June 29, 200620 yr This Saturday (July 1) will be, in addition to Canada Day, the 90th anniversary of the battle of Beaumont Hamel, one of the opening battles of the Battle of the Somme in 1916. It's a big deal, especially for Newfoundlanders and for The Newfoundland Regiment. The "battle" itself was a disaster, and of the 801 young Newfoundland men that left their trenches that morning, only 69 returned to answer the roll call. Some believe it marked the beginning of the end for Newfoundland as an independent colony. I thought this quote was rather poignant: "It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no further." - Major-General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle, Commander of the 29th British Division, reporting on the efforts of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment. For some further background, check out: Newfoundland Regiment: The Somme, 1916 The Battle of the Somme Beaumount Hamel Newfoundland Memorial: Veterans Affairs Newfoundlanders at Beaumont Hamel Google Earth Placemark
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