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Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead

Douglas Foster

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Published in Into The Blizzard: Walking The Fields Of The Newfoundland Dead

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A Panoramic View Of The Newfoundland Memorial Park In Beaumont Hamel, France, With Row Upon Row Of White Headstones Marking The Graves Of Fallen Soldiers. Into The Blizzard: Walking The Fields Of The Newfoundland Dead

In the heart of the rolling countryside of northern France, where the Somme River meanders through fields once scarred by war, lies a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the Newfoundland Regiment during the Great War. The Newfoundland Memorial Park in Beaumont-Hamel stands as a solemn tribute to the fallen heroes who fought valiantly on these battlefields.

The Newfoundland Regiment

The Newfoundland Regiment was a unique force within the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Formed in 1914 with volunteers from the Dominion of Newfoundland, they were the only complete regiment from outside Canada to serve in the war. The regiment saw action in some of the most infamous battles of the Western Front, including Beaumont-Hamel, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele.

Into the Blizzard: Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead

by Michael Winter

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Print length	:	353 pages

The Battle of Beaumont-Hamel

On July 1, 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment was tasked with capturing the German-held village of Beaumont-Hamel. It was a day that would forever be etched in the annals of Newfoundland's history. The regiment suffered devastating losses, with 84% of its men killed or wounded. The battle became a symbol of the immense sacrifice made by the Newfoundlanders.

The Newfoundland Memorial Park

In the aftermath of the war, the Newfoundland government established the Newfoundland Memorial Park in Beaumont-Hamel to honor the fallen soldiers. The park encompasses 70 acres of land, including the site of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. It features a moving monument inscribed with the names of the 801 Newfoundlanders who gave their lives during the war.

Walking the Fields of the Dead

To walk through the Newfoundland Memorial Park is a deeply moving experience. Row upon row of white headstones stretch out like a vast field of remembrance. Each stone bears the name, rank, and age of a fallen soldier. The silence is broken only by the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

As you wander through the park, you can't help but be struck by the youthfulness of the men who died here. Many were in their early 20s, just starting their lives. Their sacrifice is a reminder of the immense cost of war and the importance of remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom.

The Spirit of Newfoundland

The Newfoundland Regiment's story is one of courage, sacrifice, and unwavering spirit. Despite the devastating losses they suffered, the Newfoundlanders never gave up. They fought with determination and distinction, earning the respect of their allies and the admiration of their enemies.

The legacy of the Newfoundland Regiment lives on today in the hearts and minds of Newfoundlanders and Canadians alike. Their sacrifice reminds us of the importance of peace and the indomitable spirit that can overcome even the greatest adversity.

A Place of Remembrance

The Newfoundland Memorial Park is more than just a battlefield memorial. It is a sacred place of remembrance where people from around the world come to pay their respects to the fallen heroes. It is a place to reflect on the horrors of war and the importance of peace.

If you ever find yourself in northern France, I highly recommend visiting the Newfoundland Memorial Park in Beaumont-Hamel. It is a place that will stay with you long after you leave. It is a place where you can honor the memory of the fallen and reflect on the sacrifices made for our freedom.

The fields of northern France are forever etched with the memory of the Newfoundland Regiment. The Newfoundland Memorial Park in Beaumont-Hamel stands as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave men. It is a place of remembrance, a place of peace, and a place where the spirit of Newfoundland lives on.

Into the Blizzard: Walking the Fields of the Newfoundland Dead

by Michael Winter

4.4 out of 5