The Royal Newfoundland Regiment

July 1st in Newfoundland is also known as Memorial Day to honour the men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at the 1st Battle of the Somme - Beaumont-Hamel. That day in 1916, 801 brave souls arose from the trenches to assault the German lines. The next day, only 64 were left standing. The toll was 255 dead, 386 wounded, and 91 listed as missing.

Less than a year later, April 15th, 1917 was to be another dark day for the families of Newfoundland.

On This Day In Canadian Military History

15 April 1917
Survivors from the Newfoundland Regiment are recovering from a 24-hour mauling at Monchy-le-Preux. The Regiment managed to fight its way to the objective and hold it for a while, but when British units on either side failed to advance with it, the Germans counter-attacked the Newfoundlanders on 3 sides. Today's roll call lists 17 officers and 468 other ranks either dead or wounded.

"It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further." Major-General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle (commander, British 29th Division) regarding the Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont-Hamel.

"Thank God, my left flank is safe! Now for my right." Brigadier General Bernard Freyberg, VC (commander British 88th Brigade), at the Battle of Ledeghem, September, 1918, upon learning that the Newfoundland Regiment held his left flank.

Vimy, Somme, Arras, Ypres, Amiens, Beaumont-Hamel, Passchendaele and many many more are strange names to Canadians of 2007. We must strive to ensure future generations of Canadians appreciate and understand the sacrifices of so many brave souls. Canada began the war as simply another Dominion of the British Empire. At wars end, Canada's signature was added to the Treaty of Versailles, alongside the Great Powers. Canada was the only Dominion to do so. Each stroke of that signature was paid for with the lives of brave Canadian men and women.

Honour them always. Never forget.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment