The article discusses the emotional end to a years-long effort to bring the remains of a soldier from Newfoundland who was killed in the battlefields of France during the First World War. The soldier’s remains will be laid to rest in St. John’s on Monday, with a ceremony at the National War Memorial. Berkley Lawrence, a Newfoundland resident and Canadian military veteran, was among the delegation that brought the Unknown Soldier’s remains home. This initiative aims to honor the soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who lost their lives in the war, particularly during the disastrous battle at Beaumont-Hamel.
July 1st in Newfoundland and Labrador is observed as Memorial Day, commemorating the soldiers from the Newfoundland Regiment who perished in World War I. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the war memorial in St. John’s, further highlighting the significance of this day. The impact of the staggering death toll at Beaumont-Hamel is still felt in Newfoundland today, with many communities affected by the loss of their young men to the war effort. As a self-governing dominion within the British Empire during the war, Newfoundland raised significant funds to send its men into battle, contributing to its mounting public debt.
Author Michael Crummey, co-writer of the documentary “Newfoundland at Armageddon,” notes the personal connection many Newfoundlanders feel to the losses of World War I due to the province’s tight-knit community. The war not only resulted in a devastating human toll but also had lasting economic impacts, influencing Newfoundland’s decision to return to British control and later join Canada in 1949. The Memorial Day observance in Newfoundland is a way to remember the nation’s lost sovereignty, in addition to honoring the sacrifices made during the war. Bringing the Unknown Soldier home provides a physical space for people to process their emotions and pay their respects to those who served.
The efforts to refurbish the war memorial and bring the Unknown Soldier home were spearheaded by veterans like Berkley Lawrence, Frank Sullivan, and Gary Browne. Working for several years, they successfully lobbied to have the soldier laid to rest in Newfoundland, as a tribute to all deceased Newfoundlanders and Labradorians with unknown graves. The soldier’s tomb will represent the collective memory of those who served in various branches of service during the war. The clear markings on the uniforms of members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, such as the caribou button or Newfoundland flashes, served as symbols of allegiance and identity during the conflict.
As the remains of the Unknown Soldier lie in state at the provincial legislature, the public has the opportunity to pay their respects before the soldier is laid to rest on Monday. While the ceremony will undoubtedly be emotional for many, it also represents a sense of closure and relief for those involved in the years-long effort to bring the soldier home. The burial of the Unknown Soldier in St. John’s serves as a poignant reminder of Newfoundland’s wartime sacrifices and the lasting impact of the First World War on the province. This act of remembrance and commemoration on Memorial Day honors the fallen soldiers and offers a space for reflection and gratitude for their service.
