105th anniversary of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel
More than 24,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders became casualties in the Battle of the Somme, fought over four-and-a-half months in the summer and fall of 1916.
Remembering the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel
The bloodiest day of this bitter First World War offensive was 1 July 1916, when roughly 800 members of the Newfoundland Regiment attacked the German lines at Beaumont-Hamel, in France. More than 700 of them would be killed, wounded or go missing in the fighting.
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Faces of Freedom
Soldiers from Newfoundland suffered massive losses, on a day that is now remembered across an entire province.
Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial
The Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial honours all Newfoundlanders who served during the First World War and those lost with no known grave. It is located at the site of the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.
Newfoundland Book of Remembrance
The Newfoundland Book of Remembrance commemorates the Newfoundlanders who gave their lives in the defence of freedom during both the First and Second World Wars, including those who fought at the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel.
First World War Book of Remembrance
The First World War Book of Remembrance contains the names of more than 66,000 Canadians who died during the First World War, including those who fought in the Battle of the Somme.
Canadian National Vimy Memorial
The Canadian National Vimy Memorial honours all Canadians who served during the First World War.
Battle of the Somme Timeline
1 July 1916
15 September 1916
Canadians attack in the Battle of Courcelette
12 October 1916
Newfoundland Regiment helps capture German positions near Gueudecourt
11 November 1916
4th Canadian Division Captures Regina Trench
18 November 1916
Canadians capture Desire Trench
Official image
The First World War’s Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916.
One of the bloodiest struggles of the entire conflict, the Allies and Germans would fight in northern France throughout that summer and into the fall.
More than 800 Newfoundland soldiers went on the attack near the village of Beaumont-Hamel on the battle’s opening day. They fought bravely but would suffer terrible casualties there. The statue of a caribou – the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment – which stands on the site of this battle today appears in the background of this signature image. It is a powerful tribute to all the Newfoundlanders who served and died in the First World War.
The Canadian Corps went into action on the Somme in September. They helped achieve an impressive victory at Courcelette and took part in several additional costly attacks on the German lines before the battle finally came to an end on 18 November 1916. At the bottom of the signature image are charging Canadian soldiers photographed while they were training to fight on the Somme. Given the danger present in the trenches of the First World War and the difficulty in taking photos, many of the photos that exist today were created outside of combat conditions.
We remember all those who fought for peace and freedom on the Western Front 105 years ago.
More information
The Battle of the Somme
Canadians face months of hard fighting at the Somme in the late summer and fall of 1916.
Commemorative Partnership Program
The Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP) provides funding to organizations undertaking remembrance initiatives.
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