HMS Hampshire

On the evening of Sunday 5 June 2016 there will be a commemoration event at Kitchener’s Memorial in Birsay to mark 100 years since the loss of HMS Hampshire. The sinking of HMS Hampshire resulted in the loss of 737 lives, including that of the Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener. HMS Hampshire sunk around a mile and a half from Marwick Head in Birsay when it struck a mine, laid by a German submarine.

Work has been ongoing to restore Kitchener’s Memorial back to its original condition, whilst a commemorative wall is being built which will list the name of all 737 people who lost their lives. For further information on the restoration project, please visit the Orkney Heritage Society’s website. A link is available from the ‘Related Sites’ section of this page.

The commemorative event will provide an opportunity to rededicate the memorial and to officially unveil the commemorative wall, which will provide a fitting mark of remembrance to all that lost their lives. For further information on the restoration project, please visit the Orkney Heritage Society’s website. A link is available from the ‘Related Sites’ section of this page.

Further information about the service of commemoration can be found in the 'First World War Commemorative Cultural Programme' which can be accessed from the 'Related Links' section of this page.