Ted Adie Map

It is always revealing what can be discovered through the Shetland Museum and Archives.

Lieutenant Edward Percival Douglas Adie served with the 16th Canadian Scottish Infantry. He was the son of William and Margaret (née Gray) Adie, of Voe, Shetland, and was born into the prominent Adie family business there.

Edward, known as “Ted”, was living in New Westminster, British Columbia, when the First World War broke out, and went on to have a long record of service during the conflict.

The Shetland Roll of Service records that he was wounded towards the end of the fighting at Bourlon Wood, near Cambrai. He was also awarded the Military Cross, with the award appearing in the London Gazette on 4 October 1919.

The photograph attached shows a map preserved inside his pocket notes booklet. It depicts the Western Front lines around Paillencourt, just north-east of Cambrai — a fascinating and very personal survival from his wartime service.

Ted later became Convener of Zetland County Council from 1938 to 1945. In 1937, he joined the re-formed Shetland Territorials as a Captain and was later promoted to Major in the Shetland Home Defence component of the Gordon Highlanders during the Second World War.

Many Shetland men served with the Colonial forces during the Great War, not least Canada, with many having emigrated just prior to the outbreak of war, or also having been born in Canada to Shetland parents.