Newfoundland & Labrador

Suvla Road was built in 1916-20. On September 14, 1915, the Newfoundland Regiment set sail for Suvla Bay. The Regiment's 1,076 men landed on the shores of the Dardanelles at about 3 a.m. on September 20. They came under immediate fire from Turkish troops.

The Newfoundland Regiment lost its first man in battle soon after arriving at Suvla Bay. Private Hugh McWhirter was 21 years old when a Turkish shell killed him on September 22, 1915. The next day, a sniper's bullet killed Private William Hardy. He was 22 years old.

The Allied forces could not control Suvla Bay and evacuated between December 18, 1915 and January 9, 1916. The Newfoundland Regiment lost its final man at Gallipoli, Private Robert Morris, one day before the withdraw was complete.

The Gallipoli Campaign reduced the Newfoundland Regiment to 17 officers and 470 other ranks. Forty-four of its men died and hundreds more were recovering from enemy fire or disease in military hospitals. The Regiment withdrew to Egypt for two months of training and recuperation.

Other streets named from Battles from the Great War include: Beaumont Avenue, Polygon Road, Monchy Road and Perrone Road. Haig Road was named for the British Field Marshall, later so vilified for the failure of the Somme Offensive, who commanded the British Expeditionary Force, which included the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Polygon Road was built in 1919-20. In September of 2018, Led by B and D companies, and assisted by heavy rain and poor visibility from smoke and low clouds, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment climbed Bellwaarde Ridge, and by noon was in Polygon Wood in defence. They then moved forward at 4 pm to Polygon Racecourse, which they occupied for the night. They had moved forward three miles with 15 casualties.

Other streets named from Battles from the Great War include: Beaumont Avenue, Suvla Road, Monchy Road, and Perrone Road. Haig Road was named for the British Field Marshall, later so vilified for the failure of the Somme Offensive, who commanded the British Expeditionary Force, which included the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

Beaumont Avenue, an improvement on what was said to be an old logging or portage, was built in 1916-20, in memory of Beaumont-Hamel, France, which was a major battleground during the Battle of the Somme. The location in which 92 per cent of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was either killed or wounded, many from Grand Falls.

Other streets named from Battles from the Great War include: Suvla Road, Polygon Road, Monchy Road, and Perrone Road. Haig Road was named for the British Field Marshall, later so vilified for the failure of the Somme Offensive, who commanded the British Expeditionary Force, which included the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

The Glenwood War Memorial was dedicated on October 26, 2019. There were 63 people from Glenwood who went to war. The ceremony was attended by Lieutenant Governor Judy Foote and federal, provincial, municipal and military officials and representatives. 

Made of granite from the United States, the memorial is located at the heart of the park at the end of a walkway of crushed stone. Information tablets are on either side of the walkway, a row of donated cedar trees are located on the right side and a white chain link fence along the left side. To the left of the memorial are three flag poles.

On Saturday, August 8, 2015 the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada (QORC) monument was unveiled at the Gander Heritage Memorial Park. This stone marker was unveiled to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada in Newfoundland during World War 2 on Saturday, August 10, 1940. They arrived by ship into the Port of Botwood on that same day, some stayed in Botwood and the remainder moved on to Gander by train. Their mission was the defense of Newfoundland by providing security for both strategic airfields at Botwood and Gander.

This commemorative event was organized by The Maritimes Newfoundland Branch of the QORC. A similar stone marker was unveiled in Botwood the next day Sunday, August 9. The QORC was assisted by 91 Construction Engineering Flight of 9 Wing Gander for both stone markers. 9 Wing Gander also provided the public address system and the music for the singing of "O Canada" and "God Save the Queen" for Friday's ceremonies in Gander.

BACKGROUND
(from the unveiling ceremonies' program)

The Ferry Command Memorial was dedicated by the Reverend Wesley Oake on September 17, 2017. Ferry Command, a collaborative effort of civilians, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and other allies, was an ambitious effort to transport combat aircraft manufactured in Canada and the United States to Second World War operational airfields in the United Kingdom, and other theatres of war.

To avoid catastrophic losses incurred by sea transport, the plan was to fly the aircraft across the North Atlantic Ocean. Given that there had been fewer then 100 successful air crossings of the Atlantic Ocean, the transatlantic flights of Ferry Command were an exercise in ingenuity, determination, and immense bravery.

On the evening of November 10, 1940, seven Lockheed Hudson bombers, led by Captain C.T. Bennett, departed Gander to attempt the 2,100 mile crossing of the Atlantic to Great Britain. Eleven hours later all seven aircraft landed successfully in Northern Ireland.

Over the course of the War, almost 3,500 civilian and military personnel from 23 allied nations (including 1500 Newfoundlanders) played roles in Ferry Command. Of the 10,000 aircraft designated for trans-Atlantic delivery, an unanticipated 95% arrived safely. A significant number of flights across the North Atlantic departed Gander at night and during the winter months. At least 560 personnel lost their lives in these efforts.

The Point Leamingtom War Memorial, located in the Town Park, was constructed in 1985 in memory of the First and Second World Wars, and Korean War Veterans. It was erected by the Town of Leamington and the Royal Canadian Legion of Botwood.

This Memorial was unveiled on August 16th, 1991, in memory of Dr. Sir Frederick Banting (discoverer of insulin), F/O William Bird, co-pilot, and R/O William Snailham, Radio. This Memorial is 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet, and 3 inches thick. It is made of marble stone that was constructed by Muir's Stone Cutters in St. John's. Muir's Stone Cutters also donated the plaque.

The memorial was constructed in May 1922 in memory of the soldiers killed in action, The July Drive, WWI 1914-1918. The monument has a base 18"x18"x20", a tower 16"x16' base 7" at top which is 56" high. A caribou is carved at the base and the word "Newfoundland". The names of the soldiers are on the lower square block. It is brownish marble and is polished against weather conditions. The memorial is located on the main street in front of the Public Building (The Jesse Russell Building).

The memorial was constructed on June 1st, 1947, in memory of The Royal Navy and Regiment who were killed in action during WWII 1939-1945. The Diamond Lodge Public Subscription erected the memorial. The memorial is a square base block 20"x20"x16', a second block 16"x16"x4", and a tower 12"x12"x38" high. The names of all those who served are engraved on the front and sides of the monument. The monument is made of gray granite, polished against weather conditions.