Thousands attend Peace Parade in St. John’s 100 years ago today

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Exactly one hundred years ago today thousands of St. John’s citizens turned out to celebrate the end of the most horrific war that they had ever known.  

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On August 5, 1919, during the second day of Peace Celebrations for the end of the war held in St. John’s and other communities culminated in a great display of the victorious allies by floats carrying ex-servicemen and sailors, nurses, and war trophies. Hundreds of flags and bunting flew from houses and businesses along the parade route. It was followed later that night with fireworks.

 

The parade was chaired by Lt. COl Walter F Rendell, Royal Newfoundland Regiment and supported by hundreds of local citizens. 

 

 

 

Evening Telegram August 6, 1919

Photos Courtesy of The Rooms Provincial Archives Division, St. John’s, NL.

Memorial Service at the Pleasantville Cairn, Regimental Birthday Weekend

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The Royal Newfoundland Regiment celebrated its 224 birthday this weekend with a memorial service at the Pleasantville cairn dedicated to fallen Newfoundlanders during the First and Second World Wars. In attendance were dignitaries representing the Republic of India, Republic of Turkey, Australia, Canada and the Royal Canadian Legion.

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2019 Royal Newfoundland Regiment Memorial High School Hockey Tournament

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Once again this year the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum will be present as 16 hockey teams from all over Newfoundland battle it out to take home the Beaumont-Hamel Centennial Cup. The tournament runs from April 1 – 7 at the Paradise Double Ice Complex.   Take a look at these players with connections to the famous Royal Newfoundland Regiment. 

 

Museum Receives Top Award

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The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum has been presented with the annual Award of Merit for 2018 by the Museum Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (MANL) at their annual conference and AGM held this weekend in St. John’s. The Award was presented by Hon. Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation on behalf of MANL.

The Award of Merit recognizes significant contributions to the practice of museum and heritage work in Newfoundland and Labrador. It is awarded to an organization, agency, or individual for an outstanding, innovative or creative achievement in the museum, gallery or heritage field, or in any area related to the preservation and development of the provinces cultural heritage, including research, collection, documentation, exhibition, public programming and management. (manl.nf.ca)

This could not have been possible without the fantastic and talented committee who are dedicated to preserve, interpret, and promote the 223 year history of The Royal Newfoundland Regiment. We are grateful for the financial support of our patrons, especially Susan Patten of the Harvey Family Foundation whose funding has been key to our success. Elinor Gill-Ratcliffe also has supported us generously.

We will continue to work hard and lead the way, that we hope, will make every member, former member, and the public of Newfoundland and Labrador proud of “OURS!” — The Royal Newfoundland Regiment!

 

Hon. Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister  of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation on behalf of MANL to Chair of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Committee, Frank Gogos

L to R: Chair RNFLDR Museum Frank Gogos, Hon. Christopher Mitchelmore, committee members Chris Butt and LCol (ret’d) John MacDonald

Passing of WWII and Korean Hero Honorary Lieutenant – Colonel Richard Alexander

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The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Regimental Advisory Council remember the outstanding service of Richard Alexander to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

 

Honorary Lieutenant – Colonel  Richard Alexander

  2nd Battalion The Royal Newfoundland Regiment

 

                Lieutenant Colonel Alexander was born on 25 August 1925. He enlisted in the Newfoundland Militia in the fall of 1941 as a Private at the age of 16.  On 12 December 1942, while posted to St John’s he was involved in rescuing several people from a major fire at the Knights of Columbus Hostel which killed 99 people.  This fire was widely believed to be an act of sabotage.

                In January 1943 he shipped overseas to England as a replacement for the 166 Artillery Regiment (Newfoundland). While there he volunteered for service with the British Commandos, passed commando training and was posted to 3rd Commando. Due to his French language skills he was later recruited by the Royal Navy Commandos and subsequently conducted 13 covert missions into occupied France. On his last mission he was seriously wounded, successfully evaded capture with the help of the French Resistance, and was the sole survivor of that operation.

                In the spring of 1944 after a long convalescence, he joined the 166 Artillery Regiment in Italy where he served as the COs driver and dispatch rider until the end of the war. He was married in England in September 1945 and returned home to Newfoundland upon release in March 1946.

                Upon the outbreak of the Korean War, he re-enrolled in the Canadian Forces and joined 2nd Battalion PPCLI as a Sergeant serving a tour in Korea in 1952.  In 1953 he transferred to the Black Watch and served a second tour in Korea as part of a UN Peacekeeping operation. Upon return home he served as a recruiter in Newfoundland for three years and took his release from the Regular Force in 1956.

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                In 1960 he re-enrolled in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in Corner Brook. In 1972 he took his commission and he was the catalyst in the establishment of C Company 2RNfldR in Stephenville.  He was appointed the first OC of this company and in May of 1975 he recruited 99 personnel in just two days, a small indication of his credibility and skill as a leader.  He also made a major contribution to the establishment of cadet corps in the communities of Port au Port, Cape St George, and Lourdes.  In 1978 he retired from 2RNfldR.

                In 2003 he was appointed Honorary Colonel of 2nd Battalion RNfldR; an appointment which he will relinquish on 14 May 2011. In this capacity he gives freely of his time and financial resources to promote the Regiment and the CF all across Newfoundland and inspire the next generation of warriors.

                Lieutenant Colonel Alexander is married to Dolly (deceased) and they raised a family of eleven children.   Throughout his military career he was an accomplished athlete, boxer, and holds a fourth degree black belt in karate.  He was also a respected businessman owning a successful construction company in the Stephenville area for several years. 

Visitation:  Wednesday 19 Sept from 2-4 and 7-9 pm

Service: Thursday 20 Sept at 1100 am at Our Lady of Mercy Church, Port au Port west.

 

Passing of Commander Kenneth H. Forbes-Robertson

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The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum wishes to extend its condolences to the family of the late Commander Kenneth H. Forbes-Robertson, Royal Navy (retired), who recently passed away at his home in the UK.

Ken is the son of Colonel James Forbes-Robertson VC, DSO & Bar, MC, DL who served with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from June 1916 to August 1917 first as 2 i/c and later as CO.

As 2 i/c of 1st Battalion James earned the Military Cross for his service on the Somme in 1916 and as CO was awarded the DSO for his leadership in April 1917 of the famous “Ten Men Who Saved Monchy”, of which he was one, an action that brought lasting fame to the Regiment for its prowess as a fighting unit.

It was as CO of 1/The Border Regiment that in April 1918 James won the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest and most prestigious British honour for gallantry, an award celebrated at the time by the Newfoundlanders as earned by one of their own.   Colonel James Forbes-Robertson VC, DSO & Bar, MC, DL Biography (External Link)

Unveiling a Memorial Stone to Col. James Forbes-Robertson (External Link)

Having had a distinguished 30 year career as a professional soldier of wide experience, James told his son Ken the Newfoundlanders were the best troops he ever commanded, not faint praise from a most gallant officer who knew well the measure of fighting men. 

The Regiment, RAC and Museum were fortunate to have Ken come to Newfoundland to re-establish the connection between his family and the Regiment during the visit to the province by HRH Princess Anne, Colonel-in-Chief, in 2010, when he impressed everyone he met as a true gentleman.