Newfoundland & Labrador

RB-36H-25, 51-13721 (Provided by Neville Webb, Mike Webb and Stephen Webb) Introduction - On the 18th March 1953, RB-36H-25 51-13721 off course, and in bad weather, crashed into a ridge high above Nut Cove, Smith Sound, Newfoundland, Canada. All of the twenty-three of the crew, which included Brigadier-General Richard Ellsworth, were killed in the crash. The RB-36 wreck site is reached by driving east from Clarenville to Burgoyne's Cove.

At Burgoyne's Cove a gravel road, to a slate quarry further along the shore of Smith Sound, gives access to the base of the trail at Nut Cove that leads up to the wreck site. The wreck site lies across a 780 feet Above Sea Level (approximately) SouthWest-NorthEast ridge, which is cut through by a short narrow valley or notch. The main impact was along a flight line approximately ninety degrees to the east face of the ridge at 720 feet Above Sea Level (approximately). This particular wreck site is unique because of the size of the aircraft involved, the fact that parts of the aircraft's major structure are still in-situ, together with related aircraft items such as engines and propellers. Para-Rescuers' Story - I have spoken a number of times with one of the Royal Canadian Air Force Para-rescuers, Steve Trent from Trenton, Ontario, now 86 years of age. Steve, a Corporal at that time, recalls how he and Joe Coutourier parachuted at 700 feet from a United States Air Force C47 (just below cloud base).

The C47 took off on this mission from Torbay Airport (St. John's, Newfoundland) and was piloted by Major Rich (United States Air Force). Steve recalls they were in a hurry to jump over a frozen 'pond' (Nut Cove Pond), as the surrounding 'hills' were in cloud, and they"….just wanted to get out of here before they hit something". That evening Steve and Joe set up camp at the base of the west side of the ridge, at the edge of the frozen Nut Cove Pond. The following morning, leaving their jump gear at the campsite, and wearing snowshoes they made their way up the steep side of the main ridge, through the small valley to the tail section of the B36. Steve says they didn't see the front fuselage of the B36 at the west end of the valley.

Steve and Joe emerged from their climb by the Tail unit of the aircraft. Two local woodcutters were already at the site of the impact on the east side of the ridge. Steve recalls a few bodies were lying around; 'flight orders' were on the flight suit of one of the crew, and documents marked 'Top Secret' were lying around. Steve and Joe made a pile of various items and documents lying around. Later that afternoon United States Air Force personnel arrived by helicopter. Steve and Joe were invited by the two woodcutters to spend the night at their small cabin beside the shore, and they made their way down the east ridge.

The following morning Steve and Joe went back to their campsite and collected their parachutes and other gear. Later a Royal Canadian Air Force Canso landed nearby on Smith Sound, Steve and Joe were picked up and flown out. Later at Fort Pepperell, St. John's, both Steve and Joe were awarded the United States Soldier's Medal. This memorial is comprises a pyramidal type base about one meter high, with slate panels around four sides; one panel for each aircraft crew member.

A propeller blade from the B36 is mounted in the vertical position at the top. Originally the memorial had a 'plastic' plaque naming the members of the RB-36H 51-13721 crew and the date of the crash event, March 18th, 1953. Over the years, this memorial had fallen into some disrepair. For the Fiftieth Anniversary (2003) of the crash event, a bronze replaced the former plaque and the slate panels refitted. Steve Trent was present for this ceremony.

This memorial is dedicated to veterans of the First and Second World Wars from the Bunyan’s Cove area. It was erected by the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch number 48.

The building was renamed Whiteway Memorial Centre on November 7, 1999.

The Victoria War Memorial was erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars. The memorial is located next to the town hall. Behind the memorial there is a little part where trees and flowers are planted.

The Port de Grave War Memorial was constructed in 1951 in memory of those who served and paid the supreme sacrifice during the First and Second World Wars. It was erected by the members of the First World War Veterans' Association, Port de Grave Branch, and the citizens of Port de Grave, Bareneed, and Otterbury.

The unveiling and dedication of the plaque presented to St. James' Church, Pool's Island, by Reginald Janes, was on September 29, 1985, in honour of the 24 members of that congregation who served in the Forces during the First and Second World Wars.

Shown in the picture are Mrs. May Pinsent, daughter of William Sheppard who was wounded at Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916, Reg Janes, Second World War veteran, and Reverend Munden Waye, Anglican Priest.

The Hearts Delight War Memorial was constructed in memory of those who served and lost their lives in the two World Wars and the Korean Conflict. Erected in memory of those who paid the supreme sacrifice: Bishop, Allan Bryant, Aaron Crocker, Harrison Crocker, Job Crocker, Stanley Legge, Joseph Reid, Allan Reid, Joseph Reid, Samuel Reid, Stephen S. Sharp, Charles Wiseman, Marcus Branton, Norman Chislett, Percy Reid, Jack Bishop, Max

The cenotaph was originally erected in the community of Flat Islands in memory of those who lost their lives in the First World War. In 1920, the Women's Patriotic Association of Flat Islands purchased the cenotaph and placed other names on the cenotaph. In 1962, the Eastport Branch 41 of the Royal Canadian Legion moved the cenotaph to Eastport and additional names were placed on the cenotaph. The cenotaph is located close to the main road, just south of the Anglican Church.

The Upper Island Cove War Memorial was erected in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

The cenotaph received a facelift ahead of a re-dedication ceremony held June 29, 2017. The war memorial committee secured $30,000 of private donations and $25,000 from the province to replace the crumbling concrete wall that was on the site. A new brick wall has been built both behind and in front of it, and a new concrete base has been laid.

On top of the new concrete is a combination of new and old. The original marble cenotaph, dedicated in the 1950s, stands at the forefront. The older monument was re-finished so the names inscribed on it are noticeable. To either side, rest the new additions - a pair of granite monuments. A new flagpole was installed in the coming days, and some landscaping.

This memorial, formed through the relocation and reconstruction of two older war memorials, was rededicated on 1 July 1997. It is dedicated to the local war dead and veterans of the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War.