A replica of the Danger Tree will be unveiled at the Beaumont Hamel Newfoundland memorial in France today.
The original Danger Tree was what members of the Newfoundland Regiment called the landmark.
It was used to tell direction and it also served as a warning about exposure to enemy fire.
(photo: The Rooms Provincial Archives Division (A 99-88) )
During the devastating Battle of Beaumont Hamel on July 1st, 1916 many young Newfoundlanders were killed near that tree.
While that tree no longer stands, MUN’s Department of Technical Services has created a replica of it – using a photo taken in the 1920s as their reference point.
The monument has been installed at the memorial in France and today, on the eve of the 110th anniversary of the battle of Beaumont Hamel, it will officially be unveiled.
Memorial University is hosting a series of events today on its St. John’s campus to mark the occasion. Word War I artifacts will be on display in the QEII library beginning at noon. Then, at 2 p.m. in the Bruneau Centre they will play the livestream of the ceremony in France.
