Following on from the unfortunate cancellation of the shipment on route to quarantine in Prestwick and then on to Canada, ‘ Benjie’ writes to Colonel Dailley 12th November 1979.
“However, to return to the stage where the export of the sheep was off Mr McNair Divisional Veterinary Officer from DAFS was satisfied that there was no reason to stop the sheep from being shipped to the mainland. I assume this information was elicited by Miss Storey and passed on to you and fortunately your telegraph arrived a day or so before I intended to turn them loose”.
A very close shave indeed to the premature end of the epic journey to the new world, there is no record of the telegram in the documents but thankfully it made it just in time. With the arrival of the telegraph which advised ‘Benjie’ of the next step ‘ Benjie ‘took the decision to send the shipment down to Devon in the care of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust who would take care of the sheep, whereon they would eventually be transported to Canada. On the 2nd of November 1979 the hardy flock of 28 ewes and four rams left their native shores on what turned out to be a remarkable journey following in the footsteps of their human counterparts who set sail to settle in the New world. The shipment details were 5 Blue Grey ewes, 3 Black ewes, 9 Moorit ewes, 13 White ewes, 2 Grey Rams, 1 Moorit Ram, and 1 white ram. All inspections satisfactorily completed including classing by two of the leading Flock Book sheep breeders, and in the company of the eventual owner Colonel Dailley who had travelled over from Canada to inspect his investment.
On the 3rd of March 1980 the Rare breeds Survival Trust advised ‘ Benjie’ “ As you know, we have agreed to maintain the sheep purchased by Colonel Dailley for export to Canada, due to the slight outbreak of Orf just before they were scheduled to go into quarantine last autumn. My arrangement with Colonel Dailly was that we would arrange the mating of the sheep, and keep them until shipment next summer, and would receive the 1980 lamb crop by way of payment”.
There now follows a fairly lengthy exchange of letters regarding lambing percentages on the hills in Shetland, and the more fertile greener pastures of the U.K. mainland. This whole project of exporting Shetland sheep was a quite unfortunate prolonged and no doubt stressful experience for all concerned. However due to the fact that the sheep were maintained by the R.B.S.T. and that their expertise and access to their Shetland rams surely meant that there was a greater selection of blood lines and colour to colour, for example ( Moorit to Moorit), available to all interested parties involved in the well- being of Shetland sheep on the mainland.
In September 1980 ‘ Benjie ‘ had to provide more detailed information for the Ministry of agriculture the flock had to be blood tested once again prior to shipping, from England to Canada. I am pleased to say that the flock of ardent travellers, minus 1 who sadly passed away due to an accident, finally arrived at their new home in Canada on 2nd December 1980.
In a letter to ‘Benjie’ 22nd October 1983, Gordon Dailey writes, “despite losing one season when the flock was left in Devon we have now 177 in our flock. They are doing wonderfully well and more and more wonderful colours are appearing”.
July 20th 1984 ‘Benjie’ replies to a request from the Colonel for more stock to be sent from Shetland, “I am afraid that I would not be able to supply ewes next year even if it were possible to short circuit the official ruling, which I doubt, as I have been obliged for health reasons to transfer two of my crofts and stock to my son. That leaves me with only a small unit which is more or less a hobby. I trust that the R.B.S.T. will meet your requirements for 1985. I am very pleased to know that the sheep which eventually got to Canada are doing so well and if I can be of any further assistance by supplying a few ewes of any particular colour to the R.B.S.T. in order to meet your colour requirements, these could go with the rams if required and subject to arrangements being finalised”.
Studying the numerous letters and documents pertaining to this project one can only have the highest regard and respect for the hard work and dedication of ‘Benjie’, Colonel Dailley and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in their prolonged but successful completion of introducing our native Shetland sheep from the heather clad hills of North Nesting and Vidlin to their new home in Canada a truly remarkable fete.
I will put together a blog based on ‘Benjie’s’ archives of what one should look for in native Shetland sheep plus some interesting points at a later date. I would like to once again thank Peter Hunter and his family for giving me the opportunity to put in writing the words and deeds of one of Shetland’s most able sheep men; it is a great honour and privilege to bring his work to a much wider international audience.
My Life with Shetland Wool 
Another great read Oliver, thank you much for the trouble you take with these posts.
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