Royal Newfoundland Regiment receives battle honours

Isidore ben-Jureidini

- August 19, 2012 at 07:29:51

Little Is Known About the Newfie Fighting Unit in World War 1 By Sonny Ben-Jureidini It’s known in the world over that Newfoundland is synonymous to hospitality. The Newfies will go out of their way to help or extend hospitality. One of the best examples happened during the 9-11 crises when flights to the U.S. were suspended and planes have to land and stay in Newfoundland. As a result, numerous passengers were stranded, the airports were full and the hotels were fully booked. In the end, every Newfie who has a house welcome the stranded passengers with open arms and offered their homes for shelter. No hospitality and assistance by the populace anywhere in history were seen in such magnitude. Newfoundland, however, is not just known for hospitality and beautiful and natural scenery. There’s something that needs to be brought to light. Little is known that this island off the eastern board of Canada was also the home of one of the best fighting units during World War 1. Although its contribution in numbers was much less than those supplied by other British Commonwealth, its military contribution is worth several divisions, their courage, fighting ability are second to none. They were much respected by its allies and by enemies alike. Germans storm troopers attacking the flank in the trenches, although outnumbered them, were aghast to find the determination and fighting ability of the Newfie regiment. The vaunted Newfie regiment was as courageous and efficient in their attacks and counter attacks. It could be summed up, that if there were 100,000 fighting Newfies on the allied side, World War 1 would have ended sooner, and probably the British would have been marching all the way to Berlin. In response to my invitation to visit me in Germany, a good friend of mine from Hawke’s Bay in Newfoundland finally came, and fulfilled what he dreamed most, to visit the old and bloodiest battle field in World War 1 .From Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg, he visited every place where the great battles of World War 1 took place, and pay home mage to the grounds where the vaunted Newfie regiment made its mark. It was a very emotional journey for him. He knew some descendants of those who fought and die during that bloody conflict. Bill Maynard owns a Torrent Inn in Hawke’s Bay. The hotel represents the best of comfort, the best of Newfie hospitality and represents the very image Newfie is known for.

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Eric Neil

- August 16, 2012 at 11:48:01

I am very proud of my Newfoundland Heritge and although the British Empire did very little for us we certainly did a great deal for them. We gave our very best in Blood and sweat and tears. I served in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Reserves for several years and have the Caribou tattooed on my chest. My ancestor Joseph Noel Was a member of the regiment in 1812 and was one of the Newfoundlanders who faught at Detroit. All I can say is that Britain Raped and plundered this island and then passed it over to Canada. I fly the Union Jack every July First not for love for Britian but for love of my comrads who faught under the flag. I say Congradulations to the Regiment and be proud. 23% of all British Casualties during the war of 1812 were Newfoundlanders.

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Rod Lee

- August 15, 2012 at 22:11:10

Topic; Battle Honours , The Royal Newfoundland Regiment , War of 1812 I’m very proud to say my direct ancestor who fought during the War of 1812. So much so that I have traced the actions of his Regiment , and wrote a directory listing almost every man in that Regiment, (which was part of the Regular British Army ). Trying to find where he was during that war. Sounds Boring !!! What if I told you the name of this Regiment was The Royal Newfoundland Regiment or as it was called then “The Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry 1803-1816” Elements of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry were present at almost every battle in Great Lakes region. One RNR OFFICER ( Lt. Andrew Bulger) even took a command far west as the Mississippi River ( fall 1814- spring 1815). In May 1812 at Quebec, weeks before outbreak of the war with the United States, Maj-Gen Brock deployed The RNR into smaller companies, or elements in defensive positions all over Upper Canada, Some even employed as Marines onboard naval vessels on the Great Lakes, (known as His Majesty’s Provincial Marine). At wars end the surviving members of the RNR would make their way back to St. John’s until the Regiment was Disbanded 24 June 1816 These men and their families would go on to settle in the New-found-Land and different parts of British North America the built and settle a country we now call Canada. On this the 200 years since the War of 1812.. It’s time all Newfoundlanders & Labradoreans as well as all Canadians, look back into our own history and be proud. Regards Rodney T. Lee (Author A Directory of Officers & Men of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment 1795-1816) And (Direct Descendant of Pte. Edward Lee 7th Company under Capt. R.P. Skinner The Royal Newfoundland Regiment of Fencible Infantry) Guelph, Ont. rodtlee@gmail.com

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Winston Adams

- August 15, 2012 at 19:03:26

Hay, of course the Mounties stole the Buffalo symbol. And the Americans the eagle symbol. If that was all we stole from the aboriginals! I feel no pride that some of this colony when to promote empire building. It started here when Sir Humphrey raised the flag for England in 1583. Now we have some so called freedoms, which were hard to get in place over the centuries. And these under Harper and Dunderdale are being chipped away. But I respect your view, that these events two centuries ago make you proud of your country and province. You probably have a military background. And your proud of your name . which is?

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hay

- August 15, 2012 at 16:10:36

Winston get a grip this was not supposed to be about who owns what. Get a grip. It is about. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment receiving an award. Stand proud for your province and country.

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Winston Adams

- August 15, 2012 at 14:06:33

Was the permission of the Beothic ever sought before stealing their symbol of the caribou? Much is made of the caribou, and the trail of the caribou, but it was to the Beothic as the buffalo was to the western Indians.

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