A Tribute to the Sacrifice of the Newfoundlanders at

Beaumont-Hamel
July 1, 1916

On July 1, 1916, British forces began the bloodiest day of their history. The objective of the day was to smash through the German lines located in the Somme region of France after, what they believed, the artillery had smashed all defences. The Newfoundland regiment (as part of the British army) was assigned the section of the line at Beaumont-Hamel. Although this was the Newfoundlanders first battle in France, they had seen action in Gallipoli and had trained themselves into top form. Unfortunately, training and experience mean little when faced with a storm of machine gun fire and German defences dug deeply into the ground – far from the effects of the artillery’s shrapnel.

Soon after the attack began it was clear that the German machine guns were not silenced and the barbed wire had not been destroyed. The bravery of the Newfoundlanders was as undeniable: their chances for success practically non-existent.

The park at Beaumont-Hamel opened June 7, 1925 and since Newfoundland’s entry into Confederation in 1949 it has been operated by the Canadian Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The park itself is forty acres in size and is located about 35 minutes south of Arras, France and about 10 minutes north of Albert, France. The bronze Caribou Stag is the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. The names of those Newfoundlanders that died that day are inscribed at the monument.

Of the 801 Newfoundlanders that left their trenches on July 1, 1916 only 69 returned to answer the roll-call. The dead numbered 255, 386 men were wounded and 91 were recorded missing.

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The Book of Remembrance

Those that gave their lives on
July 1, 1916

Still dangerous ground

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Many thanks to Bob Hiller of
St. John's, Newfoundland for passing along his photo of the "Caribou" that is on display in Bowring Park in the City of St. John's, Newfoundland

Written and photographed by John Stephens, October - 2002

unless otherwise stated