Jakob Strandheim - Last Crewman Of The Shetland Bus

In memory of unsung WW2 hero Jacob Strandheim: 1 March 1920 - 15 October 2021

Jakob Strandheim was the last crewman of Winston Churchill’s Shetland Bus, a small fleet of fishing vessels crewed by brave sailors who risked their lives to save those of others.

Crewed by fishermen who the British had trained as Norwegian Naval Special Unit sailors, the Shetland Bus vessels ferried agents, resistance fighters and weapons to Norway and brought back refugees escaping Nazi pursuers during the war.

In 2021, The Times and The Herald newspapers published obituaries to celebrate Strandheim’s heroism. In May 2025, The Liberation Convoy will again cross from Bergen to Lerwick to honour him and his fellow maritime heroes who helped secure peace in Europe.

The convoy’s goal is to bring history alive by remembering how these small boats had to cross during harsh winter conditions, because that was when they could sail under the cover of darkness. They were, nevertheless, under constant threat from German patrols and submarines. At least forty four crewmen perished as their vessels were sunk by enemy attacks or in brutal winter storms but Strandheim and his fellow sailors considered the risk of capture to be equally grave. The crews onboard carried ampoules of poison around their necks to avoid being captured and forced to reveal secrets to Nazi interrogators.

By 1943, the Shetland Bus was upgraded as the United States supplied three submarine chasers that completed 210 crossings, delivering 400 tonnes of supplies and evacuating almost 400 refugees.

Strandheim eventually became deputy commander of the Shetland Bus. He was twice awarded the St Olav’s Medal for his bravery and a memorial was unveiled in his name two weeks before his passing by the Norwegian army.

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