A SERIES of events are to be held to commemorate the centenary of the biggest naval battle of the First World War.
The UK Government has announced plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland in 1916, which was fought by a Royal Navy fleet based in Orkney.
The battle saw thousands of British sailors lose their lives fighting the German Navy in the North Sea between Denmark and Norway.
Commemorative events will be held in the Orkney Islands on May 31 next year to to honour those on both sides who died in the fighting and to recognise the role of the Royal Navy in the First World War.
Secretary of State John Whittingdale said: “The pivotal role that the Royal Navy played in the war effort cannot be underestimated and we owe a great to debt to those brave souls who gave their lives.
“But behind the scenes of conflict there are also the contribution of Scotland and the people of Orkney who supported the war effort - we must remember their sacrifice too and ensure their stories are told for generations to come.”
Commemorative events will include a service at St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, a wreath-laying ceremony at sea on Jutland Bank by British and German ships and the laying of commemorative paving stones to commemorate the four Victoria Cross recipients from the battle.
Jutland brought together the two most powerful naval powers of the time in the most pivotal engagement of its kind of the war, with 6,000 British and 2,500 German personnel lost.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Joe French, vice-chairman of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said: “The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is honoured to support the commemorations of the Battle of Jutland at Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery in Orkney.
"Our cemetery overlooks Scapa Flow, the home of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet during the First World War.
"As the final resting place of sailors who were buried by their comrades, including many who died as a result of the Battle of Jutland, it is a particularly moving and evocative place."
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