Interactive displays unveiled at Lyness cemetery

Interactive visitor information panels are being launched at the Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Hoy, today, Saturday.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) panels will be unveiled during an event to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Jutland – the largest naval battle in history.

On May 31, 1916, the main fleets of the British and German navies clashed on the eastern side of the North Sea, at the Battle of Jutland. For the Royal Navy, Jutland was unprecedented and remains unsurpassed: some 110,000 sailors fought in 150 British and 100 German vessels.

Fourteen British and 11 German warships were lost or damaged beyond repair and more than 6,000 Royal Navy sailors and 2,500 Germans were killed, with many others suffering serious burns and wounds. Despite its losses, the Royal Navy retained command of the sea.

The Lyness panels are among 500 to be installed at CWGC locations worldwide and feature information about the site of the cemetery and a QR (Quick Response) code. When scanned with a smartphone, the QR Code provides access for further information, including the personal stories of some of the casualties buried or commemorated there.