Laurence Edmondston

Laurence graduated from Sandhurst just WWI, and subsequently joined the Royal Scots through which he served in Yemen, India and Burma (Myanmar). While serving in Burma, he developed an interest in big game hunting and collected several record trophies, but shortly thereafter became more a conservationist. His new focus helped create the Hermaness Nature Reserve on his native isle. When he left the army, he joined the Bombay and Burma Teak Company, foresting teak wood in Burma.

The outbreak of WWII saw him immediately rejoin the army, serving in the Middle East and beyond. He was posted back to India in 1944 and was put in charge of Military Police, returning to his Burmese job when the war ended.

When he returned to Shetland, he came with enough teak to build a boat, which he christened Vega. He later also had the Stormalong built. Laurence believe that the Vega had been destroyed in a hurricane after he parted with it, but learned a few weeks before his death that it was still in use in Florida.

Laurence's great-grandfather, Doctor Laurence Edmondston, was a brother to Arthur, the who was elected to lead the first ever inception of the Lerwick Town Council.