July 1st, Canada Day, has a special significance in Newfoundland and Labrador. On July 1, 1916, the Battle of The Somme began at 7:30 am. At 9:15 am, the 1st Newfoundland Regiment, just over 800 men, went over the top at Beaumont-Hamel and advanced at walking pace into the fire of the machine guns. In about 30-40 minutes, 233 had been killed and 386 wounded. At Roll Call on July 2, only 68 soldiers were present. Almost the whole regiment had been lost. The 1st Essex Regiment, in a front line trench, who were supposed to support the Newfoundlanders, were not given the order to advance at the same time, so the Newfoundlanders were completely on their own and had climbed out of their trenches at the rear rather than go to the front line using the communications trenches, because the latter were clogged with wounded from the earlier attack waves. Hence they were exposed to enemy fire even earlier than they should have been. They bravely followed orders and continued to walk forward even though they were being cut down. Their heroism was incredible.
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See the complete Branch Report with photos.
The Abbotsford News has also posted a short article and video of the event.
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Overlooked Abbotsford Soldiers To Be Honoured at Vimy Ridge Day 2016 Ceremony.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 15, Abbotsford, is going to hold its sixth annual ceremony to commemorate Vimy Ridge Day on Saturday, April 9 at 6:45 p.m. at the Cenotaph, behind the City Hall. As always, the ceremony will be a Candlelight Vigil.
There are two major changes this year. Research has determined that a number of soldiers from Abbotsford who lost their lives in World War One have been overlooked and their names are not on the cenotaph. So far eleven soldiers have been confirmed as being Abbotsford and District residents who enlisted and lost their lives serving their country; ten will be honoured for the first time by having candles placed in their memory.
More Abbotsford soldiers will be “found” as the research continues and in the future a new plaque will be made for the cenotaph.
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Branch 15 member Cyril Holbrow has had a great honour bestowed upon him. The Government of France had decided to award to allied troops who took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy, France in 1944, their highest national honour, the Legion of Honour.
Cyril was one such soldier and was presented with this award by Mayor Henry Braun at the City of Abbotsford Council Meeting on February 16 (video is below).
As well as his military achievements, Cyril is a noted historian for the Community of Clayburn, which, in 1918, had a larger population than the Community of Abbotsford. Cyril has been involved in several publications concerning the history of Clayburn.
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The blood oozed out. The body was twisted in agony. The screams and the sounds of horror abounded.
Then the television ad was over and the news continued.
I do not know about you folks but I am finding the increased use of violence and mayhem in television and movies to be ever increasing.
I have seen my share of violence inflicted upon the human body. I know what a grenade can do to a young man in the prime of his life when he is blown to bits by accident. I have seen the smoked charred body of a wee boy suffocated by a fire in his home. I have watched outstanding members of communities slowly die with disease. There is any number of examples of what the human body must put up with in real time and real life. I do not need it impacted day by day and hour by hour on television. What can bother me too often is the sudden ad for a cruel program that is inserted in the midst of a pleasant and acceptable story I am watching. I find myself cringing at the sight of blood unexpected.