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From: pmorris@kean.ucs.mun.ca
Newsgroups: sci.military
Subject: Re: Civil War technology
Message-ID: <1990Oct24.114437.3652@cbnews.att.com>
Date: 24 Oct 90 11:44:37 GMT
References: <1990Oct11.050851.29295@cbnews.att.com>
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Organization: Memorial University. St.John's Nfld, Canada
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From: pmorris@kean.ucs.mun.ca
[mod.note: Followups to soc.history.  - Bill ]
In article <1990Oct11.050851.29295@cbnews.att.com>, cognos!geovision!pt@dciem (P
> From: cognos!geovision!pt@dciem (Paul Tomblin)
>
> It was a great series, and had the personal touch too.  He takes you to a
> battle field in France where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment took appalling
> casualties in a single WWI battle (~90% if I remember correctly).  He remarks
> how all Newfoundlanders, himself included, remember that battle, even if the
> rest of the world doesn't.

Indeed we do remember the Battle of the Somme. Actually it is better
known in Newfoundland as the July Drive. It happened July 1, 1916). While over
 500 Newfoundlanders, known as "the first 500" or
better known as "The Blue Puttees" for their distinctly colored
leggings, went over the top that day, only about 60 answered roll call
the next. The larger campaign was the Battle of the Somme, but the
Newfoundlanders took it at Beaumont Hamel. A statue stands there today
commemorating their sacrifice.

Ironically, the Battle of the Somme coincides with Canada Day. In
Newfoundland this is marked rather schizophrenically by celebrations
of Canada's nationhood and by Remembrance Services (It was and is our
Nov. 11 before that day assumed its remembrance significance.)

The last of "The Blue Puttees" is still alive in Newfoundland. His
name is Abe Mullett and he's in his nineties.

Stig (in Newfoundland)