The Battle of Jutland centenary commemorations

The commemorations in early June 2016 represented the biggest peace-time operation ever mounted in Orkney, requiring complex planning, policing and security arrangements. Tish and I were lucky to get a ring-side view of the events taking place in Kirkwall and the ceremony photos appeared on my Facebook page immediately afterwards, but some are included here for completeness.

Battle of Jutland centenary commemorations – St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, Tuesday 31 May 2016

The “Weeping Windows” poppy installation at St Magnus Cathedral was timed to coincide with the Battle of Jutland commemorations

This view from the rear of the cathedral affords a more open perspective. The circular ‘Rose window” which is just visible is a key Orcadian symbol.

HRH The Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence greet the German President Joachim Gauck accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Orkney, Bill Spence.

dsc_2878-1 — British PM David Cameron and Scottish First Minister Nichola Sturgeon attend the dignitaries.

Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy, 31 May 2016

The royal party and VIPs were then flown out to a service of remembrance at Lyness on the off-lying island of Hoy which served as the naval headquarters for the Grand Fleet and Home Fleet stationed in Scapa Flow during both world wars.

The Cross of Sacrifice, Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy

Kitchener Memorial re-dedication, Marwick Head, Sunday 5 June 2016

Lord Kitchener, British Secretary of State for War, was one of 787 men who died on HMS Hampshire when she struck a German mine on the night of 5 June 1916 in a severe storm off the Orkney coast at Marwick Head. The final stage of the Jutland commemorations was to rededicate the Kitchener Memorial at Marwick Head and to unveil a new memorial listing the names of all the men who died, both on the Hampshire and shortly afterwards when HM Drifter Laurel Crown also struck a mine nearby. Tish and I attended the moving service at Marwick Head held on a beautiful Summer’s evening.