World War I

For Newfoundland, the Great War or World War One was an event that had a widespread impact. It was a global conflict that pitted Britain and her allies against Germany and her allies. With the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, Britain welcomed the support of its former colonies. The Dominion of Newfoundland answered the call and volunteers were forthcoming from all parts including Elliston.

Several Elliston men enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment (later Royal Newfoundland Regiment or RNR) for King and Country. Its best-known exploit was its participation in the disastrous Battle of the Somme on July 1st, 1916. Specifically, the Newfoundland force was to reinforce other British battalions once they breached the German positions at Beaumont Hamel. The engagement did not go as planned and these battalions failed to break the enemy lines. Their leaders believed these units had not suffered a complete failure, and through a series of misunderstandings, including the misinterpretation of a German flare for a British signal, the Newfoundland Regiment was ordered over the top. Before the Regiment could advance, they had to move over British ground and file through gaps in their own barbed wire that unfortunately provided excellent aiming points for German machine gunners. Of the 780 men who went forward only 68 were available for roll call the following day.

Others served in the Royal Naval Reserve (R. Naval R.), Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit (NOFU), American Army, Canadian Army and Merchant Navy.

The Discovery Shooting Club recreated a section of WWI era trench at their shooting range and it is certified to actually fire real firearms from it. The club also supported living history demonstrations with volunteer interpreters dressed in Royal Newfoundland Regiment uniforms under the heading of the Great War Living History Committee (2014-2018). They took part in the “After Beaumont Hamel - Signal Hill First World War Encampment” weekend that was held in August 2016 at Signal Hill in St. John’s with Parks Canada. The Discovery Shooting Club sponsored group officially ceased to operate in 2018.

Below is a list of Elliston men, or men with an Elliston connection, with some additional information on each.

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