Over this upcoming long weekend and Remembrance Day, I’m sure we will all take time to remember and honour all the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers, as we are continually grateful for those in service today and their families. Since we began commemorating this national holiday after World War I, I thought it would be fitting to write a little bit about Newfoundland’s contributions to the Great War, as well as to share a great resource to learn more that I think you’ll appreciate.
For our relatively small size, Newfoundland played an important role in the war effort. In fact, 12,000 Newfoundlanders enlisted, with just as many volunteering and being rejected, and thousands more helping behind the scenes at home. War efforts were primarily centred in St. John’s and Grand Falls, with lots of fundraising efforts throughout the province, and a patriotic spirit that never questioned our involvement, even after heavy losses. In fact, according to Heritage Newfoundland, “Newfoundland proved to be remarkably imaginative in organizing its war effort in spite of a small population and limited resources.”
We all recognize the Royal Newfoundland Regiment for its heroic and tragic involvement in Beaumont-Hamel. I didn’t know, however, that it was first founded in 1795, or that it was significantly involved in the War of 1812. Along with the Battle of the Somme (Beaumont-Hamel), they also fought bravely at Gallipoli. And in fact, to recognize their service at the later battles of Ypres, King George V gave them the ‘Royal’ prefix, renaming them the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. This was only the 3rd time this honourific was bestowed during a time of war, and they were the only regiment to receive it during WWI.
If you are interested in learning more about Newfoundland’s contributions to World War I, I highly recommend that you check out Newfoundland Heritage’s site here. Not only can you find lots of information here, but you’ll also find some pictures, audio and even video of the Regiment training both in Newfoundland and overseas. There’s some pretty interesting footage.
If you’d like to commemorate this Remembrance Day in your community, and you’re in St. John’s, you can see the full schedule of events planned here. Mount Pearl will also be having a parade and ceremony, with more details here. In Torbay, a Remembrance Day Ceremony will be taking place at 11am at the Torbay Veterans’ Memorial Park on Torbay Road. Paradise will be having a parade, and residents can lay a wreath, with more details here. You can learn more about celebrations in CBS at the Monument of Honour here. And Pouch Cove will also be holding a ceremony, and you can learn more here.
I won’t be hosting an Open House this weekend, but remember that I’m always available to answer any of your real estate questions at 682-0744. I also have a mortgage calculator on my home page, and lots of information about buying and selling homes posted on my blog. I sincerely wish you a peaceful and contemplative long weekend, and know many will be sharing a silent moment with me on Monday. God bless.