Relatives of Battle of Jutland seamen asked to share stories

The Battle of Jutland was the largest sea battle in naval warfare history

Relatives of the seamen who fought in the Battle of Jutland have been asked to share their stories to mark the centenary of the largest naval battle of World War One.

Imperial War Museums (IWM) is seeking contributions for a permanent digital memorial, Lives of the First World War.

More than 8,000 men died off the coast of Jutland, Denmark, in the 36-hour battle which began on 31 May 1916.

Both sides claimed victory with Germany losing 11 ships and Britain 14.

However, the German surface fleet failed to significantly challenge the British again during the war.

The British Grand Fleet had sailed from Rosyth, Cromarty and Scapa Flow to repel the German High Seas Fleet fighting to break a British blockade.

Battle of Jutland facts:

The British lost 14 ships and the Germans lost 11

• The British flagship was HMS Iron Duke which was under the command of Admiral Jellicoe

• It is also the battle which the Queen's father - the then Prince Albert, Duke of York - took part in. He was mentioned in despatches for his action as a turret officer aboard HMS Collingwood

• Both sides claimed victory

The war at sea: 1914-18

TV broadcaster and naval historian Dan Snow said: "Jutland is one of the greatest sea battles of all time.

"It decisively affected the outcome of the First World War and thus the course of the 20th century.

"It was the apogee of 400 years of naval warfare which saw battleships fire guns at each other; the last major battle before the advent of aircraft changed war at sea forever.

"The experience of the men involved or the terrible fate of those sailors trapped on doomed ships deserve to be remembered.

"Digital memorials like Lives of the First World War help to ensure that they will be."

31st May 1916: HMS Lion (left) is shelled and HMS Queen Mary, (right) is blown up by German shells during the Battle of Jutland

The memorial currently includes a memoir from Signalman Reuben Poole, who was among the seamen rescued from the stricken HMS Warrior and taken to Scotland for recovery on 2 June 1916.

He said: "The wounded were passed across the starboard after gun turret to the (HMS) Engadine.

"One unfortunate wounded man fell between the two crashing ships.

"Bravely, Lieutenant FJ Rutland, the seaplane pilot of Engadine, risked being crushed to death and went over the side to rescue the wounded man.

"The Albert medal was awarded to Lieutenant Rutland for his gallant act. To me Scotland was a beautiful sight after the horrors of the battle."

Last month, a display of thousands of ceramic poppies was installed in Orkney as part of war commemorations.

The 'Poppies: Weeping Window' installation is at St Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall until June to remember 100 years since the Battle of Jutland.

A ceremony was also held in Invergordon to remember the battle.

A ceremony was held in Invergordon to remember the Battle of Jutland