Shetland - Mainland

A.K.A. (nickname)
Special Unit
County Group
Shetland Islands
Locality

This is similar to an Auxiliary Units Patrol but is, at present, undocumented officially.

Patrol members
Name Occupation Posted from Until
Angus Craig Unknown Unknown
Andrew Irvine Unknown Unknown
James Leask Unknown Unknown
John George Nicolson Unknown Unknown
Operational Base (OB)

The OB is located on the Hill of Gibblestone, above Njugals Water, off the A970 between Tingwall and Scalloway. It is thought to have been built by the Royal Engineers.

Entry was via a flat hatch, operated by counter weights running through two pipes and opened by a wire some distance away.

Patrol & OB pictures
Njugals Water OB (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB entrance (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB entrance (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB entrance (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB vent pipes (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB vent pipes (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB vent pipes (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB vent pipes (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB entrance (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB entrance (from Neil Fraser 2020)
Njugals Water OB site (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB site (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB site entrance (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB site entrance (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB main chamber (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB entrance site (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB entrance site (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB entrance site (from Willie Smith 2018)
Njugals Water OB entrance site (from Willie Smith 2018)
OB Status
Collapsed with some visible remains
OB accessibility
The OB site is publicly accessible
Location

Shetland - Mainland

Training

One night the Army were to test the Patrol. The men gathered at the OB and blackened their faces and hands. John George Nicolson was sent to the top of the hill to watch out. He saw the convoy of staff cars and motorbikes arrive and ran back to the OB to report. The men emerged carrying Sten guns, pockets full of ammunition and hand grenades. It all went well and the men were given top marks. There were two Generals in the attacking force, General Officer Command Scottish and Tactical Command.

Weapons and Equipment

In 2009 local boys found 31 grenades, dated 1943, buried in the nearby area. Police and bomb disposal were called and they were blown up.

Other information

Andy Irvine recalled to author Willie Smith; one Sunday they were to be inspected by a high ranking officer from British Home Forces. The pipes got a good rubbing with grease to ensure the hatch opened and closed smoothly. When the Officer, along with other ranks arrived, he was dressed in a lambswool coat. After he chatted to the Patrol of 6 to 8 men and their Non-commissioned Officer he wanted to go into the OB. When he emerged he had two dirty stripes down his beautiful coat from the newly greased entrance. Nobody said a word and the officer said his goodbyes and left. 

Other names associated with the Shetland Patrol are Captain Hutchison (Kings Own Scottish Boarders) and Sergeant Knight (Royal Scots) though at present we are unsure of their roles.

References

Willie’s War by Willie Smith ISBN 1 898852 97 9

David Blair, Arnold Duncan, Willie Smith, Neil Fraser, Stephen Lewins

Scotland Historic Environment Record Reference: 7754

Shetland Times 27 Feb 2009