Today, we celebrate Canada Day.
It’s a day that we often take for granted: a day-off from work for most, with maybe some adult beverages in the sun by the water; blasting the Tragically Hip’s greatest hits.
There’s one thing that most Canadians strangely don’t know enough about: the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. It took place in a small village in the Somme region of northern France on July 1st, 1916. The Allied Forces looked to make an offensive move on the opposition, and it was a decision that led to the deaths of many men. On this day, 114-years ago, the First Newfoundland Regiment suffered catastrophic losses.
The battle lasted all of 30-minutes. 801 soldiers went to war that day – 68 were able to answer roll call the next morning. Men ran into battle, and were quick overrun by enemy fire. Many soldiers were in ‘No Man’s Land’; forced to hide behind the ‘Danger Tree’ (replica pictured above), a thin, terrifying reminder of what had happened.
Canada Day is a Memorial Day in Newfoundland. The battlefield is now a National Historic Park park, one of only two National Historic sites located outside of Canada. At the highest point of the site, the statue of a caribou, the official emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, can be found. It points out towards the battlefield, and in the direction of Newfoundland. The names of soldiers fill three brass plaques at the base of the monument.
Newfoundland became the tenth province in the country of Canada on March 31st, 1949.
While Newfoundlanders celebrate Canada Day with the rest of the country, the residents make sure to take the time to honour the fallen men that died in the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.
Along with the titled photo of this article, we have attached photos taken by 101.3 myFM General Manager, Hilary Montbourquette. He’s a native of the maritimes, and wanted Milton residents to know the story.
Happy Canada Day! Make sure to tune in at 11:00 a.m. today to hear the National Anthem, and be sure to take part in the Town’s many online activities that they have planned.
