Newfoundland’s Unknown Soldier - July 1st here is not like the rest of Canada 

Here is a short video where I explain what happened on July 1, 1916: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-H7X6tgtnx3c.html

We used to go up to Signal Hill for the sunrise ceremonies at the crack of dawn as teenagers. Not necessarily to celebrate, more just to be deliquents. I was one of hundreds of teenagers that hung out at the War Memorial in the 80s and 90s. Sometimes the veterans would get really riled up and i never understood that until i got older. Now i get it....

Thank you for another lovely and informative video, Mark. Your parents are such lovely people. It's clear that they feel very fortunate indeed to have been able to make the Trail of The Caribou Tour. It was, no doubt, a very emotional journey to show their respect. Parades on Memorial Day (July 1) and on Remembrance Day, formerly known as Armistice Day (November 11) were very important to my late father, and we attended both each year as a family. My dad served as a Merchant Mariner in the 2nd World War, and he lost a brother who had left Newfoundland to serve in the British Navy at the start of that War. His brother's ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Wales. His body was never recovered. His name is engraved on a memorial plaque in England. Dad's eyes welled with tears whenever he spoke of his brother John, and of how hard his mother cried upon receiving the terrible news, and again when a posthumous medal was sent to her. I can only imagine her anxiety over her other 4 sons who were all enlisted, until they returned safely home to her. So, yes I attended the parades and services of honour and remembrance each year with my father, and I continue to do so as a show of respect and gratitude to all those who served and never came home; to all those who came home wounded in body, mind and spirit; to those who supported them from home and anxiously awaited their return, many of whom never learned what had become of their "unknown soldiers", who were simply listed as "missing in action", as their bodies were never found/identified; and to those who mourn the loss of their loved ones. I think these days are the ones when I miss my own Dad the most, and I am so grateful that he came home safely! One thing that wasn't mentioned in your video that I think some viewers might find interesting is that Newfoundland's War Memorial, on Water Street in St. John's actually holds the distinction of being the "National War Memorial of Newfoundland". It was given the designation when it was originally dedicated on the first service there on July 1, 1924. This year marks its 100th Anniversary. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment had petitioned the Commonwealth War Graves Commission several times for permission to establish a "Tomb of The Unknown Soldier" at the National War Memorial and were finally granted permission this year. The Commission had argued that the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier located at Canada's National War Memorial would include the unknown soldiers of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Royal Newfoundland Regiment argued that, at the time of World War 1 and World War 2, soldiers who served in our Regiment and whose graves were not known were not Canadian, and that, as the Dominion of Newfoundland at that time, our country held equal status with all the other Dominions of the Commonwealth, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, all of which have their own Tomb of The Unknown Soldier. The War Graves Commission relented, and this is the last time such a distinction will be granted. Just a fact for those who may have an interest in military history. Again, thank you for this video, and for sharing your wonderful parents with your subscribers. I apologize for the length of my comment, but I hope someone finds some value in it.

Thank you so much Mark for this wonderful video, you parents are true proud Newfoundlanders. Having grown up in St John's this means a lot to me, I have attended many July 1st Parades there first as an Army Cadet and as a Member of the Royal Canadian Navy. Wish i could be there this weekend but will visit it in September. Thank you

Thanks for sharing Mark! Your parents did a great job explained the story of young Newfoundlanders at Beaumont Hamel. We need to keep the story alive. We all should be very proud of the return of the Unknown Soldier to his home land.

Nicely done Mark.

You look so much like your dad! Happy Post-National Country Day 🇨🇦

Hey Mark, nice chat with your mom and dad!. The one thing that disturbs me is the fact that with today's technology in DNA testing, they have not yet identified this individual. Keep the video's coming!!!

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