Newfoundland National Memorial

The Newfoundland National Memorial in St. John's, though funded locally, represents the war effort of Newfoundlanders who were not part of Confederation during either of the World Wars. The maintenance of the memorial falls under the responsibility of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This Memorial stands in St. John's main street with the famous old harbour as its backdrop. It commemorates all of Newfoundland's wartime achievements on land and sea. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Mercantile Marine and the Forestry Corps are each represented by lifelike bronze figures. Above, on a granite pedestal, a female figure representing freedom holds aloft a torch.

The monument is at the back of a semicircular wall of granite approached by wide stone steps. Flowers in stone urns flank the approach and fine shade trees have been planted about the dais.

Britain's "oldest colony" sent 8,500 soldiers and sailors abroad in the First World War, out of a population of less than 250,000, over 1,500 gave their lives. The Memorial was unveiled by Field Marshall Haig on the anniversary of Newfoundland's great First World War battle at Beaumont Hamel. Since joining Canada in 1949 as the tenth province, Newfoundland not only observes Canada Day on July 1 each year; she also remembers Beaumont Hamel.

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This Memorial stands in St. John's between Water and Duckworth Streets with the famous old harbour as its backdrop.