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Beaumont Hamel: In the Words of the Sixty-ninth Man

July 1st, 2016 marks the one hundredth anniversary of Beaumont Hamel

Memorial in Beaumont Hamel, France.
Memorial in Beaumont Hamel, France.

On this day in 1916, the First Regiment of the Newfoundland Regiment took part in the opening attacks of the Battle of the Somme. Eight hundred and one officers and men went over the top. Within thirty minutes, the regiment was all but wiped out. Only 68 responded to roll call. The rest were killed, wounded or reported missing.

My grandfather, Lance-corporal James Ryan, took part in this attack and was one of the 68 to respond to roll call. At least, that was what I understood from listening to him and others when I was growing up. As the 100th anniversary approached, a list of the 68 was circulating and I was astonished to find his name missing. Continue reading “Beaumont Hamel: In the Words of the Sixty-ninth Man”

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Beaumont Hamel – In his own words…

Today is Canada Day.

In Newfoundland, July 1st is also Beaumont Hamel Day. So, in addition to waving the Maple Leaf and popping off fireworks, we also remember a battle that shaped our identity as a people.  Continue reading “Beaumont Hamel – In his own words…”

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Gallipoli – In his own words…

This week marks the 99th anniversary of the start of the land campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey. The need for an ice free port in Russia prompted the Allied Forces to focus Gallipolimap2on the Dardanelles. A failed attempt to take the straits with naval power resulted in plans to secure the straits from land. The campaign lasted from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916 and ended in a failure that ultimately claimed more than a hundred thousand lives.

My grandfather spent almost two months in Gallipoli as part of the only North American unit to serve in the region. Lance Corporal James Ryan had to lie about his age to join the Newfoundland Regiment and Gallipoli was his first experience in combat. Continue reading “Gallipoli – In his own words…”

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…the more they stay the same.

My grandfather and I are the only veterans in our immediate family. He was #38 of the First Five Hundred who joined the Newfoundland Regiment in 1914. In 1918, he published his diary in a local magazine.  Continue reading “…the more they stay the same.”

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Beaumont Hamel Day

Today is Canada Day.

In Newfoundland, July 1st is also Beaumont Hamel Day. So, in addition to waving the Maple Leaf and popping off fireworks, we also remember a battle that shaped our identity as a people.  Continue reading “Beaumont Hamel Day”