Lyness facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lyness |
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.jpg) Approaching Lyness ferry terminal |
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 Lyness
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| OS grid reference | ND305942 |
| Civil parish | |
| Council area | |
| Lieutenancy area | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | STROMNESS |
| Postcode district | KW16 |
| Dialling code | 01856 |
| Police | Northern |
| Fire | Highlands and Islands |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Lyness is a small village located on the east coast of Hoy island in Orkney, Scotland. It sits where two roads, the B9047 and B9048, meet. Lyness is part of the Walls and Flotta area.
This village has an interesting history, especially linked to the sea. In the 1920s, Lyness was a busy place. It was the main base for a company called Cox and Danks. This company worked to salvage, or raise, parts of the German High Seas Fleet. These ships had been sunk on purpose by the Germans in 1919 in Scapa Flow.
During the Second World War, Lyness became a very important naval base. It was known as HMS Proserpine. This base supported the many navy ships stationed in Scapa Flow.
Today, Lyness is still connected by sea. An Orkney Ferries Ro-Ro car ferry operates from here. It links Lyness to Longhope on South Walls. It also connects to the island of Flotta in Scapa Flow and Houton on Mainland, Orkney.
The Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery is a special place of remembrance. It was first opened in 1915 during World War I. Its main purpose was to serve the large naval base at Scapa Flow. The base closed in 1946.
Who is Buried Here?
Many service members from different countries are buried at Lyness.
- There are 445 service personnel from the British Empire and Commonwealth of Nations. Most of them were from the Royal Navy.
- 109 of these individuals from World War I are unidentified.
- 200 are from World War II, with 8 of them unidentified.
- The cemetery also holds the graves of 14 German Navy sailors.
- Four other German service personnel are buried here, including an unidentified Luftwaffe airman.
- There is also one Norwegian war grave.
- In addition, 30 British service members who died outside of wartime are buried here. This includes two unidentified British Army soldiers.
Ships Remembered
Several major naval ship losses are connected to the graves at Lyness. These include:
- HMS Hampshire (lost in 1916)
- HMS Vanguard (lost in 1917) – 18 people from this ship are buried here.
- HMS Narborough (lost in 1918)
- HMS Opal (lost in 1918)
- HMS Royal Oak (lost in 1939) – 26 people from this ship are buried here.
