The Great War Committee instituted a special commemoration program in 2016 to honour the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the contribution made by our region under the heading of a “Legacy of Remembrance.” It consisted of special interpretation day that was held on July 23rd, 2016, at Bonavista and Elliston (Discovery Shooting Club). Our replica trench was used to stage an “over the top” re-enactment with interpreters from our committee and the For King & Empire group. Click Here for a video of that event.
A major portion of our tribute concerned a time capsule buried near the cenotaph in Bonavista. To the best of our knowledge this is the only time capsule in our area. It was dedicated on July 1st, 2016 (100th anniversary of Beaumont Hamel). It contains various objects related to the war including some authentic shrapnel recovered from that battlefield. Amongst the items included are school children's letters about the war and even photographs from the area to also provide a snapshot of 2016. This “Legacy of Remembrance” will provide a look back to how people viewed this milestone in our history. It will be opened after 25 years have passed on July 1st, 2041.
Pieces of shrapnel recovered from Beaumont Hamel have also been buried during Memorial Services in 2016 at Elliston and Trinity Bay North next to cenotaphs in order to bring a piece of that battlefield closer to home.
