Virtually exploring the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

Aim

To provide a general overview of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War, as well the many memorials within the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial park that are erected to remember the sacrifices and military achievements.

Objectives

Youth will be expected to:

• demonstrate a basic understanding of the key aspects of Newfoundland’s participation in the First World War during the Battle of the Somme; and
• develop an awareness of the memorials and monuments within Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial park, and the meaning and significance of each.

Learning through this interactive Beaumont-Hamel map will provide information about when and how the various memorials were erected. The activity will provide youth with an insight into how the people of Newfoundland felt during the aftermath of war, how they reacted to the experience of war and how they made decisions about remembrance. Youth can examine details of the memorials and inscriptions, and learn how each memorial within the park holds a particular meaning.

Target Audience

This activity is suitable for ages 12 to 17.

Sequence of events and anticipated time frame [60 minutes]

• Introductory discussion [15 minutes]
• Expert group research [20 minutes]
• Presentations [25 minutes]
• Possible extension activities [variable]

Materials

• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial interactive map
• The Newfoundland Regiment and the Battle of the Somme fact sheet
• 10 Quick Facts on…The First World War
• 1916 - Prelude to the Somme

Introductory discussion [15 minutes]

The First World War began on August 4, 1914. Ask your students what they know about this major event that took place more than 100 years ago, changing the world and Canada in many ways. You may want to use 10 Quick Facts on... The First World War, or 1916 - Prelude to the Somme to help with the discussion.

Ask students to talk about prior knowledge, movies they have seen, books they have read, websites they have visited or songs they have heard pertaining to the First World War. Are they aware that Canada played a role in the war? Do they know that Newfoundland was not a Canadian province during the First World War? Despite the fact that Newfoundland was a Dominion during the war, many Newfoundlanders answered the call and volunteered to serve in the war.

Tell your students that the lesson will focus on the efforts and sacrifices of Newfoundlanders, more specifically during the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, on July 1, 1916, a date that still echoes today in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Share that July 1, 2016, marks the 100^th anniversary of the tragic Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. Special events and ceremonies will mark this important milestone, in Canada and in France. Even though there are no Veterans from that battle alive today, Canadians and especially Newfoundlanders still remember those who served and sacrificed in the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.

Explain that there are many memorials within the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial park, in France, each with its own symbolism.

Many war memorials within the park are of the ‘traditional’ forms such as cemeteries. However statues can also be found of people and animals. They may form the whole memorial itself or be part of a larger monument. Often the monuments are dedicated to commemorate a specific group such as the Highlanders, or the Newfoundlanders.

There are as well many war memorial crosses. Youth will see the Cross of Sacrifice, used in larger Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemeteries around the world, as well as a more modest wooden cross. Plaques are used throughout the park, some with messages or poems, and others to inscribe names or indicate the status of a certain memorial. For example, you will find three plaques at the base of the caribou monument with lists of names. Often plaques with names carry emotional importance.

Windows that commemorate war dead are another form of memorial. There is a commemorative stained glass window in the visitor centre at Beaumont-Hamel park with symbolism embedded in a rather unique design.

War memorials following the First World War were created by various communities according to decisions made by local committees. There were no guidelines about what design a memorial should take. This led to a wide range of designs, and it is why the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial park is such an important part of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canadian heritage. It reflects the wishes of the community at that time, and provides us with an understanding of the feelings of the Newfoundland people after the tragic battle during the First World War.

Expert groups research [20 minutes]

Prior to the activity, the students should each visit the section “History of the battle of the Somme” to read the fact sheet The Newfoundland Regiment and the Battle of the Somme to provide them with some background knowledge.

Using a map, have students locate France and the village of Beaumont-Hamel.

Divide students into groups and assign them to different stations (there are 14 different locations on the interactive map).

They can visit their assigned station, view the image galleries and access any further information online. They will read up on that monument and prepare a short presentation about that particular station, recognizing the reason it is there, what it symbolizes, design features, etc.

Youth are also encouraged to search online for more information on their assigned station.

Presentations [20 minutes]

After the research is complete, each group will become an “expert” on their assigned station, and can share their knowledge with their peers through short presentations. After the presentations, each expert group will have taught the class about their station, and youth will know more about the Beaumont-Hamel Memorial park.

Following the expert group activity, youth should read through the section on the interactive map “Remembering the Newfoundlanders,” (under Additional information, select “Remembrance”) whether individually or as a group. This explains the ways Newfoundlanders and Canadians still remember to this day.

Possible extension activities

You could present the video Canada and the Great War 1914-1918: A Nation Born (20 minutes), on Canada’s involvement in the First World War. Following the video, have youth engage in discussions of specific themes and topics pertaining to the “Great War” and Canada’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme as well as Newfoundland’s connection to Beaumont-Hamel. Another extension activity could involve planning an imaginary commemorative trip to Europe where students choose which remembrance-related sites they would like to visit, for both First and Second World War. This could inspire future real-life travel plans!