80th Commemoration of the end of World War II Shetland Bus Memorial Scalloway – 8th May 2025

Join us in Scalloway on 8 May 2025 for the 80th Commemoration of the end of the Second World War and the Shetland Bus Memorial Service.

An afternoon of remembrance honouring the bravery of those involved in the Shetland Bus operation, with a wreath-laying ceremony, pipe band, Colours parade, and tributes from Shetland and Norwegian representatives.

There are plans for outdoor and indoor events (if the proceedings are rained off).

We look forward to seeing you there from 2.30pm.

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80th Commemoration of the end of World War II
Shetland Bus Memorial
Scalloway – 8th May 2025
​(Outdoor event)

 
13.30
 
Lord Lieutenant’s Party and Colours assemble in Town Hall Meeting Room

14.00

Transport departs for Scalloway from Victoria Pier and Town Hall
 
14.20
 
Lord Lieutenant’s Party and Scalloway wreath layers assemble at Scalloway Hotel

1430
 
Road Closure commences after service bus passes through
 
14.35

Pipe Band leads Colours to the Shetland Bus Memorial
Lord Lieutenant’s Party and wreath layers follow

14.45

Welcome and Introduction
Chairman, Shetland Bus Friendship Society
 
15.00

Act of Remembrance begins
 
Call to Remembrance
 Prayers and Exhortation by Minster“They shall not grow old as we that are left ..............”
All Say:   “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”
 
Last Posts (Norway and UK)
The “Sunset” Ceremony.
Traditionally played at the graveside at military funerals.
The “Colours” are lowered at this point as a mark of respect
 
Two Minutes Silence

Reveilles (Norway and UK)Traditionally played at sunrise to wake the troops
The “Colours” are recovered
 
Minster calls for Wreaths to be laid
Norway Ambassador leads the wreath laying ceremony
Piper’s Lament“The piper weeps for the world and for what it has become.  He stares at the gates of dawn of a new beginning, foretelling its coming”.
 
Prayers and Dedication
“When you go home tell them of us .........”

The National AnthemsNorwegian National Anthem
UK National Anthem
The “Colours” are lowered, ‘in salute’, during the Anthems

 Benediction
The Minister “Blesses” the Colours and Congregation
 
The Chairman, Shetland Bus Friendly Society
 invites the Ambassador to address the congregation
 
The Minister leads the “Wreath Laying Party” back towards the Scalloway Hotel
followed by the Colour Parties
 
After the Ceremony transport will be available to take participants to the Scalloway Museum for refreshments.

Order for Laying of Wreaths
Norwegian Ambassador
Lord Lieutenant
Norwegian Military Attaché
Shetland Islands Council Convener
Shetland Bus Representative
Scalloway Royal British Legion
Scalloway Community Council
Scalloway Primary School
                                                                                                                                                   
Colours

Owing to constrained space only the Colours will parade

Order of March
 
Norwegian National Flag
 
Union Flag
 
Royal British Legion Standard
 
RAFA Ensign
 
Merchant navy Ensign
 
Army Cadet Force Flag

During the Ceremony a “Road Closure” will be in place between 14.30 and 15.30 hrs

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80th Commemoration of the end of World War II
Shetland Bus Memorial
Scalloway – 8th May 2025
​(indoor event - rainy day option)

 13.30
 
Lord Lieutenant’s Party and Colours assemble in Town Hall Meeting Room

14.00

Transport departs for Scalloway from Victoria Pier and Town HallVictoria Pier transport drops off passengers at the Scalloway Church

14.20
 
Lord Lieutenant’s Party, Colours and Scalloway wreath layers assemble
in the side room of the Scalloway Church.

1430
 
Road Closure commences after service bus passes through
 
14.35
 
Scalloway wreath layers and veterans enter the Church taking their seats,
(second row (left)

Congregation invited to stand
Lord Lieutenant’s Party enter and take their seats,
(front row (left)

The Colours are received by the Minister
Colour bearers take their seats, (front row right)

14.45

Welcome and Introduction
Chairman, Shetland Bus Friendship Society

15.00

Act of Remembrance begins

Prayers and Exhortation by Minster“They shall not grow old as we that are left ..............”
All Say:   “WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Last Posts (Norway and UK)
The “Sunset” Ceremony.
Traditionally played at the graveside at funerals.

Two Minutes Silence

Reveilles (Norway and UK)Traditionally played at the break of day

Prayers and Dedication“When you go home tell them of us .........”
 
The National Anthems (Norway and UK)Norwegian National Anthem
UK National Anthem

BenedictionThe Minister “Blesses” the Colours and Congregation

The Chairman, Shetland Bus Friendly Society
 invites the Ambassador to address the congregation

The Colours are returned and retire, followed by the Lord lieutenants Party
and wreath layers, to the side room of the Church

The Minister invites the congregation members wishing to witness the wreath laying to gather opposite the Memorial.

The Colours take post in front of the Memorial
(On the centre line)

The Minister leads the wreath laying party into position

Minster calls for Wreaths to be laid
Norway Ambassador leads the wreath laying ceremony

Piper’s Lament“The piper weeps for the world and for what it has become.  He stares at the gates of dawn of a new beginning, foretelling its coming”.

Benediction

The Minister “Blesses” the Colours and Congregation

The Minister leads the wreath laying party back to the Church
followed by the Colours

After the Ceremony transport will be available to take participants to the Scalloway Museum for refreshments.

Order for Laying of Wreaths

Norwegian Ambassador
Lord Lieutenant
Norwegian Military Attaché
Shetland Islands Council Convener
Scalloway Community Council
Royal British Legion Scalloway
Shetland Bus Friendship Society
Scalloway Primary School                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
Colours

Owing to constrained space only the Colours will parade
 
Order of March

Norwegian National Flag
Union Flag
Royal British Legion Standard
RAFA Ensign
Merchant navy Ensign
Army Cadet Force Flag
 
During the service the Brass Band and Bugler to be seated upstairs, (centre)
 
During the Ceremony a “Road Closure” will be in place between 14.30 and 15.30 hrs

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