The Royal Newfoundland Established In 1795 Bicentennial Commemorations War of 1812

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Établi en 1795) Commémoration du bicentenaire Guerre de 1812

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment 37 Canadian Brigade Group Over Two Hundred Years Of Military Service

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment 37 Groupe-brigade du Plus que 200 ans de service militaire

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Bicentennial Commemorations War of 1812

In 2012, Canada will begin the three-year commemoration of the War of 1812.

June 2012 marks the 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812, an important milestone in the lead-up to the 150th anniversary of Canada's Confederation in 2017. This commemoration is just one of the many events that are bringing Canadians together and will continue to link us in the years to come.

The Government of Canada recognizes the War of 1812 as a defining moment in the history of our nation and has big plans to commemorate this event of national and international significance. The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is an unprecedented opportunity for all Canadians to take pride in our traditions, and our shared history.

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain and its British North American colonies in what is today Central and Eastern Canada. British regular troops assisted by English- and French-speaking Canadian militiamen and First Nations allies repelled American invasions over the course of more than two years.

On December 24, 1814, peace negotiations led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, which reset the boundaries to those held by both sides before the conflict. These boundaries would be confirmed by a joint British-U.S. commission in the years following the War.

The War of 1812 was a defining chapter in Canada's history as a nation

Canada would not exist had the American invasion of 1812-14 been successful. For that reason, the War of 1812 was a defining chapter in our history.

The end of the War laid the foundation for Confederation, and Canada's ultimate emergence as an independent nation in North America. It also ushered in what has become two centuries of peaceful relations, mutual respect, close cooperation and the strongest of friendship between Canada and the United States.

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Bicentennial Commemorations War of 1812

A key event in shaping our identity as Canadians

Had the War ended differently, Quebec's French-speaking identity would not exist, and the history of Canada's Aboriginal peoples would have been profoundly altered.

The War, which saw militias in Upper and Lower Canada as well as from the Atlantic region fight- ing together in a common cause, was instrumental in creating Canada's military; some of our cur- rent reserve in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada trace their origins back to this time. It took the combined efforts of the British army and navy, English- and French-speaking militia volunteers, and First Nations allies to succeed in defeating the American invasion.

These heroic efforts tell the story of the origins of the Canada we know today: an independent and free country united under the Crown with a strong respect for diversity. The signing of the Treaty of Ghent and other treaties that followed confirmed the border between Canada and the United States, which is now the world's longest undefended border, providing an example of nations coex- isting peacefully side by side.

Federal Departments and Agencies to Commemorate the War of 1812

Many federal departments and agencies will be involved in the commemoration of this major his- torical event. Other partners include provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal communi- ties, and such international partners as Great Britain and the United States.

Together, the Government of Canada will strive to increase Canadians' knowledge of the War of 1812, an event that was key to ensuring our country's existence and shaping our identity as Canadians.

Page 4 His Majesty’s Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot 1795-1802

The modern Royal Newfoundland cliff below Gibbet Hill and by landed at Bay Bulls and burned Regiment can trace its beginnings to the construction of several all houses in the settlement but the first Royal Newfoundland Regi- shot fur- the sight of tents erected atop ment which was naces for Signal Hill convinced the formed on 25 April use by the French of the folly of an assault 1795, when Captain batteries at on St.John’s so they departed for Thomas Skinner of Fort Fre- St.Pierre taking over 60 prison- the Royal Engineers, derick, ers who were later released the man credited with Chain without incident. designing the defence Rock Bat- In July 1797 Governor Wallace construction on Sig- tery and was replaced by the new Gover- nal Hill, was given Fort Wil- nor, Vice Admiral the Honour- permission to raise a liam. able William Waldergrave fencible infantry whose leadership was tested company consisting In Sep- only one month later by a seri- of six hundred men. tember ous act of insubordination The new regiment was called the 1796 the entire garrison took among the crew of the HMS La- Royal Newfoundland Regiment and to Signal Hill to help ward off tonia docked in St.John’s har- consisted of a number of troops from an anticipated French attack bour. On the 5th of August the the garrison as well as local volun- led by Admiral Richery, who crew of the Latonia refused the teers. Recruiting was authorized at the was under orders from the orders of their officers to go rate of six guineas for each new re- Directory of Republican aloft. With the assistance of the cruit while officers were enlisted from France, to seize English fish- Marines the ringleaders were other Regiments or from notables in ing interests in Newfound- thrown in irons before mutiny the town. In terms of pay, clothing, land. Gov- ensued. arms and accouterments, the Regiment ernor Wal- Governor was to be on the same footing as His lace assem- Walder- Majesty’s other infantry regiments in bled the grave vis- North America. A strength return for Royal New- ited the ship 1796 showed 35 officers and 615 men foundland with the enrolled. Seventy seven of this num- Regiment, Grenadier ber were stationed on Signal Hill, the Royal Company thirty three on South Side, five at Newfound- of the Quiddy Viddy, and forty at Placentia. land Volun- Royal New- Severe shortages in accommodations teers and all able bodied men foundland Regiment. He threat- at the existing town forts prompted the from the town to Signal Hill. ened to order the Gun Batteries construction of additional barracks at Tents were erected at the on shore to fire upon the Latonia both Fort William and Fort Town- summit of the hill and at Fort should further incident of mu- shend as well as on Signal Hill. In Amherst to give the appear- tiny occur. The Governor’s stern addition, the Regiment also began de- ance of a large body of response ended the crisis with- tailed plans to fortify Signal Hill by troops. The French fleet out further incident. transporting guns to the face of the

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 5 His Majesty’s Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Foot 1795-1802 Mutiny and Disbandment

Conditions in the Newfoundland sta- managed to leave Signal Hill be- Regiment given that the tion were harsh. The spoilage of win- fore the alarm was sounded. troops were almost entirely ter food supplies stored at Signal Hill Several others fled Fort Town- of Irish descent. Only the in 1797 and a fire at Fort William in shend but those at Fort William Grenadier Company and the 1798, which destroyed six barracks were prevented from leaving by a Light Infantry Companies of rooms and considerable stores of late night party hosted by Colo- the Royal Newfoundland medicines, barrack bedding and ord- nel Skinner. Regiment were kept in nance stores, added to the privation Newfoundland. In return endured by the rank and file. There Sixteen of the Duke of Kent sent the were record numbers of desertions that the muti- 66th Regiment of Foot to year and open dissatisfaction among neers were Newfoundland. The re- the troops. In May, 1799 Brigadier captured and mainder of the mutineers General William Skerret was ap- five of the were forced to march be- pointed Commanding Officer of the organizers hind their own coffins en troops in Newfoundland who were were or- route to Fort George on now answerable to the Commander in dered, by Citadel Hill. Eight of the Chief in Nova Scotia. Skerret had General Skerret, to be hanged on convicts were spared at the only recently returned from leading a makeshift gallows erected at the last moment and given life troops tasked with ending the armed Powder Magazine which is cur- sentences and three more violence in Ireland. rently Belvedere Street in were summarily hanged in St.John’s. The remainder were front of the entire garrison. In April, 1800 a plot was discovered sent by prison ship to Halifax. among upwards of fifty members of For the next two years the the Royal Newfoundland Regiment In July 1800, the rest of the Royal Newfoundland Regi- who were sympathizers to the United Royal Newfoundland Regiment ment provided garrison du- Irish Movement, to desert their station were transported to Halifax ties in Halifax. In March, and meet at the Powder Magazine be- aboard the HMS Concord at the 1802 with the signing of the hind Fort Townshend. Ten to twelve request of General Skerret who Treaty of Amiens they were questioned the loyalty of his disbanded.

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 6 The Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry 1803-1816

Some eight short months later they remained in garrison for England found itself at war one year before being sent to with France yet again. In Quebec in 1807. June, 1803 Brigadier-General John Skerrett, still in com- That same year the British mand of His Majesty’s troops Government began the prac- in the Colony, was ordered to tice of stopping all ships on raise a fencible regiment in the high seas fearing that Newfoundland. This call to some might be providing sup- arms was consistent with plies to France. Many Ameri- similar arrangements through- cans were outraged and by out the British Empire in re- 1812 the United States had sponse to aggression by Na- declared war on Great Britain. poleonic France. Because of their extensive Skerrett was ordered to raise experience as both soldiers ten companies many of whom and sailors over half of the were recruited from the Royal Regiment consisting of five Newfoundland Regiment that companies were posted to had been only recently dis- Kingston, Upper Canada for banded. The new Regiment service aboard ship, the re- was to be the Newfoundland mainder were assigned to de- Regiment of Fencible Infan- tachments at Quebec, Pres- try. Officers who joined the cott, Fort George and Fort Regiment and who had previ- York. ous service with the recently disbanded Royal Newfound- land Regiment included Cap- tains Van Cortlandt, Tremlett, Lelieve, Hierlihy and Lieuten- ants LeBreton, Weeks, Skin- ner, Gethings and Walsh.

By 1806 the Regiment num- bered nearly seven hundred men and were renamed The Royal Newfoundland Regi- ment when the title “Royal” was conferred by King George III. The next year they were loaded aboard transport ships and sent to Halifax, Nova Scotia where Regimental & King’s Colours

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 7 Page 8 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

In July, 1812, General Isaac Brock, Commander-in Chief of British Forces in Upper Canada, ordered an assault on the American fort on Mackinac Island. This engagement marked the opening of

General Hull surrendered Fort Detroit the entire territory Detroit to the British. Three north and west of Ohio fell members of The Royal New- under British control. foundland Regiment were later issued General Service Medals for their involvement in this engagement while oth- ers were mentioned in a num- ber of dispatches. Members of the Regiment, under the Com- mand of Captain Mockler, served as seaman aboard the Hunter and Queen Charlotte, and were landed ashore to British General Issac Brock participate in the assault on hostilities between American and Fort Detroit. General Brock British forces. wrote that The Royal New- foundland Regiment is “ de- In August 1812, American General serving of every praise for William Hull arrived at Fort Detroit their steadiness in the field as with about 2500 troops intent on the well as when embarked in the capture of Canada. General Issac King’s vessels.” Brock assembled a force of 600 In- dians under the famous chief Te- General Hull returned to face cumseh, 400 militia, and 300 regu- a court-martial for his conduct lar troops. This force included of the campaign. He was sen- over fifty of The Royal Newfound- tenced to be shot but was land Regiment and they crossed eventually pardoned. US General William Hull over the river in boats manned by members of The Royal Newfound- With the fall of Mackinac and land Regiment assigned as marines. After one night of bombardment,

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 9 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

sition his army George were later able to out- atop Queenston flank the Americans who Heights despite eventually surrendered mark- a spirited de- ing Queenstown Heights as a fense by its Brit- glorious victory for the Brit- ish defenders. ish despite the loss of their

th General Brock departed Fort beloved commander. On October 13 , the Ameri- George and led a force which cans launched their first great attempted to dislodge the offensive of the war. The Americans. The first attempt American commander, Gen- failed and General Brock was eral Van Rensselaer, com- killed by an American sniper. manded a force of nearly British reinforcements, along 6500 troops. On October with Indian allies, from Fort 13th, 1812 he was able to po-

British General Procter to re- strain the Indians. Sixty eight Americans who had surren- The Royal Newfoundland dered after the battle were Regiment found itself ordered The campaign in the Fort Erie promised safety by Procter. from Kingston to Fort Erie to area continued. Two compa- Many were wounded. All support the garrison there. nies of The Royal Newfound- were killed by the Indians the Fort Erie gave the British land Regiment participated in next day. strategic control over the up- the recapture of Frenchtown per Great Lakes. An Ameri- from the Americans under The successful action by a can attempt to take Fort Erie General James Winchester in company of The Royal New- on 1 December failed as the January 1813. The New- foundland Regiment, led by garrison refused to surrender foundlanders formed the Lt Rolette who was killed by to the numerically superior sleigh establishment that a musket ball to the head, in American force. The onset of dragged the British cannons assaulting the American guns winter and the stubborn resis- across the frozen lake. Those was perhaps a defining point tance by the garrison which Americans who were able to in the heated engagement. included The Royal New- retreat across the Raisin River foundland Regiment con- survived. Those who resisted vinced the Americans to end were hunted down and the winter campaign and go slaughtered by the Indians, home. due to the reluctance of the

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 10 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

were killed or captured by the advancing Americans.

which had less defenses than The British were entirely out- In 1813, Lieutenant Colonel Kingston and was the seat of numbered and decided to Heathcote, Commanding Of- government. blow up the powder maga- ficer of The Royal Newfound- zines in Fort York to ensure land Regiment, was ordered th On April 26 Major General that the Americans could not to move his headquarters in Henry Dearborn led a force of use it. The town was also Kingston to the Provincial 1700 troops across Lake On- burned and civilian property Capital of Upper Canada at tario intent on the capture of looted. The British then York. The Regiment now had York. York was defended by evacuated to Kingston. the Flanking Company at Fort about 800 British troops Erie under Captain Whalen which included 92 members and another company under of The Royal Newfoundland Captain Mockler at Fort Am- Regiment under command of herstburg with the remainder Lieutenant Colonel Heath- of the Regiment at York. cote. The Americans landed at Humber Bay several miles The Americans were intent from York. The Royal New- upon a spring offensive to foundland Regiment were reverse some of the defeats sent out to delay their march they suffered throughout toward York. Thirty six of 1812. They settled on York The Newfoundland Regiment

While the British were evacu- retreat back to the safety of Royal Newfoundland Regiment as ad- ating Fort York another Brit- Fort Meigs. General Procter ditional gunners under Lieut Garden- ish Army was attacking Fort wrote” besides by obligation to Captain Mockler of the Royal New- Meigs on the western Detroit to Captain Chambers, I have foundland Regiment, who acted as my frontier. A relief column led to notice his gallant conduct aide-de-camp, I am much indebted for by General Clay attacked the in attacking the enemy near the assistance he afforded me.” British position at Maumee the batteries, on which he was Falls in April of 1813. Lt. Le- well supported by Lt Le- Breton of The Royal New- Breton of the Royal New- foundland Regiment led a foundland Regiment- Lieuten- bayonet assault to recapture a ant LeBreton by his unswerv- British Artillery position ing exertion rendered essen- which had been gained by the tial service. The Royal Artil- advancing Americans. The lery were well assisted by the Americans were soon in full THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 11 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

artillery pieces to strike on the American ship- be spiked and the building site at Sackett’s Har- fort abandoned to bour. With three ships of the the Americans. Royal Navy, crewed by the General Dearborn followed up on The Royal Newfoundland 230 members of The Royal his victory at York with a general Regiment were tasked with Newfoundland Regiment sta- assault on the British position at rearguard action as the British tioned at Kingston, and a Fort George in May 1813. The Army retired to Beaver Dams number of transport boats, the American assault was led by Colo- west of British force de- nel Winfield Scott who would later the Ni- parted Kingston in- become the highest ranking officer agara tent on the capture in the American forces. Again The River of Sackett’s Har- Royal Newfoundland Regiment ahead bour. Due to the found themselves engaged in close of the hesitancy of Gover- bayonet fighting as they resisted the advanc- nor Prevost, the as- American landing. The Grenadier ing sault gained little Company of The Royal Newfound- Ameri- military advantage land Regiment lost 21 killed and 12 can army. While the British but did result in the loss of wounded slowing the American ad- regrouped at Beaver Dams nearly three hundred British vance on Fort George. Suffering another British Force led by soldiers including four men of heavy losses the British Commander Governor Prevost himself de- the Royal Newfoundland General John Vincent ordered the cided upon a preemptive Regiment.

neted with quick dispatch. An immediate pursuit after the capture The British then charged the of Fort George might have sealed a American larger victory but Dearborn, after occu- lines sending pying Fort George, waited several days the enemy and then sent about 2,000 American sol- into full flight. diers after the British. The detachment The British advanced to within ten miles of the Brit- troops then ish and camped for the night with slight returned to regard for security and even less for the Burlington enemy's audacity. Heights while the Americans On the night of July 5th the British de- retreated all cided on a night attack. The American the way to 40 sentries were located and were bayo- Mile Creek.

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 12 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

During the summer of 1813 just off West Sister Island in Put Regiment were killed and over 100 of The Royal New- -In-Bay. The battle of Lake Erie their remains committed to foundland Regiment were as- lasted about three hours. Al- Lake Erie. Another twenty signed as though the five were wounded and were gunners British held as prisoners of war and and ma- pressed the forced to march through Ohio rines on attack they to Frankfort, Kentucky where the British lost the they spent the remainder of Fleet on Battle of the war under appalling con- Lake Erie. Lake Erie ditions. Lt.Garden, of the In Septem- to a supe- Royal Newfoundland Regi- ber 1813 rior Ameri- ment, was also killed in ac- Commo- can naval tion. He was buried with full dore Bar- force. military honours by the clay led American victors and is bur- the British Fleet from the De- The battle itself was a complete ied beneath the Peace Monu- troit River to Put-In-Bay. He disaster for the British. It was ment in Ohio. had with him six ships and the first time in history that an 407 officers and men. The entire British fleet was defeated Ameri and completely captured by an can Fleet enemy. Barclay was commanded badly wounded and by Captain lost full movement Oliver Perry, in his one remaining totaled nine arm. At his inevita- ships with ble court martial, 532 officers Barclay was ab- and men in- solved of all blame cluding a for the Lake Erie number of defeat. He had to Kentucky wait another ten sharpshoot- years however, to ers. be promoted to the US Captain Oliver Perry rank of full navy On the British Commodore Barclay captain. morning of 10 Septem- Fourteen members ber both fleets opened fire of The Royal Newfoundland

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 13 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

The loss of the British Naval Fleet on vided the British time to Lake Eire exposed the entire British reach Burlington Army to attack. General Procter, the Heights. Proc- British Commander, decided to burn ter’s force had Fort Detroit and to retreat to the Cana- been driven from dian side despite the protests of Tecum- the entire Detroit seh and the Indian allies. A week later Frontier and had the British burned and departed Fort only a tenuous Amherstburg ahead of the advancing hold on the Ni- Americans. agara frontier.

At Moraviantown on the Thames River the Americans caught up with the re- treating British. The Shawnee Chief, Death of Tecumseh Tecumseh was killed as the Indians pro-

John Hierlihy gained citations for their heroics in this en- The year 1813 ended with an Ameri- postpone his assault on Mont- gagement. can Force defeated at Crysler’s Farm. real and return to the Ameri- The Americans had assembled an in- can side of the border. Two vading force of some 8000 troops un- officers of The Royal New- der General James Wilkinson intent foundland Regiment who on striking at Montreal and then Que- commanded gunboats, Lt bec. The Royal Newfoundland Regi- Andrew Bulger and Captain ment manned the gun boats which were sent out from Kingston charged with follow- ing the American advance down the St. Lawrence River. The British caught up with the American rearguard at Crys- ler’s Farm. The gunboats blasted the American position sending them into confusion. The loss of his rearguard forced General Wilkinson to

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 14 The Anglo-American War of 1812-1814

at the junction of the Wiscon- In May 1814 two companies sin and Mississippi Rivers. of The Royal Newfoundland From Fort McKay Regiment the recently pro- were sent to moted Captain Fort Macki- Bulger planned to nac to repel harass American an expected forces in the Mis- American sissippi Valley. assault. This plan was dis- The Regi- rupted by news that ment helped the Treaty of Ghent stop the ad- had been signed on vance forc- Christmas Eve in ing the 1814 effectively Americans ending the war. to give up the plan. Two

American ships, the Tigress The remnants of and the Scorpion were left to The Royal New- harass the British position and foundland Regiment to blockade the supply route were sent to their to the fort. A handpicked raid- homes in St.John’s ing party which included Lt and given garrison Andrew Bulger and other duties. In 1816, The members of The Royal New- Royal Newfound- foundland Regiment was sent land Regiment was out with the intent of captur- disbanded under ing both vessels. They rowed British orders con- downstream and under of cerning the reduc- cover of darkness were able tion of Fencible to board and overcome the Regiments. surprised defenders. The Scorpion was taken the next night under a similar plan and both vessels were returned to Mackinac as prizes of war.

Lt Bulger was next sent to organize Fort McKay situated

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 15 Constructing Canada's Identity

 The War of 1812 is an important milestone in the lead-up to the 150th anni- versary of Canada's Confederation in 2017.  Canada would not exist had the American invasion of 1812-14 been success- ful.  The end of the war laid the foundation for Confederation and the emergence of Canada as a free and independent nation.  Under the Crown, Canada’s society retained its linguistic and ethnic diver- sity, in contrast to the greater conformity demanded by the American Re- public

Establishing borders in North America

 The Treaty of Ghent re-established the borders between British North Amer- ica (Canada) and the United States to their 1811 configuration. The Treaty called for a joint British-U.S. boundary commission that would confirm the border between Canada and the United States in the years following the war. This boundary between neighbours is now the world's longest undefended border.

Building a peaceful North-American relationship

 The end of the War marked the beginning of two centuries of peaceful rela- tions, close cooperation and friendship between Canada and the United States.

Historical Legacies

 The War was an important chapter in Canada's military history, with many modern reserve regiments from Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada tracing their origins to this conflict.  The Rideau Canal was conceived after the war as a military supply route linking the Ottawa River with Kingston and providing a more secure means of transportation for troops and supplies from Montreal to reach the forts and dockyards of Upper Canada.

Page 16 The Royal Newfoundland Companies 1824-1862

Over the next several years both the 74th Fort Townshend, the Regi- absorbed into the Royal Cana- Regiment of Foot and the 60th Regiment mental Headquarters, and dian Rifle Regiment, partly in provided garrison duties in Newfound- Fort William in St.John's. an attempt to improve mili- land. In tary efficiency, but also to 1824 the stamp out the memory of the Royal Vet- election of 1861, when the eran Compa- Regiment opened fire on a nies arrived hostile mob in downtown St. in St.John’s John's on 13 May 1861 killing and would three and wounding several remain for others. As a result of their the next actions and in keeping with a thirty eight policy of financial constraints years. They the Royal Newfoundland were not a Companies were absorbed, regular regi- the following year, into The ment but a Royal Canadian Rifle Regi- company ment. The Royal Canadian comprised mostly of former serviceman Throughout their tenure in were themselves re- who were out patients from the Royal Newfoundland Station a num- moved from duty in New- Hospital for Invalid Soldiers at Chelsea, ber of attempts were made to foundland in 1870 with the England. In 1842 they were renamed house the troops in barracks complete withdrawal of the the Royal Newfoundland Companies. located on Signal Hill. Guard imperial garrison from New- Duty was the most common foundland. Newfoundland The Companies formed the Imperial and also the most boring of responded to the loss of Garrison in St. John's from 1824 to the Regiment's duties. Daily troops by reorganizing the 1862. They frequently lent color at guards were Newfoundland ceremonial and social events such as the mounted at Constabulary St. John's Regatta and provided a guard Fort Town- and charging of honor for important visitors. The shend, Fort that Police or- Regiment performed a number of du- William, ganization with ties, ranging from fire fighting to oper- Govern- the safety and ating the Port Signaling Service. The ment House security of its Royal Newfoundland Companies fur- and Signal citizens. The nished pomp and color on ceremonial Hill. The colony was occasions and made an imposing show Regiment's wholly unpre- in the elaborate ceremonies which at- more arduous role was aid to pared for the looming crisis of tended the three day visit of the young the civil power, the perform- alliances that would develop Prince of Wales to Newfoundland on ance of which made the men in Europe and which would the 24 day of July 1860. unpopular in certain quarters. eventually erupt into the Great War. The Royal Newfoundland Companies In 1862, the Royal New- were accommodated in the barracks at foundland Companies were

Page 17 The Newfoundland Regiment

brigades and by local mer- chants. They lacked for all necessary supplies including the of khaki material for the By the turn of the century, leg wrappings, or puttees, Europe was largely destabi- effort. The of which they substituted with a lized by its own system of Newfoundland initially of- navy blue material forever alliances. Germany and the fered 500 recruits for overseas commemorating the first five Austro- service with more to hundred as “The Blue Put- Hungarian follow. The military tees.” By mid September Empire had been absent from there were 492 soldiers re- formed one Newfoundland since cruited which was just short such alliance, 1870 however there of the promised 500. The first the Central existed four church commissions in the new regi- Powers, while sponsored cadet corps ment were issued on 21 Sep- France, Rus- which would provide tember. Governor Davidson sia and Great the vanguard of first appointed himself Lieutenant Britain formed another to recruits. Colonel and Officer Com- meet this threat. The whole Governor Sir Walter David- manding the Newfoundland system began to topple with son established himself as Regiment. On Saturday 3 Oc- the assassination of the Arch- Chairperson of the New- tober a large crowd gathered duke Francis Ferdinand on foundland Patriotic Associa- in St.John’s to watch the sol- th June 28 1914, while visiting tion charged with raising and diers parade through the Serbia. The Austrians were equipping a streets as they made outraged by this assassination force of 500 their way to the harbour of the heir to their throne. On men to be front where the troop July 28, 1914, Austria- formed into ship had docked. At Hungary declared war on Ser- the Newfound- the pier was Governor bia. Because of the alliance land Regi- and Lady Davidson, system the other powers were ment. Within Premier Morris and rapidly drawn in, and by Au- days the process of selecting members of both branches of gust 4 most of Europe was at the men and officers began. the Dominion legislature. war. As soon as the recruiting of- On October 4th the First Five When Great Britain declared fices were established a wave Hundred of the Newfound- war on Germany, it did so on of patriotism swept over the land Regiment (The Blue Put- behalf of the entire British island and the recruits volun- tees) departed St.John’s on Empire. Newfoundland, as teered by the hundreds the S.S.Florizel enroute to Britain’s first Colony, was The new Regiment trained at Plymouth, England and an eager to make its contribution Pleasantville in St.John’s un- eventual date with destiny. and willingly joined the war der tents donated by the city

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 18 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

that the Newfoundland Newfoundland consisting of Regiment was moving out 244 new recruits. The troops of Pond Camp. were housed in barracks which proved cold and damp The Florizel reached Plymouth on the In December the Regiment in the winter weather. The 14th of October but The Newfoundland was moved to Fort George, training in Edinburgh was to Regiment did not disembark at Ply- Inverness located in the be equally vigorous. Route mouth until 20 October. Most of the Highlands of Scotland. For marches, drill, and PT occu- day was spent unloading equipment and the next ten weeks the pied the troops daily. By supplies. That evening the Regiment Regiment trained under March, the arrival of more boarded trains destined more recruits brought the Regiment for Pond Camp on the favour- to full strength. Salisbury Plain where able the tented camp became condi- In May, the Newfoundland their home for the next tions. Regiment were transferred to seven weeks. The New- Most Stobs Camp, Harwick. This foundland Regiment was of the move marked a return to life placed under the com- troops under canvass. Conditions mand of a Canadian of- were improved however with the ficer, Lieutenant Colonel housed coming of summer. Training E.B.Clegg, who reor- in at Stob’s Camp included the ganized the regimental structure. All of build- usual drill and PT along with the Newfoundlanders were issued stan- ings in the main fort area. basic musketry. The New- dard British uniforms and accouter- They were provided with foundlanders were also pro- ments including khaki puttees. This did iron cots and mattresses. vided with the British Lee not alleviate their concern that the New- Much of their training Enfield to replace their Cana- foundland Regiment would be perma- while at Fort George con- dian issue Ross Rifles. nently attached to the larger Canadian centrated on shooting . The Newfoundland Regiment It was at Stob’s Camp on June Force. th celebrated its first Christ- 10 that the Regiment re- Life at Pond Camp proved difficult. mas away from home with ceived its own King’s Colour, The tents were initially without wooden a Regimental dinner and a gift of the Newfoundland floors. For much of their stay at camp it with visits to the many Chapter of the Daughters of rained creating mud which formed on homes of the Scottish peo- the Empire. The next day “F” the chalk layers underneath. By No- ple who showed in many Company arrived at camp vember, the Canadian Contingent began ways their appreciation for bringing the Regiment’s total leaving camp and a new Commanding these young soldiers. to 1500 men. Officer for the Regiment was appointed. nd In February the Newfound- On the 2 of August the Lieutenant Colonel R. de H. Burton was Newfoundland Regiment de- a British Officer who had come out of land Regiment boarded trains yet again to take up parted Stob’s Camp for Al- retirement at the outset of war. He re- dershot. News soon came lied heavily on the route march as the their new post at Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capi- that the Regiment was going preferable method of preparing troops into action. for battle. In November news spread tal. They were met there by the Second Contingent from

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 19 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

Regiment gained its first decorations of bravery. The Regi- alties. Some 83,000 soldiers were ment had been con- evacuated from the Gallipoli pen- On August 20th the New- tinuously harassed by enemy insula under cover of darkness foundland Regiment boarded snipers atop a small knoll. A and without alerting enemy the troop ship Megantic. After raiding party led by Lieuten- forces. The evacuation of Gal- a brief stopover in Egypt, they ant J. Donnelly drove off the lipoli was a major success. landed at Suvla Bay on 20 enemy and with the assistance September as part of the 88th After a brief stay on Cape Helles th of reinforcements was able to Brigade of the 29 Division. hold the post which was at the toe of the Gallipoli Penin- The 1,076 Newfoundlanders proudly named Caribou Hill. sula the Newfoundland Regiment landed on Kangaroo Beach Lieutenant Donnelly was were finally evacuated perma- and spent the first few awarded the Military Cross, nently but not before again pro- months digging trenches in and Sergeant W.Greene, a viding rear guard action for the preparation for the long win- Newfoundland Constabulary retiring troops. By early January ter months and for protection officer, and Private Hynes the majority of the troops and from the deadly Turkish snip- were both awarded the Distin- equipment from the Dardanelles ers and artillery fire. On 22 guished Conduct Medal for expedition were en route to a September twenty one year gallantry in battle. resting camp at Suez. Though old Private Hugh McWhirter the regiment was there to recu- In late November a heavy perate, life was not that easy for became the regiment’s first gale turned itself into a harsh battle casualty when he was the soldiers. The Commanding winter storm. The heavy Officer of the Regiment, Lieuten- killed by shell fire. The next rains washed out the trenches day Private W. Hardy was ant Colonel Hadow, was a strict leaving the Newfoundlanders disciplinarian. He was deter- killed by a sniper’s bullet. standing unprotected in a sea Both young Newfoundlanders mined to see that the Newfound- of mud. The rain turned to land Regiment achieved a stan- were buried on the slopes of snow as the temperatures Hill 10 overlooking Suvla dard of military efficiency equal dipped below freezing. The to any other British regiment in Bay. As the days and weeks men were tired, wet, cold and progressed the conditions the Division. Drills, exercises hungry but continued to en- and route marches into the worsened. Food and water dure the elements and man were scarce and had to be ra- scorching desert became the or- their posts. When the storm der of the day. tioned. Turkish artillery and finally ended over 150 of the sniper fire continued to take Regiment were aboard hospi- On 14 March, 1916, the New- its toll. The Regiment alter- tal ships suffering from frost- foundland Regiment boarded the nated its time between the bite and exposure. Prior to the troop ship Alaunia en route to forward and reserve trenches. storm the decision had been France. Morale in the trenches lagged made at the highest levels to as the men endured the harsh evacuate. By December 20th weather and unsanitary condi- the last of the Newfoundland- tions. The hospital ships were ers who had provided rear- soon filled with the dead and guard protection were aboard dying. In early November the ship without any further casu-

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Page 20 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918 failed and no further charge would be planned ordered. Remarkably, at 9:15AM, assault having witnessed the preceding slaugh- failed to ter across No Man’s Land the New- destroy foundland Regiment was ordered to ad- either the vance and all did so without compro- The Regiment landed in Mar- barbed-wire or the concrete mise. seilles and were transported bunkers protecting the Ger- by train to Port Remy where man soldiers. This meant that The Regiment was alone as the Essex they entered their first billets. the Germans were able to ex- Regiment was delayed in its attack by Over the next month or so the ploit their good defensive po- the congestion in the trenches caused by Regiment continued to move sitions on higher ground when the dead and dying. The Newfoundland- camps with each camp bring- the British and French troops ers left their trenches at St.John’s Road ing them closer to the Front attacked at 7:30AM on the and advanced forward a hundred yards Lines. At Louvencourt the morning of the 1st of July. to the British Front Line. They marched Regiment were employed at into a field of fire and charged to their railroad construction but also The Newfoundland Regiment, th death. In less than thirty minutes the got practice entering the re- as part of the 29 Division, assault had ended. Most never made it serve trenches. The New- was located opposite Beau- beyond the gap in the British barbed foundland Regiment entered mont Hamel. At 7:20AM the wire indicated by a lone tree (The Dan- the forward trenches on April planned explosion of a mine ger Tree). Colonel Hadow watched nd 22 replacing units of the at Hawthorne Ridge went off from a support trench as the Newfound- Worcestershire Regiment. as expected to signal the at- land Regiment bore the full brunt of These replacements usually tack to begin. At 7:30AM the German guns. It would take several lasted about ten days. The main assault began. As sol- days before the full accounting was Regiment’s first casualty in diers of the Inniskilling Fusil- complete but by all standards the New- France came two days later iers, the South Wales Border- foundland Regiment had been deci- when Private George Curnew ers, the Royal Fusiliers and mated. The final grim tally revealed 12 was killed by sniper fire. the Lancaster Fusiliers officers and 219 other ranks killed, 12 Throughout their time in climbed over the tops of their officers and 374 other ranks wounded, France recruits from New- trench lines they were deci- and 91 other ranks missing and pre- foundland continued to arrive mated by German machine sumed dead. Of the 801 officers and so that the Regiment finally gun fire. At 8:05AM the sup- men that advanced that day 710 were achieved the normal war es- port regiments which in- killed, wounded or missing in action. tablishment of 30 officers and cluded the Scottish Borderers, The Regiment was all but wiped out. At 972 other ranks. The final the Middlesex Regiment and night, for the next four days, the survi- draft of 66 men had arrived the Dublin Fusiliers attacked vors collected their dead comrades. on 30 June the eve of the and were met with a similar great offensive. fate. The Newfoundlanders Nearly twenty thousand soldiers lost were in the reserve trenches. The Allies committed some their lives of the first day of the Somme At 8:40AM they were ordered 27 divisions comprised of offensive. to move but the ordered was 750,000 men to the Battle of countermanded. The soldiers the Somme. The heavy bom- were confident the assault had bardment which preceded the

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Page 21 -Beaumont-Hamel is located nine miles north of Albert, France. -July 1st, 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, Newfoundlanders faced their first battle in France. -Beaumont-Hamel Memorial Park was dedicated to the memory of those Newfoundlanders who died during World War I, 1916. The park was opened June 7, 1925 by General Earl Haig. -Upon Newfoundland's entry into Confederation in 1949, Beaumont-Hamel and four other Newfoundland memorial parks became the responsibility of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Canada. -Beaumont-Hamel is the largest of the five parks which honours the Newfoundland Regiment. It is 16 hectares (40 acres). -R.H.K. Cochius, originally from Holland, then living in Newfoundland, was the landscape architect for the design of the Beaumont Hamel Park. -The Noble Bronze Caribou Stag is the emblem of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment. -Basil Gotto, a sculptor from England, created the bronze caribou monument. -The Caribou stands on the highest point overlooking St. John's Road, the British support trench at Beaumont-Hamel. -Inscribed on three bronze tablets located at the base of the monument are the 820 names of those brave members of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve and the Mercantile Marine who died at the Battle of the Somme and have no known grave. -The Caribou stands on the highest point overlooking the British front line trench at Beaumont-Hamel. -801 soldiers formed the Newfoundland Regiment. Of the 801 soldiers, 255 were killed, 386 wounded and 91 went missing. -On site is a lodge where visitors are received and greeted. Within is a bronze plaque indicating the Battle Honours won by The Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Page 22 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918 having suffered 239 casualties bat ensued as themselves. the Newfound- landers thrust On 27 October the Regiment with bayonet occupied Grease Trench and hurled which today is the site of a grenades into Caribou Memorial. the German defenders. By Over the next several months Despite the great sacrifice at Beau- 2:30PM Hilt Trench was the Newfoundland Regiment mont Hamel, the Dominion continued firmly occupied by the New- continued to alternate be- to send fresh troops to fill the depleted foundland Regiment. By late tween the Front Lines and the ranks of the Newfoundland Regiment. afternoon the Germans reserve trenches along the At the end of July the Newfoundland Somme Front. Regiment boarded trains and traveled Christmas north to the Ypres Salient in Belgium. 1916 was spent It was here that they would spend the at the small next three months building and forti- village of- fying trenches and taking their turn in Camps-en- the advance trenches which were at Amienois. points less than thirty feet from the Those mem- German front line trenches. In August bers of the the Newfoundlanders came under gas Regiment who attack for the first time. The order to had served put on gas masks prevented any casu- over six alties. months in France were On 8 October, after an absence of ten granted leave weeks, the Newfoundland Regiment to London. was ordered back to the Somme to a position at Gueudecourt. The Battle of the Somme had dragged on since July and featured a series of attacks along mounted a counterattack. The the sixteen mile German front. On 12 Newfoundlanders trained the October, at 2:05PM which was desig- Lewis Guns on the approach- nated as Zero Hour, the attack began. ing enemy inflicting heavy The order was given to fix bayonets as casualties on the advancing close combat was expected. At the Germans. The Newfoundland precise minute the artillery barrage Regiment was steadfast and commenced. Behind the cover of the held firmly to Hilt Trench. At creeping barrage, the Newfoundland- night, the Newfoundlanders ers advanced. The barrage was so turned Hilt Trench over to heavy it prevented the Germans from reinforcements and returned using their machine guns. The New- to Gueudecourt. For some, the foundlanders were able to reach the disaster at Beaumont Hamel German lines at an area designated as had been avenged despite Hilt Trench. Fierce hand to hand com- THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 23 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

was fierce but the Newfoundlanders held their positions. On the 3rd of After a brief respite the New- March the Newfoundlanders were In January, 1917 the New- foundland Regiment was ordered relieved by the Lancashire Fusiliers. foundland Regiment found back to the front lines just north The Regiment’s losses for the two itself again in the trenches of Sailly-Saillisel. From the 1st to month period of February and March running astride the road to Le the 3rd of March the Regiment included 27 killed and 44 wounded. Transloy. The Newfoundland fended off a number of German Sailly-Saillisel enhanced the reputa- ers were in support of the attacks designed to drive the tion of the Regiment and earned the 88th Brigade. Newfoundlanders from their de- men a two week stay in divisional re- fensive positions. The fighting serve. Despite the fact they were in At 5:30AM on reserve the Newfound- th the 27 of land Regiment contin- January the ued to train daily Allied Artillery which included prac- opened fire tice in bombing, bayo- signaling the neting and trench commence- fighting techniques. ment of the battle. The On 19 March the New- Newfoundland foundland Regiment Regiment returned to its billets. joined the foray by con- centrating their trench mortars on the enemy positions. Company Ser- geant Major Cyril Gardner earned a bar to his previously won DCM by single hand- edly capturing 72 German prisoners.

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Page 24 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

at Beaumont Hamel. A cari- men and situated themselves bou now proudly stands on a In early April, the Canadian Corps in the trenches at the out- successfully attacked and captured hill in Monchy facing the for- skirts of the town to prevent mer German lines. Vimy Ridge opening the Battle of the recapture of Monchy. Arras. From this forward trench this Scarpe-1917 small party was able to hold By April, the Newfoundland Regi- the German advance on the The Newfoundland Regiment ment was marched to the outskirts town by pinning a much lar- of Monchy-le-Preux. The Acting remained in the Arras sector ger force of Germans, esti- throughout April and despite Commanding Officer, Lieutenant mated at a battalion, in the Colonel Forbes depleted numbers found Robertson set up his themselves holding a position headquarters along at Les Fosses Farm on the the road leading to road joining La Bergere with the town. The at- Monchy. The Second Battle tack, which involved of the Scarpe was scheduled the Newfoundland to commence at 4:45AM on Regiment proceeded 23 April. While many of the on 14 April as Divisions reached their desti- planned. The New- nation, a strong German foundlanders as part counterattack late in the day of 88th Brigade were reversed many of the gains assigned the capture the Allies had made. All day of Infantry Hill some the Newfoundlanders were 1000 yards east of under continual shelling and Monchy. Having machine gun fire but stub- bornly held their positions. reached their objective despite forward trenches until rein- heavy German artillery fire, ele- By June the Arras offensive forcements arrived. As a re- had ended and the Newfound- ments of the Newfoundland Regi- sult of their heroic efforts ment found themselves being encir- land Regiment was moved Monchy was saved. The ac- south west to Bonneville. Its cled by a large contingent of the en- tion around Monchy cost the emy. The Newfoundlanders fought fighting strength was down to Regiment dearly. There were a mere 11 officers and 210 on against formidable odds. By 7 officers and 159 other ranks nine o’clock the situation was hope- other ranks. killed, 7 officers and 134 less and some 150 of the Newfound- wounded, and another 150 land Regiment were forced to sur- men captured by German render. Lieutenant Colonel Forbes- forces. These losses were Robertson formed a party of ten second only to the devastation

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Page 25 The Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

major battle was Poelcappelle

these, the Battle of Lange- which commenced on 9 Octo- By July, over 500 new re- marck, commenced in early ber 1917. As part of this lar- cruits from 2nd Battalion ar- August. The Newfoundland ger engagement the New- rived to join the Regiment. Regiment’s operational orders foundland Regiment were re- Allied leaders had given up stated they must cross the quired to attack German de- on the idea of a breakthrough stream of Steenbeek on 16 fenses across the Broembeek in the Arras area and turned August and hold a position stream. The Newfoundland their attention to Flanders nearly 1200 yards forward. Regiment attacked as planned again. In June the Newfound- Despite heavy enemy fire the and were able to meet their land Regiment was trans- Newfoundlanders reached objectives and consolidate ferred to the Ypres Salient their objective and were able their positions despite heavy and took to building and re- to hold their position through- losses. The entire 29th Divi- pairing trench works. Soon out the day. For the next sion suffered heavy losses in they would be engaged in the seven weeks the Regiment the area and were thus re- Third Battle of Ypres which was shuttled from one area of placed by the 17th Division would go on all summer and the front to another alternat- signaling six weeks out of the which would be marked by a ing between the advance and line for the Newfoundland series of major battles around reserve trenches. The second Regiment. Passchendaele. The first of

duced British tanks tore through dugouts and machine enemy shelling and wave after wave gun nests. Both Masnieres of German attacks. On 3 December After replenishing their ranks and Marcoing were freed of the Germans attacked again but still the Newfoundland Regiment German defenders. Only the the Newfoundlanders held their posi- was moved by train and forced arrival of German reinforce- tion at the Marcoing-Masnieres march to the area around the ments saved their hold on bridgehead. The overall German Cambrai sector. Here, the Al- Cambrai. While the Allies counterattack was successful forcing lies were massing their troops had made spectacular ad- the Allies to fall back relinquishing for a major assault on the Ger- vances they had failed to Marcoing and a number of other areas man lines. The 29th Division, break the German stronghold to the Germans. of which the Newfoundland of Cambrai. On 30 Novem- Regiment was a part, was or- ber, 1917 the Germans coun- Two weeks later the Government of dered to secure Masnieres and terattacked all along the Cam- Newfoundland was informed that His Marcoing. On Tuesday, 20 No- brai sector. The Newfound- Majesty was pleased to grant the title vember 1917 the Battle for landers were recalled from “Royal” to the Regiment in recogni- Cambrai commenced. The reserve and ordered to relief tion of their outstanding gallantry. Newfoundlanders advanced for- in front of Masnieres. This was a unique honor as no other ward under protection of a with- Throughout the day the New- regiment was awarded such distinc- ering artillery barrage. The foundlanders clung to their tion while fighting persisted in World German defensive lines were position despite murderous War I. decimated as the newly intro- THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 26 The Royal Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

three month German offensive. On of the front lines. Their de- 21 March, 1918 the Germans sent 71 pleted condition and the diffi- Divisions attacking across a fifty mile culty of finding replacements The Royal Newfoundland sector. The Royal Newfoundland prompted High Command to Regiment found itself in the Regiment was attached to the 34th remove the Regiment from village of Fressin celebrating Division and sent to Bailleul to help the 29th Division and place its second Christmas in stem the enemy attack. For nearly ten them at Sir Douglas Haig’s France in December 1917. days straight the Newfoundlanders Headquarters at Montreuil. engaged the enemy onslaught. By The time there would be spent In the spring the Regiment May the German offensive had ex- rebuilding the regiment to was transported back to the hausted itself and The Royal New- fighting strength. Brandhoek line behind Ypres. foundland Regiment were taken out The spring also signaled a

of White Bay who had joined the tion Commander and a Lewis Regiment, at the young age of gun to attempt to outflank the In September, 1918 the Royal fifteen, volunteered to rush back battery. They advanced by short Newfoundland Regiment found under heavy German fire to pro- rushes while subject to severe itself attached to the 28th Infan- th cure more ammunition. Ricketts fire from enemy machine guns. try Brigade, of the 9 Division was successful in his attempt When 300 yards away, their am- and were engaged in a general allowing this small detachment munition gave out. The enemy, offensive along the Ypres Sali- to drive the Germans away from seeing an opportunity to get ent. Over a ten day period the their guns. The their field guns away, began to Newfoundlanders Royal Newfound- bring up their gun teams. Pri- managed to advance land Regiment was vate Ricketts at once realized the from Hell Fire Cor- able to advance situation. He doubled back 100 ner nearly nine without further yards, procured some ammuni- miles. In October the casualties and cap- tion and dashed back to the Royal Newfoundland ture both the Ger- Lewis gun, and by very accurate Regiment were or- mans and their fire drove the enemy and their dered to hold the field guns. Pri- gun teams into a farm. His pla- Railway Line in Le- vate Thomas toon then advanced without deghem. Despite Ricketts was later casualties, and captured four repeated attacks the awarded the for field guns, four machine guns Newfoundlanders held the line. his valor that day. In part the and eight prisoners. A fifth field On 14 October the Allied offen- citation read: gun was subsequently inter- sive continued. The Newfound- cepted by fire and captured. By "Private T. Ricketts was his presence of landers advanced along Courtrai awarded the Victoria Cross for and crossed the Wulddambeek mind in anticipat- most conspicuous bravery and ing the enemy in- stream. A German gun nest well devotion to duty on October positioned in a wooded area pre- tention and his ut- 14,1918. During the advance ter disregard for vented the Regiment from ad- from Ledgehem the attack was vancing further. Section after personal safety, temporarily held up by heavy Private Ricketts section of advancing Newfound- hostile fire, and the platoon to landers were killed. Lieutenant secured the further which he belonged suffered se- supplies of ammunition which Stanley Newman of B Company, vere casualties from the fire of a with a small party, attempted to directly resulted in these impor- battery at point blank range. tant captures and undoubtedly outflank the German guns using Private Ricketts at once volun- saved many lives." a Lewis Gun. Shortly they teered to go forward with his found themselves out of ammu- Sec- nition. Private Thomas Ricketts THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

Page 27 The Royal Newfoundland Regiment World War I -1914-1918

On October 20th, 1918 The Royal Newfoundland Regi- ment battled its way across the River Lys and continued their forward advance to the Scheldt. On 26 October The Royal Newfoundland Regi- ment was replaced in its front line positions and returned to In Flanders Fields billets in Harlebeke. On 9 By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD November, the Kaiser abdi- (1872-1918) cated. On the eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month the Germans IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow surrendered and signed the Between the crosses row on row, Armi- That mark our place; and in the sky stice. On The larks, still bravely singing, fly 13 De- Scarce heard amid the guns below. cember We are the Dead. Short days ago The We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Royal Loved and were loved, and now we lie New- In Flanders fields. foundland Regiment Take up our quarrel with the foe: crossed To you from failing hands we throw the Rhine The torch; be yours to hold it high. River into If ye break faith with us who die Germany and took up new We shall not sleep, though poppies grow bridgehead duties. In Flanders fields The war was over. In Febru- ary The Royal Newfoundland Regiment were returned to Hazeley Down, England and took part in the victory parade in London. On Aug 26th the 1st and 2nd of The Royal Newfoundland Regi- ment were officially dis- banded and the troops re- turned home to Newfound- land.

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Page 28

Map of the Western Front

Page 29

Wilfred Owen Dulce Et Decorum Est Bent double, like old beggars under sacks, Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through sludge, Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs And towards our distant rest began to trudge. Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame; all blind; Drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots Of disappointed shells that dropped behind.

GAS! Gas! Quick, boys!-- An ecstasy of fumbling, Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time; But someone still was yelling out and stumbling And floundering like a man in fire or lime.-- Dim, through the misty panes and thick green light As under a green sea, I saw him drowning.

In all my dreams, before my helpless sight, He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning.

If in some smothering dreams you too could pace Behind the wagon that we flung him in, And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin; If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,-- My friend, you would not tell with such high zest To children ardent for some desperate glory, The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori.

Page 30 SOMEWHERE IN FRANCE

Under the sunny skies of France, He yielded up his life. The fisher-lad from Newfoundland Unused to war and strife.

And ere his dying eyes were closed He saw as in a dream The tall grey cliffs, the haven where The home lights softly green.

He saw his boat at anchor lie, He saw his comrades true, He heard again the songs he loved, The songs his childhood knew.

Across the din of war he heard The wave break on the strand. His heart went back in that last hour To far off Newfoundland

E. Sparrow-Postmistress at Burin

Page 31

With the outbreak of World War II had moved from their tempo- The U-513 disappeared be- Newfoundland found itself again the rary headquarters in the town fore the Bell Island Coast De- precarious position of having no fire hall to permanent bar- fense Battery could be put permanent military force. With the racks established in Shamrock into action. assistance of the British War Minis- Field. On 15 November, 1941 Tragedy also struck the Regi- try a military unit to be called the the Newfoundland Militia ment itself in December 1942. Newfoundland Militia was formed. was incorporated into the Ca- A horrific fire erupted at the The stated objectives of the unit was nadian Command. Brigadier K. Of C. Hostel in St.John’s to guard important sites and to offer Philip Earnshaw became on 12 December. Among the resistance to enemy landing parties. Commander of the Combined 100 who perished in the fire Recruiting was initially conducted Newfoundland and Canadian was 22 members of the New- through the office of the Chief of Military Forces in Newfound- foundland Regiment. Police, Chief .J.O’Neil, but was land. The Newfoundland Mi- later transferred to Cap- litia was tain Fanning-Evans, an placed on In May, 1941 two auxiliary officer with the Duke of Active Ser- militia units had been formed Wellington’s Regiment. vice as of 21 at Corner Brook and Grand Recruits were enlisted June 1941. Falls to protect these vital in- and trained at the Con- dustries. On 2 March the stabulary grounds at Newfoundland Militia was Fort Townshend. In Oc- In late 1941 renamed the Newfoundland tober, the Militia Act Lt Col A.T. Regiment having reached full was signed given full Howell took regimental status consisting authorization for the command of of 27 officers and 543 other Commission of Govern- the New- ranks. The two auxiliary mi- ment to raise a voluntary foundland litia units in Grand Falls and force for home service Militia. Corner Brook were subse- to be called the New- On Septem- quently called the Newfound- foundland Militia. The first Com- ber 5th the importance of land Militia. manding Officer of the new unit was home defence became abun- Lt Col Walter F. Rendell. Rendell dantly clear. Four iron ore Among the many duties of the was a member of the First Five freighters were docked in Newfoundland Regiment was Hundred in WWI and was subse- Lance Cove on the South East to serve as a recruiting depot quently wounded in action at Gal- side of Bell Island. Lurking for volunteers wishing to join lipoli. One of his first duties was to outside was the German sub- the 59th (NFLD) Heavy and establish coastal defenses and to marine U-513. Near noon, post guards at important sites in- the 166 (Nfld) Field Regi- the U-boat fired a torpedo ment, cluding the vital cable communica- into the side of the freighter tions network. In February, the serving overseas. At the war’s Saranaga killing twenty seven end the Militia Units were Newfoundland Militia began a new of her crew and sending the assignment which involved guard- disbanded after having suc- carrier to the bottom in min- cessfully guarded Newfound- ing prisoners of war at an intern- utes. Some twenty minutes ment camp at Pleastantville. Most land’s maritime interests from later the Lord Strathcona met sabotage or attack. of these prisoners were seamen a similar fate however the taken from enemy ships at sea or crew had time to abandon docked in ports. By July, the militia ship before this vessel sunk.

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On 1 April, 1949 Newfound- Today, The Royal Newfound- Atlantic Area is to recruit and land became Canada’s tenth land Regiment forms part of train highly effective combat sol- province. In October, as one the 37 Canadian Brigade diers capable of serving in any of the Group a section of Land military operation in Canada or Terms of Forces Atlantic Area which overseas and to assist in the provi- Confed- includes: sion of a Immediate Reaction eration  8th Canadian Hussars Force for domestic operations with Can- (Princess Louise’s) or in aid of the civil power. ada, His  3rd Field Artillery Regi- Soldiers of the modern Royal Majesty ment,RCA (The Loyal Newfoundland Regiment train lo- King Company cally at their home garrisons and George  37 Combat Engineer at summer training centers such as granted permission to remus- Regiment CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick ter the Newfoundland Regi-  1st Battalion Royal New and Aldershot, Nova Scotia. This ment as a militia unit. On 24 Brunswick Regiment specialized training ensures that October the Newfoundland  2nd Battalion Royal New each soldier is operationally ready Regiment was placed on the Brunswick Regiment to meet the challenges of the 21st Canadian Army Reserve Es-  1st Battalion Royal New- century. Unique in the training tablishment. In November, foundland Regiment system is the Reserve Concentra- King George approved the  2nd Battalion Royal New- tion which usually occurs in late granting of the title “Royal” foundland Regiment summer. Here soldiers are intro- to the newly remustered regi-  37 Service Battalion duced to combat readiness and ment. The first unit Com- undertake training necessary to manding Officer was Lieuten- Land Forces Atlantic Area develop the skills required of sol- ant Colonel J.P.O’Driscoll a controls both the Regular diers serving in peace keeping and veteran of both World Wars. Force and Reserve compo- combat operations abroad. In 1950, new companies were nents operating in the four formed at Corner Brook and Atlantic Provinces. LFAA Soldiers in the Royal Newfound- Grand Falls. In 1953, The includes four land Regiment have Royal Newfoundland Regi- Regular Force served, with distinction, in ment removed their Canadian units and 23 nearly every overseas de- Infantry Corps badge in favor Reserve Units ployment authorized by of a Caribou Head, the sym- consisting of the Canadian military. bol of the Regiment in the some 7000 per- Deployments have in- First World War. This was sonnel. The cluded Cyprus, the Golan followed shortly by the offi- position of Heights, Sierra Leone, cial recognition by Queen LFAA Com- Germany, Yugoslavia as Elizabeth II of an alliance be- mander was filled by Regi- well as Afghanistan. Soldiers in tween The Royal Newfound- mental officers on two occa- the Royal Newfoundland Regi- land Regiment and The Royal sions, reflecting the high de- ment continue to serve in this ca- Scots which honoured the af- gree of officer capability in pacity today. filiation of both regiments the Regiment. throughout nearly two hun- dred years of military history. The mission of Land Forces

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Page 33

Constabulary Constable Patrick J. O’Neil , later to become Chief of Police, was also appointed to the rank of Lieutenant with the Royal New- foundland Regiment during the First World War. He took command of the S.S. Fionna and Her Majesty’s Ship “Cabot” from 1915 to 1918 and he was tasked with the responsibility of patrolling the bays and inlets of the Labrador Sea for possible enemy submarine bases , listening posts, suspicious vessels and persons. Lt. O’Neil was recognized by Naval Authorities for the manner in which he conducted his Labrador Sea Patrols during WWI, and he was later made An Officer of The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire. He retired from the New- foundland Constabulary in 1944 while holding the rank of Chief of Police after an exemplary career.

Because there were no existing military in the Colony of Newfoundland in 1914 the Church Lads Brigade(CLB), Catholic Cadet Corps, New- foundlander Highlanders, Methodist Guards and the Legion of Frontiersmen provided many of the first recruits for the Regiment for overseas war duty.

There are actually two National War Memorials in Canada , one in Ottawa as the Canadian National War Memorial, and the other in St. John’s as the Newfoundland Dominion National War Memorial (pre-Confederation).The Newfoundland National War Memorial was offi- cially opened on July 1st,1924 at King’s Beach, Water Street, St. John’s by Field Marshall Sir Earl Douglas Haig, former British Army Com- mander for the Western Front in 1916.

Private John Shiwak of Rigolet, Labrador was the only Inuit member of the Regiment during WW I. He quickly gained the reputation as “The Premier Sniper of the Regiment”.Lance Corporal Shiwak along with six other members of the Regiment were killed by a German en- emy shell on November 21,1917 at the Battle of Cambrai.

The Regiment’s Mascot during WWI was a Newfoundland Dog by the name of Sable Chief and it was given to the Newfoundlanders by a Canadian soldier serving in England. Sable Chief was killed by a careless truck driver in 1918 while it was at the Army Depot in Winchester, England. His body was preserved by a taxidermist and is the property of the Military Museum in St. John’s. Private Hazen Fraser of the Regi- ment was Sable Chief’s personal handler during the War.

The pay for a Regiment recruit in Newfoundland in 1914 was one dollar a day with an additional ten cents a day for Field Allowance where applicable.

Private Frank “Mayo” Lind was considered Newfoundland’s first Unofficial War Correspondent 1914-1916. His letters home originally pub- lished in The Daily News gave Newfoundlanders a graphic and compelling account of day to day regimental life both in and out of action. He was killed on July 1st, 1916 at Beaumont Hammel.

Food for the frontline soldiers usually consisted of bully-beef, jam, cheese and biscuits; when they were very lucky they received bread.

The model for the Fighting Newfoundlander Statue in Bowring Park, St. John’s, was one Private Thomas Pittman of the Royal Newfound- land Regiment.

There was one other Newfoundlander to win The Victoria Cross (WWI), Britain’s highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy and that was Private John B. Croak of Little Bay who served with the 13th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The total number of allied Army casualties for WWI was 22,089,709 with close to five million deaths.

The total number of enemy Army casualties was 15,404,477 with nearly four million deaths.

It is estimated that there were approximately 10 million civilian deaths attributable to the First World War.

The Regiment suffered 1,305 killed and 2,134 wounded with approximately 180 men taken prisoner.

Doctor Cluny Macpherson , principal Medical officer of the Regiment is best remembered as the inventor of the gas mask prototype to com- bat the use of mustard gas by the Germans during WWI .

During WWI a badge was issued to Newfoundland Volunteers who were rejected as recruits for health reasons. Without some proof of rejec- tion for ready identification, rejected volunteers might have been subject to ridicule as “slackers”. The badge read “For King and Country I have Offered”.

The “Famous First Five Hundred” members of the Newfoundland Regiment to go overseas in 1914 could not be supplied with khaki leg protective puttees so they had to borrow blue puttees from the Church Lads Brigade (CLB) in St. John’s. From that time onward this famous group were referred to as the “Blue Puttees”.

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Armorial Description A caribou head, within a wreath of laurel leaves surmounted by the Crown; below, and supporting the wreath, a scroll inscribed ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT, mounted on a claret background. Motto (Unofficial): Better Than the Best Battle Honours (16) First World War GALLIPOLI, 1915-16 Egypt, 1915-16 YPRES, 1917,'18 LANGEMARCK, 1917 France and Flanders, 1916-18 POELCAPELLE ALBERT (BEAUMONT HAMEL), 1916 CAMBRAI, 1917 Somme, 1916 LYS LE TRANSLOY BAILLEUL Arras, 1917 Kemmel Scarpe,1917 COURTRAI

Colonel-in-Chief: Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, GCVO

THE ROYAL NEWFOUNDLAND REGIMENT

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