1. Newfoundland & the Great War (#4)
NL Studies 2205

2. The Somme….July 1st, 1916 Newfoundland Regiment
Because of the large number of wounded & dead men in the comm trenches from the opening attack, the NL commander orders his entire battalion to go over the top from their reserve trench
With all of the other units either dead, wounded, or taking cover, these men are the only targets the Germans have to shoot at
As they attacked down the slope towards the enemy positions, they were highlighted against the sky making easy targets for the German gunners
Newfoundland & the Great War

3. St. John’s Rd Trench (Start)
Danger Tree
Very few made it past the Danger Tree that summer morning
No Man’s Land
German Positions
Newfoundland & the Great War

4. Newfoundland & the Great War

5. Newfoundland Memorial Park
Newfoundland & the Great War

6. Newfoundland soldiers in St. John’s Road support trench, July 1, 1916
Newfoundland soldiers in St. John’s Road support trench, July 1, 1916.This picture was taken before the start of the attack, July 1,

7. Barbed wire at Beaumont Hamel, 1916.

8. The Somme….July 1st, 1916 Newfoundland Regiment
Within 30 minutes the regiment had been destroyed …not one man was left standing
"It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault failed of success because dead men can advance no further.”
Many of the survivors stayed in No Man’s Land until they could return to their trenches under the cover of darkness
Newfoundland & the Great War

9. Newfoundland & the Great War
Sacrifice
Out of a total attacking force of 801 men, only 68 are available for roll call next morning
Following the disaster, the survivors & new recruits would help rebuild the regiment to fight in other areas along the Western Front
The regiment would later go on to earn the distinction of “Royal” for its gallant action in other battles on the Western Front (the only unit in the British Army to earn that title in the conflict)
Newfoundland & the Great War

10. Newfoundland & the Great War
Sacrifice
Here are some of the significant actions & casualties associated with the NL Regiment on the Western Front
This one includes data on service vs. fatal casualties from the various branches of our armed forces during WWI
Newfoundland & the Great War

11. Newfoundland & the Great War
Legacy
The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in France stands as a monument to those from the colony who gave their lives in the First World War.
It is one of the best preserved WWI battlefields from the Western Front today
Newfoundland & the Great War

12. Newfoundland & the Great War
Legacy
We recognize July 1st of each year as Canada Day but for NLers it was Memorial Day
Many still pause on July 1st to reflect on what happened outside of that small French town nearly 100 yrs ago
Battle of Beaumont-Hamel Remembered (Video Review)
Great Canadian Tour – Canada Day Special (Opening 9 mins)
Memorial Day – Newfoundland & Labrador
Newfoundland & the Great War