1. Chapter 6 The First World War 1914- 1918
Social Studies 8-1

2. Key Terms:
Conscription: also referred to as a draft, is a compulsory enrolment for service in a country's armed forces.
No Man’s Land: The space between the two front lines
Patriotism: Many enlisted out of a deep sense of pride and loyalty to Great Britain and were willing to make the sacrifice for the “Mother Country”.

3. Key Terms:
Propaganda: information used to promote a political cause or point of view; was employed by both sides during
World War I.
Suffrage: means the right to vote
Example: Women’s right to vote in a political election

4. War Breaks Out
November 11th represents remembrance of the armistice (when the parties to a war agree to stop fighting) that ended WWI
WWI began in 1914 between:
Britain, France and Russia vs
Germany and Austria-Hungary
When Britain went to war, NL did as well because:
It was a dominion of the British Empire
People thought if Britain was defeated, it might threaten their security and democratic government

5. Enlistment and Recruitment
Young men from all classes eagerly signed up to serve, some walking long distances
Some reasons for signing up included:
Sense of adventure
Source of employment
Patriotism and loyalty to one’s country
Propaganda and Patriotism both served a role in getting men to enlist
Propaganda – information used to promote a political cause or point of view
Patriotism – pride and loyalty felt for one’s country

6. Those Who Served
Memorial University was named in honour of those who died in the war
The names and dates of service of those who died are written in a Book of Remembrance (original in Ottawa, copies at MUN, Confederation and Mile One Stadium)
The Royal Newfoundland Regiment was created in 1914 and was made up of 6,240 men ages
The first 500 men in the Regiment were known as the Blue Puttees because of their navy puttees (A Puttee is a strip of cloth worn around the leg for protection and support )
Blue Puttees

7. Branches of Service
Newfoundlanders also served in many other ways by performing essential war duties
Military (those who fought):
Royal Naval Reserve
Newfoundland Regiment
Canadian and other Forces
Civilian (didn’t fight):
Forestry Corps
Volunteer Aid Detachment (VAD)
Merchant Marine

8. Member of the Forestry Corps
VAD Workers

9. The Battle of Beaumont Hamel pg. 131
On July 1, 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment fought in the Battle of the Somme at Beaumont Hamel in France.
This was one of the most significant battles for Newfoundlanders in World War One.

10. Beaumont Hamel- What Happened?
The 801 members of the Newfoundland Regiment were ordered to advance out of their trenches and cross open ground called No Man’s Land (the area of land between the two front lines) towards the enemy position.

11. What Happened?
As they advanced, the soldiers were killed or injured by heavy machine gun fire, barbed wire, and artillery fire.
The battle lasted only 30 minutes, and in that time, 710 soldiers were dead, wounded or missing.

12. Barbed wire at Beaumont Hamel
Men ready for battle, 1916.
Barbed wire at Beaumont Hamel

13. Beaumont Hamel An enemy shell bursting at Beaumont Hamel, 1916
Newfoundland soldiers in St. John’s Road support trench, July 1, 1916.

14. Beaumont Hamel Today
Y Ravine Cemetary
The Danger Tree

15. “A Display of Incredible Courage”
The soldiers who fought in this battle were hailed as heroes because they kept going even as their friends and fellow soldiers died.
Now, July 1 is considered Memorial Day.
Finding the Fallen
Great Canadian Tour

16. People in History Owen Steele
Was the 326th member of the First Five Hundred (the Blue Puttees) and eventually made a lieutenant
He died when a German shell exploded near him but his letters home and diary remain a valuable record of the Newfoundland Regiment’s activities up to Beaumont Hamel

17. People in History John Shiwack Was from Rigolet, Labrador
He spent his early life hunting and trapping; these skills were invaluable at war time
He served as scout, observer and sniper with the Newfoundland Regiment and was known as “the best sniper in the British Army”

18. People in History 1. John Bernard Croke
The Victoria Cross is Britain’s highest award for valour
Two Newfoundlanders received this during WWI:
1. John Bernard Croke
Although wounded, he rushed forward into an enemy stronghold, captured 3 machine guns and a garrison, and was fatally wounded

19. People in History 2. Tommy Ricketts
After running out of ammunition when trying to clear out a German battery, Ricketts doubled back under heavy machine gun fire to get more ammunition and fought off the enemy
He was the youngest person to receive the Victoria Cross

20. The Home Front pg. 136 Women’s Patriotic Association
assisted troops and offered support of family members.
made bandages, knitted scarves, socks and hats, raised funds, visited grieving families and cared for injured veterans.

21. Women’s Patriotic Association
St. John’s Ambulance Division Making supplies, 1915

22. The Home Front Newfoundland Patriotic Organization
Was run by volunteers, NOT the government even though it was funded by the public
Seen as failure of government to fulfill duties by some
Responsible for recruiting members for service.
Supplied equipment and other necessary items.

23. People involved in WWI Owen Steele (1887-1916)
Born in St. Johns, NL. Enlisted in the NL Regiment, he was the 326th member of the first five hundred. Known as the famous “Blue Puttees”.
Within the first week he was promoted to corporal and soon after to be a sergeant.
On October 15,1915 he was made Lieutenant. He died from injuries from a German shell which exploded near him.

24. John Shiwak (1889 – 1917)
A Labradorian, came to be known as the “best sniper in the British Army.”
His hunting and shooting skills were very important during wartime.
He caught the attention of his superior officers and achieved the position of lance corporal. He also served as a scout, observer and sniper with the NL Regiment.
Shiwak was killed in France on Nov. 21, 1917

25. John Bernard Croke (1892 – 1918) Born in Green Bay, NL in 1892.
He joined the Canadian Corps and served overseas in the war.
Croke recieved the first Victoria Cross awarded to a Newfoundlander for his bravery during the Battle of Amiens.
He was badly injured by gunshot wounds but still persisted receiving more gunfire while trying to capture three machine guns and died from his wounds

26. Tommy Ricketts (1901 – 1967)
At the young age of only 15 he lied about his age to enlist in the Newfoundland Regiment in Tommy was the youngest to receive the Victorian Cross for great Bravery.
Ricketts ran out of ammo while attempting to clear out a German battery. Disregarding his own safety he doubled back under heavy gunfire, and secured ammunition. Using the Lewis gun he forced the enemy to retreat. His platoon captured for field guns and four machine guns along with eight prisoners of war

27. Conscription pg. 137
After Beaumont Hamel, voluntary enlistment declined.
To keep a strong army, the Newfoundland Regiment needed at least 1000 men.
To build up the numbers of men, the government started conscription which is forced military service during war time in May 1918.

28. For or Against Conscription?? Chart on pg. 138
What do you think of conscription?
Newfoundland military personnel recruiting at Harbour Grace, 1917.

29. Views For Conscription:
Newfoundland’s Pride was at stake. NL regiment would be undermanned and quite likely absorbed into the Canadian army.
The British Empire was threatened and NL should support Britain. (If NL was threatened we would want Britain to go to war for us)
Britain had passed a conscription law in and Canada also did in NL should follow suit.

30. Views Against Conscription:
The Government had no right to force men to fight. Men should choose to endanger or sacrifice their lives willingly.
The war was a European war and far away from NL shores. Newfoundlanders should not be forced to fight a European war.
St. John’s Merchants were profiting from the war. Why should the working class be forced to fight and risk their lives while others grew rich off of the war?

31. Impact of War in Newfoundland
Loss of many young men (chart on pg. 140) for a total of 1753 men. It was rare that a family would not lose a relative.
Helped to show that Newfoundland and Labrador was equal to other self governing members of the British Empire.
Suffered financially. Newfoundland had to borrow a lot of money ($13 million) to fund the war, and had to pay it back, which would cause problems much later. NLs total war cost was $35 million
A positive impact of NLs involvement was the invention of the gas mask by a NL doctor, Cluny McPherson. It saved thousands of lives

32. Womans Suffrage Movement
The groundwork for women’s suffrage, or the right to vote, had already been laid in the late 1800’s with the organization of women’s groups like the NL branch of Women’s Patriotic Association and Volunteer Aid Detachment.
With growing self confidence and a willingness to fight for what they believed in, women’s associations and suffragettes (those who advocated for the right to vote) began an energetic campaign for the right to vote.

33. Womans Suffrage Movement
They had to overcome the negative attitudes of men in government and the church
In 1921, women finally won the right to vote and run for office in St. Johns municipal elections. The ownership of property was necessary to qualify to vote which prevented many women from running
In 1925, under Prime Minister, Walter Monroe, passed a law whereby all women 25 years of age and older could vote in NL elections.

34. Influenza Epidemic
Towards the end of the war an outbreak of severe influenza occurred in NL. Often referred to as the Spanish Flu. It killed million worldwide
This flu came to NL with a ship of soldiers returning from the war in Many public places were closed and a special hospital was put in place for flu patients. This epidemic claimed the lives of 232 people who all died.

35. Influenza Epidemic
The epidemic hit Labrador with devastating effect. So deadly that two thirds of the Hebron (Moravian mission station) population were dead within nine days. In Okak, only 59 of 266 people survived. More than one third of all Labradorian Inuit were killed by the Spanish Flu.