Allan Hawco@allanhawco Today is Canada
Day for most but July 1st is a day of Remembrance at home. Dates
back to the Dominion of Newfoundland days. #trailofthecaribou
As Allan Hawco fans know, he
and fellow Newfoundlander comedian Mark Critch have been making a documentary
called the ‘Trail of the Caribou’ following in the footsteps of the Royal
Newfoundland Regiment and their campaigns throughout Europe during World War 1.
Next year, 2016 will the 100 th anniversary of those campaigns (I circulated an
article from CBC Canada about the making of the documentary and interviews with
Allan Hawco and Mark Critch on my Google + page). Recently they were joined by
their friend and fellow Newfoundlander Alan Doyle for part of the tour.
Allan, Mark and Alan have
been recording their amazing journey for fans by generously sharing their
thoughts, photos and selfies of significant events on social media. These
events have inspired me to find out more about the role of Newfoundlanders and
the bravery and sacrifices of their young men during the various campaigns. While
I don’t think this blog is an appropriate place to discuss these events, I just
wanted to briefly mention their importance in relationship to the events posted
on social media and the making of this documentary.
I began with an excellent
book I bought when I was in Newfoundland called “A Short History of
Newfoundland and Labrador” compiled by The Newfoundland Historical Society. In a
chapter called ‘The Twentieth Century’ the authors provide a brief overview of
the significance of the events and in particular the campaign at Beaumont Hamel
for Newfoundlanders. The Newfoundland Regiment was the only North American
regiment to fight along aside the British and ANZACS (Australian and New
Zealand Army Corps) at Gallipoli in 1915.
“The Newfoundland Regiment fought with distinction at
Gallipoli before being transferred to France. Its sacrifice in the Battle of
the Somme stood out in particular. Near
the village of Beaumont Hamel, on 1 July 1916 , 753 men marched into the German
machine gun fire, leaving only sixty-eight able to answer roll call the next
day. About one-third of the Regiment had been held in reserve in Great Britain,
and, once reinforced with more recruits, it went on to fight in several more
significant battles including Monchy-le-Preaux, Ypres and Cambri. In
recognition of its role in these later two battles, the Regiment was awarded
the title “Royal” the only regiment given this honor during the First World War.”
There are many other online
sites where those interested can find out information about these events. The
Rooms in St. John’s, Newfoundland have a wonderful online site containing
information and videos about Newfoundland’s roll in World War 1 and The Veterans Canada page has wonderful information about the role Newfoundland soldiers played at all the sites visited by this documentary team.
I have included a couple of comments and photos circulated on Twitter about the significance of some places and events and the filming of the documentary for future references. Those thoughts, photos and selfies, and the thoughts and photos of others can be found on the official social media accounts of Allan, Mark and Alan and by searching the associated hashtags. There is a wonderful collection of photos and selfies on their official Instagram accounts.
(NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT INTENDED)
Singing the Ode on Memorial Day in Beaumont Hamel…
Allan Hawco…(from the official accounts on Twitter and
Instagram)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
#lastpostandchorus #trailofthecaribou #beaumonthamel 1 July 2015 (posted on
Instagram a short video and circulated via Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco Wow.
I got to sing the Ode to Newfoundland with @markcritch @alanthomasdoyle at
#BeaumontHamel today. WHAT AN HONOUR 1 July 2015 (photo on Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
Preparing for the #beaumonthamel #trailofthecaribou Pass it on (four beautiful
photos on Instagram) 1 July 2015
Allan Hawco@allanhawco Today
is Canada Day for most but July 1st is a day of Remembrance at home.
Dates back to the Dominion of Newfoundland days. #trailofthecaribou 1 July 2015
Mark Critch…(from the official account on Twitter)
Mark Critch @markcritch
Beaumont Hamel #trailofthecaribou #BeaumontHamel 1 July 2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Mark Critch @markcritch NL
Regiment tie, Poppy and Forget Me Not. All ready to pay tribute at Beaumont
Hamel #trailorthecarbou 1 July 2015 (one photo from Twitter)
Alan Doyle...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
Been quite a July 1 for me as a Newfoundlander. Very grateful for it all. Would
love to say good night with a Happy Canada Day to all. 1 July 2015
Darin King@king_darin
Spectacular job by @alanthomasdoyle @allanhawco and @markcrtich on Ode to NL.
Tks for being here @LegionNLCA @GovNL 1 July 2015 (photo on Twitter) (retweeted
on Twitter by @allanhawco and @markcrtich)
Reply from Alan Doyle Thanks
to @allanhawco and @markcritch for the help. 1 July 2015
Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle
Honoured to be in Beaumont Hamel on this day. Singing the Ode at the Memorial
Day Service on the very site where so many gave so much. 1 July 2015
Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle Lest We Forget 1 July 2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Tommy Rickets memorial in Belgium…
Alan Doyle...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle At
the Tommy Rickets monument on the very farm in Rural Belgium where his bravery
would later earn the Victoria Cross. 30 June 2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Mark Critch…(from the official account on Twitter )
Mark Critch…(from the official account on Twitter )
Mark Critch@markcritch This
Belgium family put up a monument to Tommy Rickets in thanks to NL Regiment.
@alanthomasdoyle sings for them 30 June 2015 (three photos on Twitter)
At the Somme…
Alan Doyle...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Alan Doyle@alanthomasdoyle
Sunrise on the Somme. @allanhawco @markcritch 29 June 2015 (photo on Twitter)
(retweeted by Allan Hawco and Mark Critch on Twitter)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
Very Early Rise to shoot with @allanhawco and @markcritch on the Somme. 29 June
2015
Beaumont Hamel…
Alan Doyle...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
With allanhawco and markcritch at Beaumont Hamel. Singing the Ode here July 1st,
2015. 99 years (photo on Instagram)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
With two of Newfoundland’s Finest @allanhawco @markcritch telling a story that
has to be told from Beaumont Hamel. 29 June 2015 (photo on Twitter) (Retweeted
on Twitter by Allan Hawco and Mark Critch)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
The Gents @allanhawco and @markcritch at Beaumont Hamel. 29 June 2015 (photo on
Twitter)
Mark Critch...(from the official accounts on Twitter )
Mark Critch @markcritch In
the trenches of Beaumont Hamel with @alanthomasdoyle #trailofthecaribou 29 June
2015
Alan Doyle arrives in France…
Alan Doyle...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Alan Doyle @alanthomasdoyle
Early rise here in France. Off filming with @allanhawco and @markcritch
following the path of NL’s WW1 Soldiers. So grateful for this chance 28 June
2015
Monchy-le-Preaux
Allan Hawco...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
#Monchylepreaux #trailofthecaribou 28 June 2015 (four beautiful photos on
Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Mark Critch...(from the official accounts on Twitter)
Mark Critch @markcritch Monchy
le Preaux – 9 Newfoundland soldiers held off 300 Germans here
#trailofthecaribou 28 June 2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Kortrijk
Allan Hawco...(from the official accounts on Twitter and Instagram)
Allan Hawco@allanhawco #Kortrijk or as it was once
known as #courtrai. My first time at this one. Beautiful 30 June 2015 (Four
beautiful photos on Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Gueudecourt
Allan Hawco...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
#Gueudecourt 27 June 2015 (One photo on Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
#trailofthecaribou 27 June 2015 Gueudecourt Caribou Memorial in France.
Breathtaking. (four photos on Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Mark Critch...(from the official account on Twitter)
Mark Critch @markcritch
Gueudecort, France – memorial to the NL Regiment #trailofthecaribou 27 June
2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Turkey
Allan Hawco...(from the official accounts on Twitter
and Instagram)
Allan Hawco@allanhawco Good
bye Turkey, thank you for the beautiful hospitality. Such an enlightening
experience tracking the steps of our NFLD Regiment took in WW1 26 June 2015.
Allan Hawco@allanhawco What
all the fuss was about #Dananelles #trailofthecaribou 24 June 2015 (one photo
on Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco
Caribou Hill in Gallipoli, Turkey. The farthest the Allied Forces advance in
Turkey during WW1. Named after the Newfoundland Regiment. It was a brutal campaign.
24 June 2015 (one photo on Instagram circulated on Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco Good
times being had as well on this solum pilgrimage. #trailofthecaribou (one photo
on Instagram with Mark Critch and circulated on Twitter)
Allan Hawco @allanhawco Kangaroo
Beach – where the NFLD regiment saw it’s first action in WW1 1915
#trailofthecaribou 22 June 2015 (one photo on Instagram and circulated on
Twitter)
Mark Critch...(from the official account on Twitter)
Rod Etheridge @rodethridge
@allanhawco @markcritch at beach NLers evacuated when Allies left Gallipoli
Peninsula @CBCNL #trailofthecarbou 23 June 2015 (one photo retweeted by Mark
Critch on Twitter)
Rod Etheridge @rodethridge
@allanhawco @markcritch @CBNL #trailof thecaribou 23 June 2015 (one photo
retweeted by Mark Critch on Twitter)
Mark Critch @markcritch Mayo
Lind wrote home to Newfoundland from these fields #trailofthecarbou 23 June
2015 (one photo on Twitter)
Rod Etheridge @rodethridge
Caribou Hill in Gallipoli w/ @allanhawco @markcritch #trailof thecaribou @CBNL
23 June 2015 (one photo retweeted by Mark Critch on Twitter)
