsali Taylor. 15 November 2017, Shetland Library.
	Our War in Words: and evening of drama, poetry, readings and music marking Shetland's War, with Shetland Youth Theatre and local readers. 11 November 2017, Shetland Library.

 

A few useful links and resources associated with our projects:

 

In the Still of the Night have we Wept

This highly acclaimed 2017 production by Shetland Youth Theatre featured the work of Shetland's war poet Jack Peterson. We also hosted a talk about Jack Peterson in the Library in February 2018, delivered by Dr Mark Smith from Shetland Museum and Archives.

 

'Private Andrew Williamson'

This film by J.J. Jamieson was screened at Jon Sandison's talk about the Battle of Ancre in November 2017, and we gave it its online premiere. Also find here a list of over 20 Shetland men who died at Ancre on 'Shetland's Darkest Day', 13 November 1916. Ancre: list of casualties [PDF].

 

First World War - Local history online for young people

These are materials specially created by the Library to suit different age groups.

 

First World War Local Bibliography

Writing about the First World War began soon after the fighting started - everything from propaganda to oral history. Originally called the Great War, its centenary is seeing a barrage of new materials to provide modern analysis and interpretations for all ages. This is a short bibliography which concentrates on materials with useful Shetland content.