This past weekend we were back in Newfoundland, mostly for the wedding of our best buddies Rebecca and Piers, but also to hang out with family for Thanksgiving festivities. We also managed to make a trip to The Rooms museum on Sunday, to see their latest exhibit commemorating the 100th anniversary of the massacre at Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War.
The Rooms.
Beaumont-Hamel is a very well known tragedy in Newfoundland's history. On July 1st, 1916, during the Battle of the Somme, almost the entire Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out in a single advance across No Man's Land. Of 780 soldiers, only 68 made it to roll call the nest day. While other countries lost as many, or more, soldiers that same day, it represented a huge loss for the tiny population of Newfoundland, and left deep scars on the island for years to come. The loss was considered so great by the British Government, that Newfoundland was spared conscription during the Second World War.
Britain Declares War!
The exhibit lead us through the journey of the first Newfoundlanders to volunteer for the war, from their training in Scotland and England, to their first bitter taste of combat in Gallipoli, and finally to the battle at Beaumont-Hamel itself. It painted a picture of life in Newfoundland during the war, which at the time was a Dominion of the British Empire and therefore required to send troops and money "for King and Country". Young men (some as young as 16) were eager to sign up for a bit of adventure, and those who stayed at home were quick to lend support to the war effort.
The journey of the Newfoundland Regiment during the War.
We also learned of some of the impact that such a loss of life had on the fledgling country. Many blame the debt brought on by the war, and the loss of a generation of young men, on Newfoundland's eventual failure to remain an independent Dominion, resulting in the island joining Canada in 1949.
Elizabeth took part in Memorial events for Beaumont-Hamel every year on July 1st when she was a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band, so we know the story well, but the exhibit did an excellent job of exploring the events leading up to it as well as its long lasting consequences on the island of Newfoundland. We would highly recommend visiting the exhibit to anyone, Newfoundlander or Come-From-Away, as it is a story that plays an important role in the identity of the island to this day.
Elizabeth took part in Memorial events for Beaumont-Hamel every year on July 1st when she was a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Band, so we know the story well, but the exhibit did an excellent job of exploring the events leading up to it as well as its long lasting consequences on the island of Newfoundland. We would highly recommend visiting the exhibit to anyone, Newfoundlander or Come-From-Away, as it is a story that plays an important role in the identity of the island to this day.
