Project Summary
This site was developed by The Rooms Corporation of Newfoundland and Labrador in partnership with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Department of Education), as part of the Cultural Connections Strategy. The site was specifically designed for use by students and teachers in Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador History and Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205.
This site will also resonate with audiences who are interested in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador's involvement in the First World War. The site contains the military files of over 2200 soldiers from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who served in the First World War, including those of the 1305 young men who died in the conflict. These files are searchable by name or by community and will therefore provide invaluable information for all viewers, but will be of particular interest to those who are conducting either family or community research.
Additionally, this site contains:
- The 265 commendations received by members of the Regiment for distinguished service
- Overviews of the five military actions involving the Royal Newfoundland Regiment which are commemorated by the presence of a bronze caribou:
- Beaumont-Hamel, France (text overview | video overview)
- Gueudecourt, France (text overview | video overview)
- Monchy-le-Preux, France (text overview | video overview)
- Cambrai, France (text overview | video overview)
- Courtrai, Belgium (text overview)
- The War Diary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from September 1, 1915 to March 31, 1919
- A collection of artifacts presented in an interactive 3D environment (e.g., a soldier's outfit)
- The story of the Dominion of Newfoundland in raising a regiment at the outbreak of the First World War
- A brief commentary on the economic, political and social effects of Newfoundland and Labrador's participation in the First World War
In essence, this site not only provides information about this part of Newfoundland and Labrador's history, but is also intended to serve as an act of remembrance for those who gave so willingly to the cause of freedom.
Darryl Fillier
Barbara Bartlett
Contact Information
Every effort has been made to ensure that this site contains accurate information. Any errors or omissions should be reported to: archives@therooms.ca
Acknowledgements
The contributions by the following families and organizations is gratefully acknowledged:
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum
The Canadian War Museum
The Imperial War Museum
The Bell Island Heritage Society
The Angel Family
The Estate of Judge Rupert Bartlett
The Family of Edmond Moss
The Stacey Family
Additionally, the contributions of the following individuals are gratefully acknowledged:
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (Department of Education)
Primary/Elementary/Secondary Branch: Eldred Barnes
Development Team
Project Management
Darryl Fillier
Barbara Bartlett
Senior Researcher
John Garland
Researcher
Derek Matthews
Graphic Designer
Adam Freake
Programmer
Scott Martin
3D Artifact Animation*
Scott Martin
* The 3D interface developed for this project is freely
available for non-commercial use by organizations with
a cultural or educational mandate. The complete code
and directions for use are available here (3.1 MB .zip)
Expert Review
Dr. David Facey-Crowther
Dr. Mike O'Brien
Dr. Bernard Ransom
Writing and Editorial
Elizabeth Siegel
Barbara Bartlett
Darryl Fillier
John Garland
Kevin Giles
Derek Matthews
Jennifer Morgan
Media Production
Darryl Fillier
Margaret Angel
David Baltzer
Barbara Bartlett
Becky Forsey
Adam Freake
John Garland
Scott Martin
Tonya Power
Ashley Roche
Eric Walsh
Media Credits
Moving Images
All moving images used on this site have been provided by The Rooms Provincial Archives or the Imperial War Museum.
Part 3 - Daily Life
Leave
MAIN IMAGE
Dr. Cluny Macpherson in Egypt
The Rooms Provincial Archives A 24-155
Trenches
MAIN IMAGE
Soldiers occupying trenches
Memorial University of Newfoundland Archives and Special Collections Division
Medical
MAIN IMAGE
Wounded Soldier July 1, 1916
Newfoundland Regiment Museum
Accommodations
MAIN IMAGE
Newfoundland Regiment - Aldershot, group portrait and signal section
The Rooms Provincial Archives B 3-92b
Food
MAIN IMAGE
Daily Rations
Memorial University of Newfoundland Archives and Special Collections Division
Training
MAIN IMAGE
The Rooms Provincial Archives E22-42
Medal Images
Images of medals used in the Commendations page of this site are courtesy of:
The Rooms Provincial Archives
Croix de Guerre (Belgium)
Distinguished Conduct Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum
Military Medal
Distinguished Service Order
Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George
Croix de Guerre (French)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire (Officer)
Royal Victorian Medal
Canadian War Museum
Victoria Cross
Medal set
20020208-001-Tilston Memorial collection of Canadian Military Medals
© Canadian War Museum (CWM)
Museum of the Francs Arquebusiers of Vise
Chevalier de l’Ordre de Léopold II
World War 1 Document Archive (www.gwpda.org)
Bronze Medal for Military Valour - Italian/ Medaglia Al Valore Militare di Bronzo
The Estate of Judge Rupert Bartlett
Military Cross
Order of the Crown of Italy - Knight / Ordine della Corona d'Italia - Cavaliere
Order of the British Empire (Member- female)
Banner Credits - Part 1 L-R
Ist Newfoundland Regiment Call for Recruits
Ist Nfld. Regiment: Call for Recruits, 30 Nov 1914
The Rooms Provincial Archives, Special items collection MG956
William Ford Coaker
The Rooms Provincial Archives VA 82-2.1
Fishing image
The Rooms Provincial Archives VA 14-199/G.Anderson
Caribou
Courtesy Darryl Fillier
Soldiers Pulling Gun Carriage
The Rooms Provincial Archives E48-54
Nurse
Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web Project
Newfoundland and the Great War
PANL P7-B1
Banner Credits - Part 2 L-R
Shell Exploding Behind Barbed Wire, Beaumont Hamel, France, July 1916
The Rooms Provincial Archives B2-41
Sergeant Thomas Ricketts, V.C.
The Rooms Provincial Archives D-1 courtesy of Mrs. Edna Ricketts
Victoria Cross
Medal Set 20020208-001 Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals
© Canadian War Museum (CWM)
Drawing of a Lewis Gun
The Rooms Provincial Museum
Caribou
Courtesy Darryl Fillier
Soldiers Eating
Memorial University of Newfoundland Archives and Special Collections Division
Willis Spurrell Pay Book
The Rooms Provincial Museum #985.35.5
Banner Credits - Part 3 L-R
Soldiers of the Newfoundland Regiment marching through Berneville, France
The Rooms Provincial Archives B 5-190
Postcard: A Safe Return
The Rooms Provincial Museum
Gas Mask
The Rooms Provincial Museum
Caribou
Courtesy Darryl Fillier
Sewing in Trenches
Memorial University of Newfoundland Archives and Special Collections Division
Cpl. Arthur Jesseau
The Rooms Provincial Archives A 11-140
Banner Credits - Part 4 L-R
Colonial Building
Memorial University of Newfoundland Archives and Special Collections Division, Coll. 137, 2.04.001
Honourable F.C. Alderdice
The Rooms Provincial Archives A23-101
War Cemetery
The Rooms Provincial Archives A59-56
Caribou
Courtesy Darryl Fillier
Dedication of National War Memorial, St. John's, 1 July 1924
The Rooms Provincial Archives E 47-40
Opening of Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont-Hamel, France, 7 June 1925
The Rooms Provincial Archives NA3106