Battle of Jutland

This weekend is the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Jutland, the only major sea battle of World War 1, so I popped down to South Queensferry to see the commemorations.

More than 100,000 men aboard 250 ships engaged in the Battle of Jutland which was fought over 7 hours between 31 May and 1 June 1916.

In that time, more than 8,500 lost their lives.

The British naval fleets sailed from their bases at Scapa Flow and Rosyth to attack the German High Seas Fleet which had just ventured out from Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.

The Getman navy lost 11 ships and suffered more than 2,500 casualties. But the British sustained heavier losses including 14 ships and more than 6,000 casualties.

Despite this, it was considered a strategic victory because the Germans no longer represented a major danger to British interests.

When the British ships returned, the dead and wounded were taken ashore for burial and treatment. South Queensferry is the final resting of many of them.

We must never forget the bravery and ultimate sacrifice made by so many, and that is why it is vital that commemorations take place.