The history of the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, and the battle of the many women (and a few men remaining), responsible for it’s creation.
Enthusiasm for the memorial “washed out” by the end of 1920 with financial concerns and a plan to erect a more “appropriate” memorial in St. John’s.
1920
Women’s Mass Meeting
8 April 1920, Evening Herald
Tomorrow, the women of St John’s hold their mass meeting at the Casino at 3.30, and have the honor of three veterans of the Great War, veterans who going with the first, able in spite of sickness and wounds to remain till the end, namely, Lt Col Bernard MC, C de G, Major Butler DSO, MC, and Captain Nunns MC, the latter at the battle of Beaumont-Hamel, July 1st, 1916.
An opportunity that no woman should miss. The opportunity of hearing first hand the story of the battlefield in which we are at present so interested.
Pleasure to our soldiers to revive these tragic memories, but they help because they realize the importance attached to the purchase of this battlefield, and they want their brother soldiers’ last resting place be shielded from desecration.
The women of Newfoundland have never had to be asked twice to support a movement that touches their hearts. So we know that we can assure the speakers of a crowded and interested audience. The meeting is under the gracious patronage of Lady Harris.
Lady Harris
Lady Constance Maria Harris the wife of Governor Sir Alexander Harris, who served in Newfoundland from 1917 to 1922. During the Great War, directed the Women’s Patriotic Association (WPA), with headquarters at Government House.
Battlefield
10 April 1920, Evening Herald
The meeting of women held yesterday afternoon in the Casino under the gracious patronage of Lady Harris, to discuss the raising of funds for the purchase of Beaumont-Hamel battlefield, attended by a large gathering.
First Ladies Curling Club, St. John’s, Newfoundland, 1906
- Back Row, left to right, Miss Annie Hayward, Mrs. John Browning, Mrs. W.G. Gosling, Mrs. Isabel Prowse, Miss Bremner
- Middle Row, left to right, Mrs. John Harvey, Mrs. Kenneth Prowse, Mrs. Brehm, Mrs. Wm. H. Duder, Miss Violette Macpherson
- Front Row, left to right, Miss Minnie Goodridge, Mrs. Cluny Macpherson
Mrs. John Browning occupied the chair, and on the platform were Lady Harris and the members of the G.W.V.A. Ladies’ Committee, Mrs. J. B. Mitchell, Mrs. McKean, Mrs. Matthews, Miss’ May Furlong and Miss Edwards.
Lt-Col Adople Ernest Bernard MC, Croix du Guerre
The first speaker Lt. Col. Bernard. M.C., C. de G., with the Regiment from first until the Armistice signed.
Though prevented from taking part in the battle of Beaumont-Hamel, he knew intimately practically every man who fell there, having been with them in action in Gallipoli.
In glowing terms he spoke of their prowess, and impressed upon his hearers that we owe it to them as a duty to securce and preserve their last great fight, the spot on which they had laid their lives for those at home.
Major B Butler DSO, MC & Bar
Major Bertram Butler DSO, MC & Bar we understand won his Cross for work in connection with Beaumont-Hamel, eloquent in praise of the courage of his comrades in that famous battle.
He vividly portrayed the wonderful pluck displayed by them in facing terrible odds and advancing as if on parade when repeated attacks by other and more seasoned troops had been broken and beaten back.
He appealed strongly to all to support the movement to keep sacred the last resting place of the many of Newfoundland’s bravest lads who gave their all for Right and Freedom on July 1st, 1916.
Captain Joe Nunns MC
Captain Joe Nunns, MC, also fought at Beaumont-Hamel, described the field and the manner in which the attack carried out. How the machine gun bullets swept like hail, through their ranks as men advanced with a courage never surpassed. And how his own party fell, around him as he was wounded.
The field of Beaumont-Hamel, he said, is a comparatively small plot, and should he preserved at all costs.
$10,000 purchase price
The sum necessary for the purchase of land for the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial $10,000, nothing considering the deeds and memories attaching to the field on which the men of ours so nobly proved themselves true sons of Britain, and it is the sacred duty of all to save that hallowed ground from desecration.
Mrs Browning
Mrs Browning, in a brief speech, spoke of the lesson of ”carrying on” as taught its by our heroes, and of the debt we owe them.
The preservation of their burial ground will show, though faintly some appreciation of their great sacrifice, and really a duty laid upon us which must he performed.
That all may participate in a movement that must appeal to every admirer of our gallant sons, and that the outports may assist, the amount of contributions will he limited to $1.
G.W.V.A. Ladies’ Committee
In concluding the meeting Lady Harris spoke as follows:
“I should like on the part of all to thank Colonel Bernard, Major Butler and Captain Nunns for their most interesting addresses. I feel sure that all Newfoundlanders must fee! strongly regarding the possession this hallowed piece of ground at Beaumont-Hamel, where rest the bodies of those heroic soldiers of the Colony; that bit of God’s acre, ‘a corner of a foreign land that will forever be Newfoundland.’ I hope it will all be into the possession of the people, and that the day may come when for themselves they will see the last resting place where their men ‘did, dared and died’ for their King and Country.”
Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
Decided to begin the work of collecting probably on Wednesday next April 14th, an appropriate date as it is the anniversary of the Battle of Monchy-le-Preux. Some 30 ladies under direction of the G.W.V.A. Ladies’ Committee, volunteered for the work and meet on Tuesday to arrange as to the sections canvassed, etc.
Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial Collection
14 April 1920, Evening Herald
Tomorrow the ladies who have kindly undertaken to collect from house to house the amount with which to pay for Beaumont-Hamel Field which is the scene of the most notable battle in which our boys engaged in the Great War, will begin their work. No person asked to give more than one dollar, and we would suggest that every householder have their dollar ready when the collector calls so as to facilitate the work and make it possible to complete the collection in one day.
Somme Battlefield Memorial Denied
Report of the Patriotic Association
Dr Burke thought the caribou unsuitable for the depositing on of wreaths at the annual religious service and would like a figure symbolizing the victory of Right over Wrong. Dr Robinson expressed disappointment at the delay in erecting the memorial proper, pointing out that it was no further advanced than in January 1918.
18 August 1920, Evening Herald
Report of the Patriotic Association
“The Memorial Hall should occupy a central position in the building behind the Monument and this Hall could be approached by the public from Merrymeeting Road.
The monument itself should be designed to consist of something more than Caribou, something of deeper significance is required for a Memorial commemorating the glorious dead and though the Caribou could be very effectively worked in to the design, it should not form the main outstanding feature.”
9 November 1920, Evening Herald
7 December 1920, Evening Herald
Lt Col Rev THOMAS Nangle
Albert, Somme, France, 7th December, 1920
I am enclosing a letter to the members of the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, and the relatives of the fallen in the hope that the array scheme put forward by the Memorial Committee may be “washed out” and at the same time to arouse the enthusiasm and sympathy of all citizens to action in a manner which has been allowed to die by one entrusted with the sacred task. I can do nothing at this distance, except write.
University Memorial
But as one who has laid to rest more of our heroes than any other man. I claim to have the inter-connection to these men more at heart than those that take twelve months to come to a rotten decision. Personally it makes no difference to neither have I a brief for Gotto, but I want to see those men fittingly commemorated, and that cannot be done by a “shoddy genteel” attempt at a University.
Thanking you in anticipation for publishing my letter, and asking you to keep awake those entrusted with the duty by publishing from time to time the progress they are making and by reminding the people of Newfoundland that the debt of the Fallen remains unpaid.
I am yours sincerely, T. NANGLE, C.F., Lieut.-Colonel.
Following his work with the Imperial War Graves Commission, Nangle moved to Southern Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and involved in British colony politics. Nangle never returned to Newfoundland before his death on 4 January 1972.
National War Memorial
Caribou Trail of Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorials
LtCol Thomas Nangle negotiated with hundreds of French landowners to get the land needed for the Caribou Trail monuments.
1922
Newfoundland Park
In 1922, a memorial park conceived by Padre Thomas Nangle and planned by Rudolph H K Cochius. Its design evokes the Newfoundland environment. Overlooking the battlefield stands a bronze caribou resting on a granite base surrounded by plants native to the island. Three bronze tablets bear the names of Newfoundlanders buried elsewhere.
1923
3 January 1923, The Evening Telegram
Memorial Park with Trenches
The Glasgow Evening News originally reported the centre of the park is to be a memorial, though it will not be the memorial to the Newfoundland contingent, but to the 29th Division, to which the RNR belonged.
Danger Tree
The trees to be planted to be brought direct from Newfoundland. Note the Danger Tree today is a replica of the original, purportedly shown in the following still from CBC.
The topography today suggests these are indeed original images of the Danger Tree. The image below certainly captured several years later (few limbs remain).
Danger tree today
While the danger tree survived the Great War, eventually replaced with a replica that now stands at the same spot in Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont-Hamel.
1924
28 September 1924
Unveiling of 51st Highland Division Memorial
The 51st Highland Division Memorial unveiled by Marshal Foch on 28 September 1924. The Gazette de Perone noted the desolated area now turned into a glorious park and an ever green memorial through the splendid efforts of Newfoundland, “that little fishing people”.
1925
7 June 1925
A cablegram received on the morning of 8 July 1925 by the Colonial Secretary’s Department from the Newfoundland High Commissioner.
Inauguration
Hundreds of visitors, with a large number from Newfoundland, witnessed an epoch making event in the Island’s history. The proceedings opened by Honourable J R Bennet.
“I have mixed feelings in performing the duty that I am charged with today by my Government, the duty of paying our respectful homage to the Glorious Dead of Newfoundland.”
Honourable J R Bennet
Sir Douglas Haig
The inauguration of the Park and the unveiling performed by Earl Haig.
“We are here to unveil a Memorial which will remind generations still unborn of the loyalty and courage of the Newfoundland men, and the mighty Empire which is our pride and inheritance. There are many other places in France or Flanders where memorials of the glorious achievements of the Newfoundland men in the Great War might fairly have been erected; there is for examples Masnieres, where on the 13th of November, 1917, the Newfoundland Battalion with other battalions of the 29th Division earned the special gratitude of the British Army for the splendid defence they made.”
Sir Douglas Haig
Following Haig’s address the Last Post, after which the Memorial dedicated by the Vicar General of Amiens. Mashal La Fayolle of France, accompanied by a distinguished company of officers of the French Army, delivered an inspiring address.
The ceremony, carried out in ideal weather conditions and with fitting solemnity, ended with a luncheon at the Log Cabin, where over one hundred assembled. The cabin built entirely from logs brought from the forests of Newfoundland.
Dead men can advance no farther
Regarding the conduct of the Regiment, Sir Douglas Haig wrote to Sir E P Morris (now Lord Morris) on 1 July 1925, and the Lieutenant-General who commanded the corps said:
“That battalion covered itself with glory on July 1st by the magnificent way in which it carried out the attack entrusted to It. It went forward to the attack when two other attacks on that same part of the line had failed, and by it’s behavior on that occasion It showed Itself worthy of the highest traditions of the British race, and proved itself to be a fit representative of the population of the oldest British colony. When the order to attack was given every man moved forward to his appointed objective in his appointed place as if on parade. There were no waverers, no stragglers, and not a man looked back. It was a magnificent display of trained and disciplined valour, and its assault only failed of success because dead men can advance no farther.
They were shot down by machine guns brought up by a very gallant foe under our intense artillery fire. Against any foe less well entrenched, less well organized, and above all, less gallant, their attack must have succeeded. As it was the action of the Newfoundland Battalion and the other units of the British left contributed largely to the victory achieved by the British and French farther south by pining to their ground the best of the German troops and by occupying the best of their artillery, both heavy and field. The gallantry and devotion of this battalion, therefore, was not in vain, and the credit of victory belong to them as much as to those troops farther south who actually succeeded in breaking the German line. An attacking army is like a football team: there is but one who kicks the goal, yet the credit of success belongs not alone to that individual but to the whole team whose concerted action led to the desired result.”
Sir Douglas Haig
Other Unveilings
No other Newfoundland memorials unveiled in 1925. In 1927, Captain Victor Gordon mentioned that an unveiling for the memorial in Belgium, with an invitation to the King of the Belgians, should be the only ceremony required.
1927
“In the early part of this year, at a meeting of Toch H, the question of the War Memorials in France and Flanders was spoken of, when it was stated that they were not being looked after, and that they were in rather disreputable condition.”
J R Bennett, Colonial Secretary to the Editor of the Evening Telegram
On 31 March 1927, Captain Gordon wrote to the High Commissioner’s Offices regarding his visit to the memorials, and J R Bennett forwarded the letter to The Evening Telegram.
18 April 1927, The Evening Telegram
Report on condition of memorials
“I have recently visited France on a tour of inspection of the Memorials and War Graves and can speak with up-to-date knowledge regarding their present condition, and it is with great pleasure to be able to allay any apprehension felt by the representatives of Toch H as to the care and maintenance of the Memorials, for I found them to be in excellent condition and extremely well cared for. The Memorials visited by me were seen in the following order.”
Captain Victor Gordon
- Coutrai in Belgium
- Masnieres
- Guedecourt
- Monchy-le-Preux
- Beaumont-Hamel
Courtrai
The Memorial at Courtrai looked after by M Vercruysse a wealthy merchant of the town living within a hundred yards of the site. His gardener takes a great deal of pleasure in seeing that it is kept clear of weeds; this about the only work necessary in connection with the plot, involving about half an hours labour every month. A kind gentleman, seeking no compensation, M Vercruysse invited Captain Gordon to his chateau. M Vercruysse inquired about a set of antlers that had been presented to him by Colonel Nangle at Beaumont-Hamel. Captain Gordon later saw to it that the antlers were shipped to M Vercruysse in Belgium.
Masnieres
The Memorial at Masnieres in splendid condition. Captain Gordon visited a M Bourlon following information received that the grounds damaged by hunters and their dogs. M Bourlon stated the hunters had damaged the base of the monument, but upon inspection, Captain Gordon of the opinion the old man was more peeved at the trespass of the hunters on his property. Upon enquiry, Captain Gordon found that M Bourlon had been employed by Colonel Nangle when the memorial was being erected.
M Bourlon had assumed he was still employed, and continued to maintain the plot by some weeding and grass cutting. He did not bother to inform the caretaker of Beaumont-Hamel (Mr Brown) of the amount due. Nevertheless, Captain Gordon saw to it M Bourlon was paid.
Mr Brown assured Captain Gordon he leaves the park on occasion to maintain the sites at Guedecourt, and Monchy-le-Preux. He mentioned the monument at Monchy-le-Preux has not the same finished appearance as the others but that it is due to its location on top of the ruins of an old building, which was destroyed by shellfire.
Overzealous farmer
An overzealous farmer caused several disturbances as late as 2018 at Hawthorne Ridge Cemetery, No.1, just outside the park, forcing the CWGC to issue warnings on it’s site. The present warning softened somewhat. “Please do not proceed beyond the hardened surface”.
1929
27 October 1929
Stéphane Passet, de l’Institut Albert Khan, a visité le parc, 27 octobre 1929, et a capturé plusieurs images époustouflantes en Autochrome – les premières photographies de production couleur.
Entrance
Entrée du parc Beaumont-Hame tel qu’il était en 1929. Remarquez le mémorial en arrière-plan.
Entrance d’aujourd’hui
Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
29th Division Memorial
Le premier jour de la bataille, le 1er juillet 1916, quelques unités de la 29e Division parviennent à atteindre le village de Beaumont-Hamel. Elle ne fut cependant saisie que le 13 novembre par la 51e division (Highland).
29th Division Memorial d’aujourd’hui
Hunter’s Cemetery
Beaumont-Hamel capturé plus tard par les 51e (Highland) et 63e (Royal Naval) divisions le 13 novembre 1916.
Hunter’s Cemetery (l’origine du nom peut faire référence à un aumônier attaché au Black Watch, le révérend Hunter), un grand obus -trou dans lequel les soldats de la 51e Division tombés lors de la prise de Beaumont-Hamel ont été enterrés après la bataille.
51st Highland Division Memorial
Le mémorial de la 51e division des Highlands a été inauguré par Marshal Foch, 28 septembre 1924, et est une statue sculptée d’un soldat écossais en kilt. Il regarde le paysage au-delà du ravin Y et au-delà de la ligne de front allemande, là où cette action réussie a éclaté.
Le monument Ecossais d’aujourd’hui
Y-Ravine Cemetery
Il s’appelait à l’origine Y Ravine Cemetery No. 1; Le cimetière n°2 a été concentré après l’Armistice au cimetière britannique d’Ancre, à Beaumont-Hamel.
Y-Ravine Cemetery d’aujourd’hui
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