A Shetland writer in the World War 1 trenches

Shetland Library is to host an afternoon talk about Jack Peterson.

Jack’s poetry was used in last year’s Shetland Youth production, In the Still of the Night have We Wept, writes Cameron Avery.

The talk and readings will be delivered by Dr Mark Smith of Shetland Museum and Archives as part of a joint project to bring Shetland’s war history to a wider audience which is supported by the Public Library Improvement Fund.

Jack Peterson in the 1940s (Photo courtesy of Shetland Museum and Archives)

Some of Jack Peterson’s letters feature in Safely Wounded—a collection of letters from Shetland’s war – which was published by the Library in 2015.

Dr Smith said: ‘Jack Peterson was one of the few Shetlanders to produce creative writing about his war experiences.

After serving in the Seaforth Highlanders from 1916 -1919, Peterson wrote two books of poems which reflect on his experiences. He also wrote a novel which was never published.

The event is free and is being held in the Old Library on Tuesday 6 February, from 4-5pm.