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Views sought on ambitious plans for new memorial complex to Royal Oak tragedy
28 January 2025
Community leaders in Orkney are looking for views on a planned memorial complex honouring one of the Royal Navy’s greatest 20th Century tragedies.
The loss of battleship HMS Royal Oak – and two thirds of her crew – continues to resonate more than 85 years after she was torpedoed in her wartime anchorage of Scapa Flow.
Ever since Orkney has been a place of pilgrimage for survivors – now sadly all gone – families and descendants, as well as historians.
There is a memorial at Scapa Beach – just outside the Orkney capital Kirkwall and a couple of miles north of the Royal Oak’s last resting place.
Developed with the Royal Oak Association, Orkney Islands Council is looking to give the site a complete overhaul, creating a memorial garden – built around the existing obelisk – and building a visitor centre.
The latter would take on the mantle of the existing HMS Royal Oak memorial building at Scapa - which in the main provides a home for wreaths previously laid at the wreck site. The new centre would provide more space to tell the story of the ship and her crew, as well as act as a quiet place for general contemplation.
In addition a series of memorial plaques are planned, listing the names – 835 sailors, including 134 boy seaman (aged under 18) – of those lost.
Before the project goes any further and funding is sought, the council is consulting both Orcadians with public and online displays, and anyone else with a connection with Royal Oak and the public here.
Gareth Derbyshire from the HMS Royal Oak Association said four years of work had gone into the project so far and resulted in a planned memorial site which was a fitting tribute not just to the Royal Oak, but all who served at Scapa Flow; the huge natural harbour.
He added: “We hope that the public consultation will allow those with a connection to the ship and the public in general to appreciate the potential development of the site and offer the opportunity for feedback which can be used to deliver enhancements to the existing proposals and support the subsequent planning application process.”
A veteran of the Battle of Jutland a generation earlier, HMS Royal Oak was at anchor in Scapa Flow when she was torpedoed by U-47 which had slipped through the base’s defences. Two out of three crew died as the battleship sank in just 13 minutes.
Islanders mark the tragedy each October, while RN vessels visiting Scapa Flow pay their respects and naval divers regularly replace the White Ensign when they inspect the wreck.
Council Convener Graham Bevan said the proposed new memorial would “provide a fitting reminder” of a tragic event in both Orkney’s and the Royal Navy’s history.
He added: “It is fitting, given Orkney's affinity with these events that a suitable memorial should be available, for everyone to remember the event and it is important that in Orkney we make a concerted effort to maintain a suitable quiet place for remembrance and reflection.” I look forward so supporting this project as it develops.”