100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

[cosworth151]

Today, 1 July 2016, is the 100th anniversary of the start of the battle of the Somme. It was warfare on a frighteningly unimaginable scale. In that one day, the British suffered 57,470 casualties. That's more than the total combined British casualties in Crimean, Boer, and Korean wars. Over 19,000 British young men lost their lives that day.

They are all gone now, all of those who went off to the "war to end all wars" a century ago. It is up to us to see that their bravery and their sacrifices will never be forgotten.

[Jericoke]

July 1st is Canada Day, a day of celebration across our nation, except in Newfoundland and Labrador.

At that point in history, Newfoundland was a semi independent member of the British Empire (i.e., not part of Canada), and was fighting in the Great War as a British Regiment.

At the Battle of the Somme then entire Newfoundland regiment was wiped out.  Literally an entire generation of Newfoundland's bravest, strongest and smartest men were wiped out in a single day.

So while Canada celebrates, our 'Newfies' reflect on one of the greatest sacrifices a nation has ever made.

[cosworth151]

The courage & sacrifice of the Newfoundland Regiment, 88th Brigade, 29th Division, is the stuff of legend. After that first terrible day, only 68 men remained on the active roster - 324 were killed, or missing and presumed dead, and 386 were wounded.