Live Coverage World War One Remembered: The Battle of Jutland

At the northern tip of Scotland lie the Orkney Islands -

a peaceful, remote place, but a hundred years ago

powerful naval force Britain has ever sent to sea.

During the First World War, the British Grand Fleet,

commanded by Admiral Sir John Jellicoe, was based

a great natural harbour protected on all sides by the Orkney Islands.

Ships stretched as far as the eye could see -

among them the most advanced warships of the day,

From here on May 30th 1916, Jellicoe's fleet sailed to confront

Today the people of Orkney and the Royal Navy will pay tribute

to the sailors who fought in the Battle of Jutland

and remember the thousands who died out there on this one day a hundred

years ago in the cold, grey waters of the North Sea.

Today's commemorations begin just a few miles

from Scapa Flow in Kirkwall, the capital of the Orkney Islands,

Orkney was ruled by Vikings in Scandinavia. The cathedral here, the

magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, was built long ago in the 12th century

in memory of one of the sons of the Norse Earl of Orkney, who was

murdered. When his murder was avenged, this cathedral was built in

memory of him. The most beautiful sandstone from Orkney, the different

colours, red, it array and Brown. Weathered by the winds that blow

around this flat landscape of Orkney, where today, luckily, it's a

fine day with no rain. Inside the cathedral be combination is already

gathered. They are almost all people whose grandparents or

great-grandparents fought at Jutland. They came here because they

applied, saying that this is their family history and they wish to

share in the event. I have talked to many of them and each has a long

story to tell about the involvement of a 16-year-old Midshipman drowned

on a ship, or a grandfather who captained a ship. Here in Kirkwall

they have come to commemorate that event. Outside the cathedral, a

display of poppies, a cascade tumbling from the window. Part of

the display you might member from the tower of London, that

commemorated the beginning of the First World War in 2014, a huge

display. Some of them have been brought here, as indeed, to the

Royal Hospital Chelsea. What we are celebrating is the events of just

one day in 1916. Over 8500 sailors lost their lives

at the Battle of Jutland - For most, their grave is the sea

bed - blown to pieces, horrendously burnt and trapped

behind locked doors and hatches, they died

on their ships as they sank. But they are remembered on war

memorials in Britain's historic On the Plymouth memorial

are the names of brothers Robert They joined the Navy within weeks

of each other in 1910, served together and died together

on HMS Indefatigable. Senior Midshipman Percy Wait

was serving on board HMS Queen Mary when she was hit twice

by the German She sank in less than two minutes

and 1266 sailors lost their lives - His brother, Charles,

was killed a few weeks later Percy is commemorated

on the memorial in Portsmouth. Today, the German and British navies

are joining together. Two ships, on the left, a type 45 daring class,

the newest in the Royal Navy. And on the right, a German Brandenburg.

They will sail out to the North Sea to drop poppies and forget-me-nots

at the sight of the battle. Later at Lyness Cemetery in Orkney there will

be services at the Royal naval Cemetery.

For more than a hundred years after Nelson's victory at the Battle

of Trafalgar in 1805, Britain controlled

The Royal Navy was the most powerful in the world, defending

Britain from invasion and protecting the trade

Any threat to Britain's naval supremacy was a threat to both

A century later, that threat came in the form

of a dangerous new rival - Germany.

Intent on creating a new German Empire,

Kaiser Wilhelm II was determined to build a fleet of

ships capable of challenging the Royal Navy.

It was the beginning of a naval arms race between Britain and Germany.

In 1906 Britain launched the first Dreadnought - a battleship with such

immense firepower that she rendered all other warships obsolete.

From now on Anglo-German rivalry was measured in Dreadnoughts.

Both sides were sure of one thing - sooner or later Der Tag,

as the Germans called it, the day of reckoning between the two

It came one hundred years ago today, 31st May 1916.

Dr Sam Willis, the naval historian whose great grandfather and great

great grandfather both fought in the battle, has been looking

It's impossible for us to imagine the sheer firepower

and scale of some of the battleships in the British Grand Fleet.

The closest equivalent in the Royal Navy today

This is HMS Diamond, a type 45 destroyer,

the very cutting edge of modern naval technology as were so many

Commander Marcus Hember is HMS Diamond's captain.

Well, HMS Diamond's primary role is air defence of a task group

of ships and that's what most of our systems are focused around

so we like to say we can track a cricket ball at Mach-3 and shoot

it down and that's actually not far from the truth.

And am I right in thinking you actually have a particularly

direct link back to 1916 and the Battle of Jutland?

That's right, my mother's father William Crosby served in HMS

Yarmouth during the Battle of Jutland and actually ever

since I first went to sea I've had a photograph of him with me.

Sir, ship's on station ready for call for fire.

The closest modern equivalent to the guns at Jutland is Diamond's

4.5 MOD1 gun, used to support troops landing on shore.

It's so powerful and deafening, I have to wear full

protective gear to experience it from the gun deck.

That's an extraordinary physical experience

I'm very relieved I've got all of this kit on.

In 1916 in the fleet there were 150 ships and some of their guns

The Battle of Jutland began in the afternoon of the 31st

The day before, the British received intelligence that German ships

were planning to move out into the North Sea.

The British had the Grand Fleet commanded by Admiral Sir John

Jellicoe anchored at Scapa Flow, and a squadron of fast ships

commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir David Beatty stationed at Rosyth.

The Germans had the High Seas Fleet under Admiral Scheer with a division

of scouting ships under Vice-Admiral Hipper.

The German plan was to engage Beatty and lure him south

Once Beatty's force had been defeated the Germans

could concentrate their attack on Admiral Jellicoe's ships.

At 2:18pm on 31st May HMS Galatea sighted German ships

and fired the first shot of the Battle of Jutland.

The result was a clash between the most powerful

As they turned their guns on each other, the smoke and explosions made

visibility almost impossible, leading to chaos and confusion.

For the sailors at Jutland it would have been hard enough finding

out what was happening on their own ship let alone

what was happening elsewhere in the fleet.

There would have been an atmosphere of extreme fear as they awaited

the enemy attack - this really was the maritime equivalent

To steal an advantage over their enemy British sailors

took dangerous risks - they kept their magazine doors open

to allow them to reload their guns more quickly.

The effects were catastrophic, allowing flash fires

and explosions to rip through their ships.

At 4:02pm, two German salvoes struck HMS Indefatigable.

23 minutes later, HMS Queen Mary blew apart under German fire.

It took her just ninety seconds to sink.

Over half of the British casualties at the Battle of Jutland

The injuries sustained at Jutland were appalling.

Flash fires in the magazines exposed men to horrific cordite burns.

Sailors were scalded by burst steam pipes which took off their flesh.

As the battle progressed, the Germans continued

But Beatty realised he was sailing into a trap when he spotted

the German High Seas Fleet waiting for him.

Playing the Germans at their own game, Beatty turned north to draw

them back towards Jellicoe and the Grand Fleet.

He organized his ships into a classic tactical move known

This allowed his battleships to bring all their guns to bear

Admiral Scheer now found himself up against the entire

Over the next half an hour an intense firefight raged.

To protect his retreat, he sent his ships in to fire

Faced with a torpedo attack, Jellicoe chose not to chase after

the retreating German fleet and risk losing more British ships.

The Battle of Jutland was the defining naval conflict

The last of the great fleet battles fought by surface ships.

In the end, it turned out to be a strategic victory for the British

although the Germans did launch further attacks, they never again

attempted to challenge the British for dominance of the North Sea

but turned their attention instead to submarine warfare.

The courage and sacrifice of thousands of sailors should not

be forgotten, those men who served bravely on some of the greatest

ships on earth and were lost to the waters of the North Sea.

Sam Willis with his account of the battle. Here, outside the cathedral

in Kirkwall, crowds aren't waiting and the pipers are playing. They are

waiting to see the arrivals of the Princess Royal, the President of

Germany. The Duke of Edinburgh was going to be here but is not

attending on Doctor's orders. I said that many people here are

descendants of those who fought at Jutland. Aasmah Mir is with two of

them. I'm with Janet Smart and Stephen Burton, both descendants of

men who fought at the Battle of Jutland. Janet, you have a

photograph of your grandfather, Alfred Durham. What do you know

about what happened to him? He was sailing on the Invincible. He had

been with it for quite a while and on May 31, the ship was sunk and he

lost his life. This is a wonderful photograph of him looking very young

and fit. And you have a letter that he wrote. Tell us about that. He

wrote this from Scapa Flow on the 24th of May, the day before his

birthday, and I think my grandmother would have got it after he had died.

It is a very moving letter about how much he missed her. And you have a

section that you can read for us? How is my darling feeling? A few

moves now and again. Did you go for a walk after we left or home?

Pleased to be alone for a while? I hope you will forgive me for not

writing before, sweetheart, you know you are never out of my mind. How I

wish I could be with you. You must let me know how you are keeping, my

sweet. I will always be thinking of you, my dear. It is incredibly

moving, letters like thousands of men would have written to their

families. It also says, give my love to my dad and mum and the boys. Love

to you all, all my fondest love and tonnes of kisses from your darling,

you're ever loving Alf. It is something we will treasure forever.

And I'm pleased to be here today to honour all of the sailors who lost

their lives. And another person very pleased to be here is Stephen

Burton. The only found out about your connection to the battle quite

recently. -- you only found out. I had been searching online for

family. I managed to come across some links that pointed to both

George and Robert serving on board HMS Indefatigable. Unfortunately,

the ship was sunk by a German destroyer. And when you found out

about this, how did he make you feel about your family history? More less

curiosity, we have great attachment to our family, and we wanted to find

out about what part of the family served in the armed services and

where they served and what they did. And you have a tribute that their

parents published in the Liverpool Echo. In loving memory of our

darling sons, Robert and George, who gave their lives in the Jutland

Battle, May 31, 1916. Shot dead as they went into action, too soon to

have any fame, just two of the thousands and thousands who, in the

end, exactly the same. And you have come all the way from Australia, it

is clearly very important to you? Yes, it is something I felt I wanted

to do, to honour George and Robert. And basically the service and

courage with which they served their country. Thank you to both of you

and I hope you enjoy your day. The people of the Orkney

Islands have always been This is the harbour at Kirkwall. The

fishing fleet is rather diminished now but still a small fleet. They

welcome huge cruise ships that come and bring visitors.

The Vikings anchored their longships here and for centuries sailors have

found refuge in the sheltered waters and traded with the local community.

The arrival of the Grand Fleet in 1914 with 100,000 sailors had

The arrival of the Grand Fleet in 1914 with 100,000 sailors had a huge

impact on Orcadian life. The local people welcomed

the sailors coming to the islands. Once the Grand Fleet started

using Scapa Flow, as their base there were many tens

of thousands of mouths to feed. So it was a bit of a lifeline

for the Orkney farmers. Cheap imports had led

to a decline in farming. But the navy required constant

supplies of fresh food and farming recovered

to meet their need. Behind me is Scapa Pier and this

is where the fresh produce went out from Orkney to the sailors

from the Grand Fleet. They were supplying them with meat

but also eggs and milk would go out as well,

and also water - they took Captain Brian de Courcy-Ireland

was just 16 when he served We used to go ashore,

we junior midshipmen. And we use to take a sack ashore

and fill up with lobsters and crabs. That was one of the

popular things to do. It was very important the sailors

kept fit, and physical exercises were something

that was greatly encouraged. Sailors would come

ashore on shore leave. There was huge boxing matches

between ships so you were fighting for the honour of your ship

and these were viewed Things like dancing was encouraged

on some ships as well and if you didn't have a partner

you just grabbed another sailor. There was a great feeling

of patriotism towards Orcadians were very happy

that Orkney was playing After the battle, when the dreadful

news of the casualties came through, I think there was probably a more

warm feeling towards the fleet because they were stationed

here so people empathized more with the sailors

and so there was more of a feeling Margaret Tait worked at her family's

framing shop in Kirkwall. Her diary entry after the battle

is read by one of her Last night Jim and I worked

until 11:00pm, putting new glass in a picture

for one of our Fleet men, when Maggie came in and told us

a battle had really taken place What a gloom was cast over

the town and how depressed we all were to think of our noble

ships and brave sailors and officers going down that summer

night on the North Sea. The service in the cathedral today,

which we shall be hearing shortly, is a combined British and German

service. It is designed to tell the story from both sides, not just

prayers and hymns, it reveals through Dai Rees and books and all

the rest the story of what happened -- Dai Rees -- diaries. And you can

see the British flag and the German flag. They will be draped on the

altar at the start of the service. Among these descendants, most of

whom, perhaps all of whom have stories to tell, is Robert

Tomkinson. He was the grandson of Commander Blaine, second in charge

of the Queen Mary. Also here is Benedicta Makin, remembering her

great uncle, Paul Berryman, who was a junior officer on board HMS Malaya

at the battle. Captain Paul Berryman

was my grandfather's brother, and he joined the Navy

when he was 15, and so he Paul was a junior officer

and he joined the Malaya Paul survived but 63 men died

and 68 were wounded. A few weeks later he wrote

to his brother Ted I suddenly saw them open fire

and then splashes Coo - I said - we're off,

and in the next five minutes my It put the fear of God

into you at first to see these bloody great shells falling

all around and the light The bloody awful sight

was seeing our ships going up and steaming over the place

about five minutes afterwards and seeing nothing but bits

of wreckage and a man The explosions on the Malaya

when the cordite exploded were so bad that people couldn't

recognise the bodies afterwards but the total amount he talks

about it was just to say "Of course I've lost heaps of pals but that's

how they all wanted to go." Which is extraordinary

because it was so understated. Researching her family history

has made Benedicta more aware of the human cost

of the Battle of Jutland. It's only when you look at these

photographs of these very, very young men that you realise

the Navy took boys at 14 and 15 and so there were children on these

ships being blown to smithereens With me are two people who have had

a very important role and will have a very important role in the service

this morning. Marcus Christ come at the German Naval Chaplain, and Ian

Wheatley, chaplain of the fleet. What is the theme of the service? It

is more than just commemoration. There is a strong theme of

reconciliation. When we started planning it we realised there was a

strong thread of shared human experience on both sides. We're

talking about reconciliation now and clearly things are so different to

100 years ago with the relationship today between Germany and Britain

very close, not just politically but in terms of the Armed Forces. Yes,

we have close bonds to each other, personal exchange programmes, and we

send officers over to Britain to learn the experience in the British

forces and especially in the Navy. We have strong bonds together and we

even share the same culture. And when you hear the accounts of what

happened, and the enmity there was between the two sides, is it hard to

understand all these years later? It is not hard to understand what they

were feeling about because it is the same what sailors made me feel today

for the in those days they were keen to have the decisive battle and

today we remember the heavy loss of life in those days. And how is this

remembered in Germany? With several occasions in Germany, we have a

remembrance at see right now with the German frigate Brandenburg and

the Royal Navy frigate HMS Duncan. And in Willems Harvin -- Willems

Harvin there are several commemorations. And when planning

the service, how important was it that not only were the two of you

involved and working together but that some of it was in German? That

was critical and we always planned that, we wanted it to be a shared

experience because of the way that sailors on both sides recorded in

their diaries similar feelings during the battle. We tried to

reflect that and use the German language as well as English in the

service itself. And you are both doing readings of course. What is

the theme of them? We wanted to work through the sense of what people

felt and the similarity of it, both the sense of being ready to do their

duty and almost being excited before the battle, and then to show that

the experience was also shared in battle itself. The fear and the

terror and the harsh reality of what they had hoped and looked forward to

was something quite different and we worked hard to capture that. What

about you, Marcus? If you listen to the personal accounts of the

sailors, we realise they are talking about the same thing, both sides.

Thank you very much. We are now waiting for the arrival

of the Royal Marine band from Portsmouth. Here they are, a fine

site coming down from the high Street in Kirkwall. There were five

Royal Marine band 's lost in the battle on Indefatigable, Black

Prince, a black day in the history of the Royal Marines. Today under

the command of Warrant Officer Buster Brown at the front, they are

marching towards the cathedral. Behind them, the Royal guard, 98 men

assembled from right across the Royal Navy, Cornwall, to the new

aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The guard of honour walking in front of the cathedral, past the War

memorial on the right, to both world wars, taking up their place here.

Next to stand there, while the VIPs and VVIPs arrive, the Prime Minister

will be here, so too the First Minister of Scotland. A band of the

German Navy now coming to take its place.

They marched through the streets yesterday, good to see them here

again, playing, the band of the German navy. They will also play

their brass band section in the cathedral. They will be playing

inside the cathedral later. Now it's coming up to 11:20am, and just

around now we should see from the town Hall, the first guests

arriving. The Royal Marines Band now plays The Grand Fleet.

This music they are playing was an especially composed bugle March to

commemorate the Battle of Jutland. It was composed by a member of the

Royal Marines, and it has a written that can be picked up in the Morse

code, RMBS, the Royal Marines Band service. They will be playing until

the Prime Minister, the First Minister of Scotland, the first Sea

Lord, they will come out of the town hall behind.

APPLAUSE If you have just joined us, we are

in the city of Kirkwall in Orkney, where a commemoration of the Battle

of Jutland, 100 years ago, will take place today. Bill Spence, Lord

lieutenant of Orkney comes out, behind him is David Cameron, the

Prime Minister, and Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland. Philip

Jones, the first Sea Lord, chief of the Naval staff, and Fai Sandra

Bullock vice and Admiral Andreas Krause of

the federal German Navy. They are escorted by Admiral John Weale.

Sadly we do not know what they are talking about. This has been

carefully choreographed, the event itself has taken 18 months in the

planning to find ways of making the commemoration appropriate, and a

service that is appropriate. In a moment the Princess Royal and

Vice-Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will appear. They stayed in Kirkwall last

night. Vice-Admirals Tim Laurence and the

Princess Royal being greeted by the Lord lieutenant.

The Princess Royal is Chief Commandant for women in the Royal

Navy, and now the president of Germany. Elected as President four

years ago, Joachim Gauck. He was to have met the Duke of Edinburgh here,

but the Duke of Edinburgh, as I said earlier, on Doctor's advice, he will

not be taking part in the events here today.

Now the formalities will begin with the Royal Salute and the two

national anthems. The commander of the guard is

presented to the German president. I don't think they will have a formal

inspection, just welcomed here to Kirkwall. And at the doors of the

cathedral, as they passed the cascade of poppies on the left-hand

side of the entrance door, at the doors they will be received by

Fraser MacNaughton, the Minister of St Magnus Cathedral. He has been

involved in the planning of this event and is very proud of the role

the cathedral is taking in it. He is particularly concerned, he said,

that he should be here as somebody to give a friendly and family

welcome to all the visitors who come here. Because this is his home, he

has been here 14 years. The Princess Royal and German

president go past the poppies and the band.

Ceramic poppies, one made for each of the British and Commonwealth

Armed Forces killed in the First World War. Fraser MacNaughton in

blue, greeting the guests as they arrive at the door. And the

venerable Ian Wheatley, Chaplain of the Fleet, and the German naval

chaplain, Militardekan Marcus Christ.

Inside the cathedral, the combined were unable and German naval brass

ensemble playing Scapa Flow. -- combined Royal Naval Reserve.

The choir now sinking him to Saint Magnus -- singing a hymn. And being

sung in Latin. Whether you come from

north or south, east or west, whether you live

here or are a visitor, are here for the first time

or are here regularly, Your presence enriches

us in this time of commemoration and

reconciliation together. It is fitting that

we gather here, 100 years after the Battle of Jutland,

in the most northerly cathedral in the UK, dedicated to St

Magnus, a seafaring man and

Earl of Orkney, who himself made the ultimate

sacrifice in the cause of peace. Scapa Flow is one of

the great natural harbours, where for centuries mariners have

sought sanctuary from the hostile waters of the Atlantic Ocean

and the North Sea. During the First World War,

the Royal Navy based the British Grand Fleet

in its vast sheltered anchorage. It was from here, in May 1916,

that those warships sailed to The British and German navies

fought a terrible battle at Jutland Bank in the North Sea,

and thousands of lives were lost. Today, 100 years later,

representatives of our two countries The deepest moments

that make us more fully human, that recognise

the worth of life and the value of what

people do, are not found in victory parades

or in great speeches The deepest moments

that make us more fully human, that recognise

the worth of life and the value of what

people do, are not found in victory parades

or in great speeches by world leaders, in

the noise of conflict or the Die bedeutendsten

Augenblicke, an den wir unser Menschsein spuren,

sind die Momente Denn nur in der Stille

findet das Gedenken The deepest moments

that make us more fully human are the

moments we find filled For only in silence

does remembrance live. Moge Gottes Stille und

Frieden auf uns ruhen und seine Gegenwart unser

Leben durchdringen. May God's stillness

and peace rest upon us. May God's presence

permeate all our living. # Whose arm hath

bound the restless wave, # Who bade the mighty ocean deep

Its own appointed limits keep; # Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea! # Whose voice the waters heard

And hushed their raging at Thy Word, # Who walked upon the foaming

deep, # And calm amidst the

storm didst sleep; # Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea! # Who didst brood

Upon the waters dark and rude, # And bid their angry tumult cease,

And give, for wild confusion, peace; # Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,

For those in peril on the sea! The Chaplain of the Fleet, the

venerable Ian Wheatley, begins the account of the Battle of Jutland

that'll go throughout this service. The Grand Fleet's move

to Orkney in 1914 was a huge operation,

and had a significant effect on the local economy

and infrastructure. The scale of activity

and the unusual sights Kirkwall resident and picture

framer Margaret Tait recorded this in her diary,

as recounted by her All the windows facing Scapa have

got to be darkened at night. Also all those facing the sea

at Kirkwall and nobody allowed along the sea-front after dark -

which rule is often broken, The streets are very poorly lighted

up and as for the lanes and back As a result of all this

darkness there's no comfort In March 1915 she recalled

the impressive sight in her diary. "I went down to see the ships

in the Bay as I was told there were more ships coming

and going to Kirkwall at present than comes and goes

to the ports of London. It was a lovely sight,

the ships stretched right across the Bay as far as Finstown,

and were all lighted up making it Truly a fine sight and

well worth seeing." Scapa may have become

a 'city of ships', but for those allowed ashore

on leave, there was To relieve the boredom for sailors,

inter-ship rowing regattas and athletics were

organised, and football pitches were created

on Flotta alongside a rudimentary golf

course for officers. The merchant ship SS

Ghourko was fitted with a cinema and a

boxing ring, and men organised amateur

dramatics and dances While the sailors of

the Grand Fleet kicked their heels in Orkney,

sea battles were being fought around the globe

in the Pacific, South Atlantic and Indian

Oceans and, closer to home, in the Heligoland

Bight and over the Nor was it just the sailors of the

Royal Navy who risked their lives. Many of those in peril on the sea

were merchant sailors: civilians who played a vital role supplying

the nation and the armed forces with food and supplies

and transporting troops and equipment to every

theatre of war. They too were at risk every time

they sailed, from mines, Around 3,000 merchant ships

and fishing boats were sunk with the loss of more than 15,000

lives during the course of the war. Captain Frederick Parslow,

Master of the SS Anglo Californian,

a horse transport vessel, was posthumously awarded

the Victoria Cross for his courage in the face

of danger when his One of his shipmates,

James Davies, described the "I had just had my breakfast

and was walking along the deck when I sighted a grey object

about four miles away. Shortly after, I made out

the conning tower of a submarine and minutes later a shot was fired

at the vessel but passed over. We all rushed for lifebelts

and stood in our Then I saw the sub signal

by flags and I was told their message was,

"Get into your boats; The Captain, however,

was determined not to abandon ship, whereupon

another signal from the sub, "If you do not

want your lifeboats, we Then the Captain shouted

"Every man for himself", and I jumped into the water without

a lifebelt on and was swimming about two-and-a-half hours

before being picked up. When I was about to put my lifebelt

on, the Captain shouted to me to undo some ropes

and I put my lifebelt down When I looked for it again

it had gone. A minute later the Captain

was blown to bits." Set me as a seal upon thine heart,

as a seal upon thine arm; for love

is as strong as death, the coals of fire, which hath

a most vehement flame. neither can floods drown

it: if a man would give all

the substance of his house for love, We will now hear the Golden

Solstice. MUSIC: The Golden Solstice

by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. # And to harness

the passion of oxen. # Time for the urn

to be to be emptied. # Time for the hill to be

smitten with willed fire. # Time for a hundred

jars to be gathered. # Indeed it is time

to forsake this ebb. # Time for the bird to seek

the golden solstice # The Golden Solstice

by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Now a narrative dialogue of sailors'

experiences at Jutland, a dialogue between two nations.

Anticipation for a decisive naval battle was high on both sides.

After months of relatively small scale actions, sailors hoped that

a real trial of naval power was upon them.

On a calm summer's evening of 30th May, just about cocktail time,

the Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Jellicoe in the Iron Duke,

hoisted the momentous signal, QP or in plain language,

"Raise steam for Fleet Speed and report when ready to proceed!"

Though we had received the same order many times before,

it never failed to raise a thrill of wild excitement

in the expectation that this time perhaps, Der Tag,

as we had called it, had dawned at last.

I went to my cabin, lay down for a siesta,

watched the blue rings from my cigar, and dreamed

If only it came to gunnery action this time!

My whole career seemed so incomplete, so much of a failure

if I did not have at least one opportunity of feeling in battle

on the high seas what fighting was really like.

Blow for blow, shot for shot - that was what I wanted.

The Midshipman crew marvelled that the site of the Grand Fleet leaving

the Scapa Flow... The grey monsters wheeled

in succession round us and followed out to sea with that uncanny

precision and silent majesty which marks the departure to sea

of a perfectly trained fleet. A more powerful exhibition

of majestic strength and efficiency devised solely for the utter

destruction of the enemy, it I was a part of this huge machine

and firmly convinced that the machine was invincible

if not even invulnerable. Our commander was confident in his

Navy's gunnery skills. I was possessed by a burning desire

to engage our proud Derfflinger in action with an English

battlecruiser worthy of her. Day and night this

thought never left me. I pictured to myself how every

salvo from the enemy was replied to by one from us,

how the fight became ever faster and more furious,

and how we struggled together like two mighty warriors who both

know well enough that only one Cameron Dow now sings Lonely Scapa

Flow. # Do you recall my dear how once,

you walked with me, # Across the warm brown hills,

towards the shining sea? # And how we lingered long

upon the Shore to see # Beloved ships come

sailing up the Flow # But that was yesterday,

for now they come no more, # Among the small green

isles, # And so we linger sadly,

by an empty shore, # And shed a tear

for lonely Scapa Flow. # We saw them anchored proudly

as the Sun went down, # And heard a far off bugle

from the old Renown. # And o'er the gleaming water,

like a brave new town, # A thousand port lights

winked in Scapa Flow # But that was yesterday,

for now they come no more, # Among the small green isles,

where oft they lay of yore, # And so we linger sadly,

by an empty shore, # And shed a tear

for lonely Scapa Flow. # And for a while we walk not

on that darkened shore, # No winking port lights then,

to glint the wave tops o'er. # And there were those who came

who will return no more. # Who are asleep

in lonely Scapa Flow. # But that was yesterday,

for now they come no more, # Among the small green isles,

where oft they lay of yore, # And so we linger

sadly, by an empty shore, # And shed a tear

for lonely Scapa Flow. # And so we linger sadly,

by an empty shore, # And shed a tear for

lonely Scapa Flow # This sense of apprehension

was replaced by the implementation of the hours of practice

and engagement drills which prepared each man

for the commencement of battle. Midshipman John, aged 19, was

already a veteran of the previous year's action at the dogger bank.

At half past three, tea was piped for the hands.

That means the Bosun's Mate went around and just shouted

I woke up and slouched off towards the Gun Room where I hoped

Almost immediately - I'd hardly got up - when the bugles went,

That meant I had to run off as fast

Captain of the German Battlecruiser Seydlitz recalls the first sight of

the British Battlecruiser s. The British light cruisers came

in view, and behind them Then tripod masts and huge hulls

loomed over the horizon. There they were again,

our friends from the Dogger Bank. Commander the honourable Barry

Bingham in HMS Nestor, finding himself, along with other British

and German destroyers, between the two main battle fleets.

My yeoman-of-signals reported; "German battleships on the horizon,

I was dumbfounded to see that it was, in truth, the main body

of the German High Seas Fleet, steaming at top speed

and following the wake of their own battle cruisers.

Their course necessarily led them past the Nomad.

They literally smothered the destroyer with salvos.

I shall never forget the sight of what was in store for us

there was now not the vestige of a doubt.

From an affair of outposts, the situation had suddenly developed

into what could well be the decisive action of the whole war.

A drama of unparalleled grandeur and significance

the full implications were not yet clear.

The most powerful figure on the stage was as yet

unrevealed to them, Jellicoe, with his mighty array

still pressing southwards, desperate to get into the battle

and avid for every scrap of information.

One of the ships that Bingham could see was the German battleship

Heligoland Bight on board which Seaman record of the facts of the

British gunfire. What kind of a strange

sound was this? "Crash, crash", the sound

reverberated. It was the death cry

of an English shell! I fell down on the deck

and listened. I noticed that the floor vibrated

slowly and sang at each crash. It was loud or quiet,

depending on the distance The engines shook like

a machine gun. Deep in our hearts we were

all afraid and tried Leading signalman Charles Farmer was

working aloft when an explosion claimed HMS Indefatigable. He was

one of only two survivors of a ship 's company of 1019.

There was a terrific explosion aboard the ship

I saw the guns go in the air just like matchsticks - 12 inch guns

Within half a minute the ship turned over and she was gone.

I was 180 foot up and I was thrown well clear of the ship,

otherwise I would have been sucked under.

The choir are now going to sing Sunset, originally composed by the

bandmaster of the Royal Marine and on-board HMS Hercules at Jutland.

# We often think of those we love

# And all of those who've gone before,

The awful reality of a full scale sea battle was soon realised

Chaplain of the battleship HMS Ajax reflected the thoughts of many.

The next morning broke misty and dull as the evening before;

the noise of gunfire which had resounded at intervals

during the night had died away; a light breeze was beginning

to spring up, and already stirred the waves to leap mercifully

upon all the flotsam, human and other, and sink it

So many gallant men and jovial comrades gone!

Men to whom we had been talking only a few days before,

when we went aboard their ships or they visited us.

Old shipmates, old station-mates; men who had pulled in boat races

against our men: partners at golf, people of the same term at Osborn,

And all men of the same loves and hatreds as ourselves,

the same tastes and ways, the same weaknesses,

and the same joy in living: what had we done that they should

Those who served between the decks in the battle would have been eager

for details, as a seaman recalled. The first thing I did

was to climb down to survey Good God, how things

looked down there! If I had not seen it myself it

would have been impossible to picture the confusion

which prevailed. The hole itself could no longer be

seen because it had been patched up with mattresses,

blankets, boards and beams. The water still stood about a foot

deep in the compartment. Naturally the lookouts

were bombarded with all sorts Those who had witnessed the battle

had to repeat the entire story over and over

until of the men was satisfied. # Bless the Lord, my soul,

and bless his holy name. # Bless the Lord, my soul,

he rescues me from death.# We light this Candle

in Remembrance and Hope, to call to mind Magnus and Rognvald,

and all the saints, all those dear to us

who have gone before, and today, all those who made

the ultimate sacrifice in the Naval And as a sign of hope to future

generations, as yet unborn. Jesus said, "I am the Light

of the World. Whoever follows me shall

not walk in darkness # Bless the Lord, my soul,

and bless his holy name. # Bless the Lord, my soul,

he leads me into life.# First lesson of St John, chapter

four. Dear friends, let us practice loving each other because love comes

from God. Those who are loving and kind show that they are children of

God and that they are getting to know him better. But if a person is

not loving and kind, it shows they don't know God, for God is love.

Dear friends, since God loves us so much, we surely ought to love each

other too for though we have not yet seen God, when we loved each other,

God lives in us and his love within us grows ever stronger.

# For a just and equal sharing of the things that earth affords.

# To a life of love in action help us rise and pledge our word.

# Lead us forward into freedom, from despair your world release,

# That, redeemed from war and hatred,

# Show us how through care and goodness

# All that kills abundant living, let it from the earth be banned:

# Pride of status, race or schooling,

# You, Creator God, have written your great name on humankind;

# For our growing in your likeness bring the life of Christ to mind;

# That by our response and service earth its destiny may find.

Male mighty and merciful God bless you, the father, the son and holy

spirit. Amen. This service of commemoration of the

Battle of Jutland 100 years ago, in the cathedral of St Magnus at

Kirkwall in Orkney. It ends with Solo Piper and decamped playing In

There Will Be The Laying Of Wreaths Outside. Tim Laurence, The Princess

Royal's Husband, Will Be Going Later To The Cemetery at Lyness. And now

we hear another piece of music played by Raymie Peace of the

Kirkwall city pipe band. President Gauck, who read in both

German and English, familiar with the words of the service, for many

years he was a pastor in an evangelical church. He was born in

east Germany in Rostock in 1940. A few words about this war memorial,

which remembers Kirkwall men and women who fought in the Second World

War, as well as the First World War, as well as in the merchant service.

And the people of Kirkwall, who have been anticipating this day, the

shops on the high street have all got displays of red poppies.

Everybody has turned out to do their bit, remembering this Day 100 years

ago. And the Princess Royal, who is here,

standing in, so to speak, she was going to be here anyway, but she's

standing in for her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, who is not here on

docked' Doctor's advice. The pipes play

again. The Prime Minister saying goodbye.

The Girl Scouts, who were handing out the programmes earlier. We have

commemorated here this morning, a battle between two giant navies, the

British and German, in the wastes of the North Sea. Nobody could claim

for certain to be the victor. But after that, one of those giants, the

German giant, retreated into its lair and never came out again. The

battle killed more than 8500 people. We will have more from Orkney and

the ceremonious at Lyness Cemetery. We will see poppies and

forget-me-nots dropped onto the site of battle in the North Sea later. We

will be back with that later on BBC Two at 7pm. We hope you can join us

then. For now, we leave Kirkwall with the memories of today from

three of those who survived. I had never seen so many ships in one area

of my life before. You could see the flashes of the guns, and the noise.

The whole thing was like 100 thunderstorms running into one

another and going off at once. The ship turned right over, it threw me

into the water. Luckily I was at the top of the mast, otherwise I would

be sucked under. I was swimming about, practically unconscious. I

was turning over, really. I came to the top of the water, and about half

an hour afterwards, German cruisers came along. I docked my head down.

If they had seen me they would have probably shot at me. They would have

done. You are not allowed to pick up survivors. The first thing that

happened of any incidents was the Queen Mary, we heard the explosion.

The oi turret started to dip and the oi part

Ship. A few men jumped off the stern into the water. She went up with a

terrific bang. The most, what shall I say... Outstanding site I saw was

when the Invincible went down, she blew up with a vast explosion and

went down like a flaming letter V. Hundreds of men struggling in the

water. We steamed through the spot, and as we did so, the smell of

cordite and the gas from the shells, and burning bodies. That was the

only time I think, I wouldn't say frightened, but it was the only time

I felt really bad and I had a nasty feeling in the pit of my stomach.

People were afraid of her political convictions -

Dear Mama, last night we had nearly four inches of rain.

People can be seen going about fetching bread and other things

on floating sofas or wooden bedsteads.

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