31 May 2016
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took part in a number of events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland.
The battle involving around 250 ships took place on 31 May and 1 June 1916 off the coast of Denmark and claimed the lives of more than 8,000 seamen.
It was the largest naval battle of World War One and was the only time that British and German fleets of Dreadnought battleships met in combat.
Everything you need to know about the Battle of Jutland ahead of its centenary https://t.co/JqCPd8AKva
— Sky News (@SkyNews) May 30, 2016
The first commemorative events took place in Rosyth, where the battlecruiser fleet was based in 1916, and saw the laying of wreaths and local schoolchildren carrying out readings on behalf of the community. It was followed by a poignant minute’s silence saw the ringing of a bell made from the hull of HMS Tiger, a battlecruiser which suffered only light damage during the Jutland campaign despite suffering many hits by German shells.
HRH The Princess Royal & FM Nicola Sturgeon to join descendants at #Jutland100 events in #Rosyth & #Queensferry pic.twitter.com/Cr9jpnUbwH
— WW100Scotland (@WW100Scotland) May 28, 2016
Shortly afterwards, a further act of remembrance took place in South Queensferry Commonwealth War Graves Commission’s Cemetery where 40 casualties from the battle are commemorated or buried.
Singer Barbara Dickson, whose uncle was killed in the Battle of the Somme, sang the Scottish lament ‘Flowers of the Forest’ as a wreath was laid by HRH on behalf of the nation to remember those lost.
The Royal Marine Band perform at South Queensferry #Jutland100 @WW100Scotland pic.twitter.com/pzuA97L9nV
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) May 28, 2016
FM @NicolaSturgeon arrives at Hawes Pier – part of the @WW100Scotland #Jutland100 commemorations pic.twitter.com/y0m6MUstr5
— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) May 28, 2016
The Royal Navy’s Grand Fleet was based at Scapa Flow in Orkney, where a service also took place at St Magnus Cathedral before a ceremony at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery at Hoy, where over 400 Commonwealth servicemen and German sailors from the First World War are buried.
The events remembered those who lost their lives during the battle, and paid tribute to the role of the Royal Navy and all those involved in the war at sea throughout the First World War.
The commemorations also focused on the theme of reconciliation with Germany and emphasise the vital role that Scotland, and the Orkney Islands in particular, played in the UK’s war efforts.
David Cameron, Nicola Sturgeon and Princess Anne arrive in Orkney to mark centenary of the Battle of Jutland pic.twitter.com/XIbTNCMqua
— Press Association (@PA) May 31, 2016
Orkney service pays tribute to 8,648 sailors who died during Battle of Jutland https://t.co/Qaw5nOnBOY #Jutland100 https://t.co/SaHk9qbGse
— BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) May 31, 2016
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“This centenary commemoration is an opportunity for us to honour and pay tribute to the many thousands of sailors from both sides who lost their lives during the Battle of Jutland. The sacrifices made by those who fought in this battle, the largest naval encounter of the First World War, and by other seafarers throughout the conflict must never be forgotten.”