The Knab Lerwick

The Knab was a very different place during World War Two with the buildings that still exist today playing an active role in wartime efforts during the conflict.

At the bottom of Gressy Loan, to the west, was Twageos Camp. Here, several Nissen Huts were incorporated alongside a lecture room and training hall which was utilised for air gunners training in aircraft recognition. There was also a sergeant’s mess, and accommodation for men.

HMS Fox was situated next to the cemetery, and to the east of the top of Gressy Loan. Sometimes referred to as ‘Knab Camp’. This was part of HMS Fox which was a naval shore base. Following the war, the wooden huts from this camp were also utilised as temporary housing for servicemen and their families. HMS Fox served as a base for Motor Torpedo Boats, and part of it was occupied by the Women’s Royal Naval Service.

Adjacent to Knab Camp was Bellevue Camp. This was situated on ground cleared behind the Anderson Educational Institute building and consisted of Nissen and wooden huts which were erected for use by the RAF.

The Janet Courtney Hostel was under construction when World War Two broke out. However, the main structure was completed to the stage that it could be used as an RAF fighter operations headquarters. This was important, not least following the occupation of Norway in the spring of 1940. German aircraft would regularly visit the islands. In the early part of the war, the basement was used as an air-raid shelter for Anderson Educational Institute pupils. Following the war, the building was completed and became a hostel for boys.

In 1939, additional hospital accommodation was required. The Bruce Hostel was identified by local surgeon, Daniel Lamont as a suitable building to house an auxiliary hospital. However, with the arrival of the admiral of the fleet in July 1940, plans changed. For a short period upon the outbreak of World War Two, the building was requisitioned and occupied by the admiral of the fleet, the Earl of Cork and Orrery, and his staff.

In addition to this, in 1942, the Anderson Educational Institute building was taken over by the army as a military hospital. In turn, pupils were evacuated to Lerwick Central Public School until April, 1946.

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Source

• Text: Knab.Shetland
• Photos: Jeroen van Dijk