We have visited the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK a number of times and are always incredibly impressed, by not only the site but also by many of the 'back stories' which have come to our attention over the years. Because we now live in the Faroe Islands, we were interested to see if there was a memorial to the Faroese people, disappointingly, there wasn't. The Faroes were occupied by British forces from April 1940 until September 1945. There were troops from different factions of the British Army and Air Force stationed there for most of the period - in fact, the Royal Engineers built the original airstrip which is still used today (although it has been modernised!) and ships from the British Navy came and went with regularity as old whaling station was converted to a place for fuelling up.

During the conflict, much of the British fishing industry was halted when trawlers were requisitioned and many of the crewmen signed up to defend the British coast coast and there was a real problem with getting a supply of fresh fish, but the Faroese, who are sailors and fishermen by nature, stepped into the breach and continued to fish as they always had, delivering their catch to the British Isles. Drifting mines and bombings by the Luftwaffe were a terrible danger to them but, in spite of this, the Faroese fishing fleet continued throughout the conflict, during which time it is believed that approximately 200 men were lost. Although this may not sound like a great number in the scheme of things, to the population of the Faroe Islands this represented a considerable proportion of their working men and often included several family members in one strike. It had a devastating effect on the islanders.

A friendly relationship developed between the Faroese and the troops with about 170 marriages taking place between British men and Faroese women. To this day the Faroese people feel warmth towards and a connection with the British people. Until the War, they had always had to sail their trawlers and sloops under the Danish flag, but under occupation it was essential that the British could identify them as 'friendly' so, for the first time in their history, they flew their own flag. After the War, they continued to do so and, even now, people here talk about the immense feeling of pride and ownership which this conferred upon them.

Having learned about the history behind the Faroese nation's support of the British and their allies during the conflict, we feel that they deserve a place among the other 400 memorials which are currently standing at the National Memorial Arboretum in the UK. Our aim is to commission a piece of work to be made locally and then transported there to remind others of this Faroese story.

Contact@fiwmp.com for more info.