Norwegian goes back to wartime Buckie roots
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Konrad Halleraker escaped to Moray on a boat in 1941 after the Nazis invaded his homeland.
He was amongst the large colony of Norwegian exiles who found sanctuary in Buckie as the Second World War tore Europe apart.
It was in the coastal town that Konrad met and fell in love with a local girl called Margaret 'Rita' Gray.
After the conflict ended she went with him back to Norway.
Now, all these years later, the couple's son, Robert Halleraker, has come to Buckie to learn more about his family's past.
Robert, who's aged 75, said: "The last time I was in Buckie I was two or three-years-old. I can't remember anything from that trip.
"I've been to my grandparents' grave and visited St Peter's Church where my parents got married.
"I've also found the name of my mum's brother on the war memorial.
"He was called Robert like me and was killed in 1942."
Accompanying Robert on the visit was his wife, Grete, daughter, Hege, and son-in-law Morten.
Helping to show them around was a local resident who's doing his best to ensure the town's wartime history is not forgotten.
Professor Peter Reid states that Buckie once provided a temporary home to so many refugees it became known as 'Little Norway'.
At the highpoint, the town hosted 800 Scandinavians – a tenth of its 8000 population.
Professor Reid said: "I'd always been aware of the story, right from being a little boy.
"My grandparents are buried in Buckie New Cemetery opposite the gravestone for a six-year-old Norwegian girl.
"It was one of those memories from childhood that stick with you."
Professor Reid added: "Also, my step-grandfather was a Danish fisherman called Johannes Larsen.
"He was out at sea when Denmark was invaded and decided he wasn't not going to fish for the Nazis.
"Like Robert's dad, he sailed here and lived in Buckie.
"I've always had an interest, but it wasn't until 2018 that I started to research the period seriously."
That year marked the 75th anniversary of a royal visit to Buckie by King Haakon VII of Norway.
The king's visit was a huge matter at the time as he had become the focal point of his country's resistance movement, having gone into exile rather than recognising the Nazis' puppet regime.
Recognition has increased significantly in recent years of Buckie's historic role as safe haven.
Twelve months ago a small boat, similar to the ones that carried wartime refugees, sailed to the town from Norway.
In addition, a documentary has also been made for Norwegian TV.
Professor Reid, who works at Robert Gordon University, said: "It's a fascinating story – one that deserves to be better known."
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