Wartime memories of Norwegian airmen to be stirred by visit

People with memories of the Norwegian airmen based in Fife during the Second World War are invited to meet serving squadron members on Sunday.

Around 15 members of the 333 Squadron Royal Norwegian Air Force are to visit Wormit during a fortnight of exercises at RAF Lossiemouth.

Woodhaven pier is considered the birthplace of the squadron, which was formed there on February 8 1942.

The visitors will be welcomed on Sunday by members of Wormit Boating Club and shown where the squadron’s Catalina flying boats were beached for maintenance, as well as other surviving infrastructure. The group will also see the RAF standard and veterans’ plaque in Wormit Parish Church.

The owners of restored Sandford House, Evelyn Hardie and Ralph Webster, will also show them around the hotel which was provided as a rest home for the Norwegians by Lady Bluebell Walker.

The boating club hopes local residents with childhood memories of the Norwegians at Woodhaven will join them for a get-together in its clubhouse at 4pm.

During the Second World War the squadron flew Catalina flying boats from Woodhaven on clandestine reconnaissance and anti-submarine missions.

It returned to Norway in 1945 but a tradition of flying the Norwegian flag in Wormit on the squadron’s anniversary and on Norwegian national days has continued.

Evelyn and David Winch, who produced a documentary album to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the squadron last year, will give a talk to the Newport History Group in Blyth Hall, Newport, on May 1.