Newfoundland and Labrador remembered their own who have been lost to war at memorials across the province this morning.
A warm, grey day greeted the hundreds who descended on the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, the solemn ceremonies forever juxtaposed with Canada Day celebrations in the afternoon.
This year’s remembrance of Beaumont Hamel and other conflicts seemed to touch many deeper, of course, with the Tomb of an Unknown Solider now front and centre, and most eyes affixed to it.
All hands on parade to the National War Memorial for Memorial Day ceremonies. pic.twitter.com/mDy7u7LxAW
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) July 1, 2025
The Regiment suffered the greatest losses during the First World War, but Newfoundlanders served in many other capacities including the Newfoundland Royal Naval Reserve , the Newfoudland Foresty Corps, the Royal Flying Corps, Mercantile Marine, Professional Nurses, as well as medical support staff with the voluntary aid detachment.
Meanwhile, many more served on the homefornt through the Patriotic Association of Newfoundland.
Their Honours, Lt.-Gov. Joan Marie Aylward and Carl Thompson arrive at the War Memorial and pay their respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. pic.twitter.com/owMN5qvjPb
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) July 1, 2025
Lt.-Gov. Joan Marie Aylward, and Minister Bernie Davis on behalf of the provincial government, laid wreaths in St. John’s while Premier John Hogan took part in ceremonies in Corner Brook and Pasadena on the west coast.
In St. John’s longtime master of ceremonies Perry Grandy, with the Provincial Command of The Royal Canadian Legion, put the moment into perspective on this, the 109th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.
(VOCM News)
“A generation of future fathers, business operators, fishers, workers and academics have been lost to war,” he said. “We will never know what may have been, had this tragic event in our history never happened.
“Lest we forget.”
(VOCM News)
