On July 1, 1916, British forces began the bloodiest day of their history. The objective of the day was to smash through the German lines located in the Somme region of France after, they believed, the artillery had smashed all defences.
The sole Newfoundland regiment (as part of the British army) was assigned the section of the line at Beaumont-Hamel. Although this was the Newfoundlanders’ first battle in France, they had seen action in Gallipoli and had trained themselves into top form. Unfortunately, training and experience mean little when faced with a storm of machine gun fire and German defences dug deeply into the ground – far from the effects of the artillery’s shrapnel. The casualties sustained on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme totaled 57,470, of which 19,240 were fatal. No unit suffered heavier losses than the Newfoundland Regiment. 801 men went “over the top” that morning. Only 68 men answered their names at the roll call the next day.
The final figures that revealed the virtual annihilation of the Newfoundland Battalion gave a grim count of 255 killed or dead of wounds, 386 wounded, and 91 missing. Every officer who went forward in the Newfoundland attack was either killed or wounded. The British Army as a whole 57,470 casualties compared to 8000 on the German side.
The Newfoundland Regiment was bestowed with the prefix "Royal," in 1918, by King George V in recognition of its valor at the Somme and its "magnificent bravery and resolute determination" at Ypres and Cambrai. The small loyal colony had suffered more losses proportionally than any other part of the Empire, including Britain.
While the rest of Canada celebrates the founding of the country on July 1, many Newfoundlanders take part in solemn ceremonies to remember the soldiers who gave their lives at Beaumont Hamel.
A memorial to the Newfoundland Regiment has been placed at the battle site. Aside from the notable preserved trenches and memorials, Newfoundland Memorial Park is famed also for the 'Danger Tree', a trunk skeleton marking the spot where casualties were highest on July 1. There is some debate as to whether the tree skeleton is an original remnant of the war - the popular view is sceptical.
Read a gripping account of the battle here.
The song Recruiting Sargeant recites the history of the Blue Puttees.
More information about The Blue Puttees
The Newfoundland Beaumont Hamel Memorial
First World War.com - Beaumont Hamel Memorial
Watch a video clip from, and order a documentary video about Beaumont Hamel and the Newfoundland Regiment from The War Amps