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Faith Carried With You

Every soldier brought something with them from home, whether a token from family, community, or faith. These had to be small, something to fit in a pocket, a bag, or around their neck. Items like this were symbols of why they fought, and what gave them the drive to keep fighting. They sought solace and comfort in these reminders of home and community, something bigger than themselves.

For Pte. John Joseph Peddell (#705), some of the tokens he brought were of his faith. One was his rosary beads: black beads with a silver chain and crucifix. The second was a small, black leather case that held a crucifix, prayers, and identification/instructions in case of death. The third is a small religious icon of Madonna and Child. The figures are made of brass and are held within a two piece brass case. All three are the perfect size so Peddle could bring them with him wherever he went while serving in the Regiment.

Come visit the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum to see other tokens and items carried by soldiers from the Regiment, including Peddle’s Rosary Beads, Prayer Book, and Icon.

German “Sawtooth” Mauser Rifle Bayonet

While many bayonets were issued during the First World War, one of the more brutal ones is the S98/05, nicknamed the “Sawtooth” or “Sawback” because of its serrated side. Two versions of this bayonet were created: one with the serrated backside and one without. The Sawtooth was designed as a tool to clear brush and barbed wire, characteristics of no-man’s land in the First World War.

The wounds created by the serrated side were so violent that British and French soldiers would execute any German soldier found with a Sawtooth on them. This led to the eventual recall of this bayonet by the German military, who filed the teeth down before reissuing them.

Come visit the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum to see the Sawtooth brought home by Captain Eric Chafe. You can find it in the front case, in our temporary exhibit on Captain Chafe.

*https://hansonslive.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk/m/lot-details/index/catalog/36/lot/12968?url=%2Fm%2Fsearch%3Fpage%3D4%26view%3Dlist

Mug and Utensils

Utensils and mug belonging to Cpl. Walter L. Thistle #215 during his time as a POW in the POW Camp in Grosborn, Prussia (now Poland) in 1918.

Thistle created the mug from C & E Morton tin which housed either cocoa or jam. It is engraved with his name and the date of his capture: December 3rd, 1917 (at the Battle of Cambrai). Additionally, the mug has the Regimental Caribou insignia.

The Spoon, Knife, and Fork were used by Thistle during his time as a POW of the Germans. The fork has no identifying features except for a decorative design along the handle, in particular the deer/stag at the handle’s base.The spoon is a silver plated nickel with an ID engraved into the back of the handle. The knife has the imprint of “Bester Stahl Solingen”. This is a manufacturer’s mark as it was made in Solingen, Germany. Solingen is also known as the “City of Blades” and has long been renowned for makers of fine swords, knives, scissors, and razors.

Postcard, depicting a group of Prisoners of War at Schneidemuhl, Germany. L-R: Walter Thistle, Newfoundland Regiment (St. John’s), Gervais (French Army), Arthur Harlet (Rouen, France), unknown, Joseph Babstock, Newfoundland Regiment (Eastport). (ACC#2007-45)

Captain Eric Chafe #52

Captain Eric Chafe #52 was a Blue Puttee and one of The First Five Hundred of the Newfoundland Regiment. Having enlisted on September 2nd, 1914, he went on to serve throughout the First World War.

Captain Eric Chafe’s Military Cross in box (Top, Left), Chafe’s 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, and Victory Medal (Top, Center), and the award of his cross (Center, Right)
ACC#2019-060B, 2019-060P.1, 2019-060P.2, 2019-060Q

“The award of the Military Cross to 2nd Liet Eric C. Chafe, of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, has been granted. He is the son of L.G. Chafe, Esq. Merchant of St. John’s, Newfoundland.

The Military Cross was awarded for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in taking command of his Company after all officers had become casualties. He led his men with great gallantry to the attack in spite of determined hostile operation , and successfully carried out the work of Consolidation under intense Machine gun and shell fire”*.

It was during the Battle of Poelcappelle that he earned the military cross. The military cross was awarded to Chafe on October 9th, 1917**.

Visit the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum to see a special display highlighting Captain Eric Chafe. Included in the display are his military medals (including his military cross) and his Pattern 1897 Infantry Sword and Scabbard. While several pieces of his collection will remain on display, there is a limited time to see his special display at the front of the museum.

*London Weekly, January 1918

**Cramm, Richard. “The First Five Hundred of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment”. Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s, Newfoundland and Labrador: Boulder Publications, 2015, p. 153.

***https://biblio.uottawa.ca/omeka2/jmccutcheon/items/show/774

The Volunteer Pin

The Volunteer or “I Have Offered” pin is from World War II. It was given to individuals who offered to enlist but were rejected for any number of reasons: recognition of their attempt and intent to serve and protect their country.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum currently holds one in its collection (see picture, ACC#2007-140). Once belonging to Private A.P. Greene (Regt #251), it suggests that he volunteered for service again in World War II after he fought and was injured during the Great War.

To see the Volunteer Pin, and Private Greene’s other medals up close visit the museum and see them on display. To learn more about Private Greene and his medals, please see his entry on the museum’s “Wall of Honour”: https://theroyalnewdev.wpenginepowered.com/wall-of-honour/sgt-augustine-gus-greene/.

Museum hosts Turkish Delegation

On Tuesday April 24, 2018 The Royal Newfoundland Regiment hosted a visit by a Turkish Delegation visiting Newfoundland and Labrador as a part of an information and discussion sessions to facilitate the placement of a Caribou Memorial in Gallipoli, Turkey.

Speaker of the House of Assembly Announces Caribou for Gallipoli.

On April 25 the Turkish Delegation along with Hon Perry Trimper, and representatives from Honour 100, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Regimental Advisory Council and the The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum laid wreaths in remembrance of the service and sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand Forces who died during the Gallipoli Campaign.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment will continue to remember with more events planned this weekend.

https://theroyalnewdev.wpenginepowered.com/event/regimental-birthday-april-25/

Taylan Aydin, Derya Serbetci and Nehat Degrirmenci

Perry Trimmper, Ronald Penney, Taylan Aydin, Derya Serbetci and Nehat Dirirmenci

Nehat layng a wreath on behalf of the Republic of Turkey

Perry Trimper and Melanie Martin laying wreath on behalf of NL

Major Kyle Strong, Col (ret’d) Perry Grandy, LCol (ret’d) John MacDonald and RSM Ed Nolan

Captain (ret) Ken Lutz presents banners at the Trail of the Caribou Series during the Beaumont-Hamel Centennial Cup

A veteran of eight campaigns and a member of the Military Order of Merit, Captain (ret) Ken Lutz presents the winning teams of the Trail of the Caribou series with banners representing one of four Caribous that were erected to commemorate the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s battles during the First World War. Lutz retired from the Royal Newfoundland Regiment after 41 years of service. He is also a member of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Committee. Congratulations to all the teams for their hard work in getting this far in the tournament.

The Museum will be there again today during the championship final and will be drawing for a Trail of the Caribou pin set.

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The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Tournament – Beaumont-Hamel Centennial Cup

The Museum in support of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment has been manning a booth at the annual Royal Newfoundland Regiment Memorial High School Hockey Tournament — the Beaumont Hamel Centennial Cup being held in Paradise this weekend. The organizers have created a fantastic event in memory of those who fought and died with the famous regiment during the First World War. On Friday APril 13, the tournament was officially opened in the presence of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment band and a ceremonial puck drop with members of the unit. Best of luck to all teams in today’s Trail of the Caribou rounds.

Celebrate the Regiment’s 223rd Birthday April 25 with some cool swag

Great time to stock up and save on some cool swag.

In celebration of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s 223 Birthday you can save 20% off your next purchase.

Online Gift Shop

If ordering more than one item please send your order to rnfldrmuseum@gmail.com so we can process your shipping costs. Please quote CELEBRATE in your email. We will issue you an invoice to pay online within two working days. Email must be received before the end of day on Wednesday April 25, 2018

Coupon expires on April 25, 2018

*excluding books

Private Lester Barbour #3907 died of wounds 100 years ago

One hundred years ago, on March 10, 1918, Private Lester Densmore Barbour, # 3709 of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the son of Edward and Mary Barbour of Newtown, Bonavista Bay died of wounds in Belgium.

Lester joined the Newfoundland Regiment in the field on December 11, 1917. He was later wounded in the trenches on March 10, 1918 and transferred to the 87^th Field Ambulance where he succumbed to shrapnel wounds to his chest.

He was born into the famous merchant and sealing family of Barbours whose historic enterprise, today the Barbour Living Heritage Village, dominates the Newtown landscape.

Lester wrote numerous letters home to his mother during his time in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. None more poignant than his very last letter written six days before he died. These letters can be downloaded and read at Memorial University’s Digital Archives Initiative.

Lester was buried in the Oxford Road Cemetery, north east of the town of Ieper (Ypres) Belgium.

March 4, 1918

Dear Mother,

I forgot to mention about the dream I had the night before I got your letter telling me about your dream. I may say that I dreamt that I too was home and was in my khaki but it was all dirty and I wanted to put on my civilian clothes. So you went and got my brown clothes for me to put on, and when I got it it was all dusty and you told me not to let Wilhelmina know it as she would be angry as she had charge of the clothes. I thought that I was upstairs and as I looked downstairs, behold I saw people and they were all dressed up and they were spreading the tables with so much nice stuff, and flowers, and everything you could think of, and I said to myself surely gracious this is not for me, there must be a wedding going on but at the time you came along and you said this is all for you my son, and I was so glad that I awoke. And that very same day I had a letter from you telling me about your dream. Is it not strange that we should dream such dreams.

Good night dear Mother, Sweet Dreams!

Your Loving Son,

Lester