Jon Sandison

History Teacher in Lerwick. MA Military History, Researcher & Military History. WW1 & WW2 Shetland heritage. Accredited Guide @GuildofBG CWGC Volunteer Guide.

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Engine Room Artificer, Frederick James Macro, Royal Naval Reserve. One of 40 crew lost on H.M.S. Cheerful. Son of John and Emily, Gateshead-on-Tyne. His vessel struck a mine south of Lerwick harbour, 30th June, 1917. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. @TheWFA

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

James Cheyne, Merchant Navy, s.s. Thistlegarth. Son of Archibald and Elizabeth, Lerwick. On 15th October, 1940, his unescorted vessel was hit by a torpedo from U-103, west-northwest of Rockall. He is one of many Shetlanders commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. @CWGC

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Culmination of a busy War Graves Week in Shetland. The tour tonight paused at the graveside of Flight Sergeant Frederick Leighton. His Blenheim crashed due to an accident 1st November 1941, very near the cemetery. @CWGC

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

A visit to the 51st Highland Division Memorial last month, in a very quiet Newfoundland Memorial Park. Remembering the Shetland Gordons of 13th November, 1916. @ghmuseum

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

@SommePhantom Special to see the small poppy cross with Shetland flag still there which we left last month.

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

https://t.co/oCBsCKxYPB

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Final duty before returning home from walking trip to the Somme. A pause to remember all Shetland men who were lost during the Battle of the Ancre, 13th November, 1916.

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Calback Ness Coastal Defence Battery. Situated on the north-west side of Sullom Voe. Put in place during WW2 to guard the adjacent seaplane base. Coastal Command Squadrons there undertook vital operations in the North Atlantic and across to Norway.
Photograph: David Manson.

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Able Seaman, Daniel Darbon, 26 Floyd Road, Charlton, London, served on H.M.S. Cheerful. Lost on 30th June, 1917, via mine, while escorting a convoy heading north to Lerwick between Helli Ness and the Bard Head, Bressay. Commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. @CWGC

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Lance Corporal Peter Thomson, Scalloway, Shetland. 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders. Returned to mainland Britain from the Western Front due to trench foot. Discharged at home, November 1917. Died from pneumonia in February 1918. Buried Tingwall, Shetland. @CWGC @TheWFA

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Clear winter days and a low sun are the most special for appreciating the wartime heritage that Shetland has to offer. R.A.F. Graven air raid shelters still keep guard. The camp served Sella Ness Flying Boat Base, Coastal Command, and nearby Scatsta Airfield.@RoyalAirForce

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

In early 1940, recruitment was sought for local men to join the 10th Home Defence Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. Key role of the garrison was to guard vulnerable points and provide fixed positions against a possible German invasion. The Shetland News, 4th January, 1940.@ghmuseum

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

A cold evening sky and a snowy Shetland. @CWGC

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Visiting Shetland during 2026? Interested in the military history, heritage, and stories of these islands, alongside the tale of the 'Northern War' during WWI and WWII? Please get in contact. Will be absolutely delighted to help. @GuildofBG @CWGC https://t.co/XxfnbrYFag

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Early twilight on the south entrance to Lerwick harbour. One of two Searchlight positions for gun positions, manned by Coastal Battery, Royal Artillery during WW2. Adjacent ancillary provision included a training hut, canteen, sergeant's mess, and workshop.

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Stoker John Hutchison, Royal Navy. 50 lost on Destroyer H.M.S. "Cheerful" which struck a mine off Shetland, 30/6/1917. Son of John and Ellen. Stepney E. London. "Cheerful" was part of the Eighth Destroyer flotilla, escorting Scandinavian Convoys. @CWGC @LostInWatersWW1 @TheWFA

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Low winter sun in Lerwick. @CWGC

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

Gunlayer David Mann, like many Shetlanders, served with the Royal Naval Reserve. Originating from Mid Yell. Lost at sea on the s.s. "Eupion". Sunk by a German submarine, west of Loop Head, 3rd October, 1918. Aged. 31. Commemorated, Portsmouth Naval Memorial.@CWGC @TheWFA

[Jon Sandison @JonLerwick]

David Anderson, Lerwick, was one of 22 local men killed during the Battle of the Ancre, 13th November 1916. 19 of these men were Gordon Highlanders. David was killed during the attack on Serre. He is buried at Queens Cemetery with other Shetlanders. @TheWFA @CWGC

[Westminster Abbey @wabbey]

Buried among the kings: Ahead of this weekend's #RemembranceSunday commemorations, read the remarkable story of the Unknown Warrior and how, in 1920, his body was brought from the battlefields of northern France to be buried in the Abbey: https://t.co/nrThQh5JLf

#Remembrance #LestWeForget