Newfoundlanders' defence of Monchy

[ejcmartin]

If one remembers a battle involving the Newfoundlanders it is usually Beaumont Hamel, a tragic tale.

This is one of those moments of heroism that I am sure happened on numerous occasion but are all too often forgotten.

On April 14, 1917 the Newfoundland Regiment (at the time not yet "Royal") took part in the capture of Monchy. When the subsequent counter-attack began it was realized that not a single Newfoundlander was left to defend. Eight Newfoundlanders, their CO from HQ, and lost straggler from the Essex Regiment proceeded for four hours to hold off numerous attempts to retake Monchy.

A gallant tale indeed.

For more info:

http://198.103.134.2/remembers/sub.cfm?sou...s/ww1mem/monchy

[Norrette]

On April 14, 1917 the Newfoundland Regiment (at the time not yet "Royal") took part in the capture of Monchy. When the subsequent counter-attack began it was realized that not a single Newfoundlander was left to defend. Eight Newfoundlanders, their CO from HQ, and lost straggler from the Essex Regiment proceeded for four hours to hold off numerous attempts to retake Monchy.

Monchy last weekend :-

[Chris Martin]

Eight Newfoundlanders, their CO from HQ, and lost straggler from the Essex Regiment proceeded for four hours to hold off numerous attempts to retake Monchy.

A gallant tale indeed.

For more info:

http://198.103.134.2/remembers/sub.cfm?sou...s/ww1mem/monchy

It was a gallant tale but one must keep in mind that the Newfoundland regiment sufferd casualties aproaching those of Beaumont Hamel. The Regiment suffered 7 officers and 159 other ranks killed, 7 officers and 134 other ranks wounded, with a further 153 men captured by the enemy.

I share you oppinoin that it is quite interesting that the Regiment's involvement in the war revolves around Beaumont Hamel. A few historians have looked at this in recent years, Robert Harding in particular and to some extent David Facey-Crowther, and have come to the conclusion that Beaumont Hammel stands out as singularly important because it had to be that way. The failure of 1 July 1916 and their high casualty rate had to be portrayed a s victory in order to keep support high. As a result the words of praise and reverance for the Regiments advance that day were internalized and became a major part of the Island's cultural identity.

[Chris Martin]

In addition to my previous reply and to get past casualty rates, the Regiment's actions at Monchy, like their actions at Beaumont Hamel and other major engagments, speak to the high level of profesionalism, regimental cohesion, and bloody mindedness that developed in the regiment throughout the course of the war. Actions such as the one fought at monchy are even more impressive given the fact that prior to the formation of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment in 1914, the island had no form of professional military force. There was the Naval Reserve, but the last army unit to exist in Newfoundland prior to 1914 were the British regiments that were widthdrawn in the 1870's or 1880's.