A group of brave young men who lost their lives during a devastating naval battle will be commemorated during a centenary celebration.

This year marks a century since The Battle of Jutland - the only major naval battle of World War One - which claimed the lives of 20 young men from Oldham.

The battle involved 250 ships and around 100,000 men and took place in the North Sea, off the Danish coast, on May 31 1916.

Britain lost 14 ships and more than 6,000 men but were ready for action again the next day. The Germans lost 11 ships and more than 2,500 men and never again seriously challenged British control of the North Sea.

HMS Caroline was one of the British ships involved in the Battle of Jutland

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Amongst the Oldham men who lost their lives during the battle was Ordinary Seaman Fred Read, who was just 17 years old when he died on the HMS Indefatigable.

Acting Leading Stoker Stephen Edward Ackroyd had been married for just three weeks when he tragically lost his life on the HMS Defence.

Among those who survived the battle was one of Oldham’s most famous sons, Olympic swimmer Henry Taylor.

Born in Hollinwood, Henry learnt to swim in Hollinwood Canal and was just seven-years-old when he beat some older boys in a two length race at Oldham Baths.

He became the star of the Chadderton Swimming Club and eventually scooped three gold medals at the 1908 London Olympics - an achievement which wasn’t matched for another 100 years.

The two shattered halves of HMS Invincible, the flagship of the 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, temporarily standing on the seabed after a German shell detonated the midships magazines, blowing the ship in half during the Battle of Jutland

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When the 1916 Olympics were cancelled due to the ongoing World War, Henry signed up for the navy. He was part of the crew of HMS St Vincent which was involved in the Battle of Jutland.

Coun Cath Ball, assistant cabinet member for World War One centenary invited residents are invited to attend and show their respects during a service of remembrance to mark 100 years since the battle at Oldham War Memorial on Tuesday May 31 at 11am.

She said: “Although the Battle of Jutland was the only major naval battle of the war it is seen as a major turning point in the conflict.

“Many Oldham residents bravely played their part and sadly some of them never came home. That’s why it is important that we remember those who served their country.”

For more details on those who lost their lives in the battle visit: www.oldhamremembers.org.uk

Any relatives of those who fought in the Battle of Jutland or anyone with information about the battle is asked to email: oldhamremembers@oldham.gov.uk.

Some of the brave men who lost their lives in The Battle of Jutland