19 students from across the province were chosen to participate in a European tour retracing the steps of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in First World War. These young historians were chosen to participate in the Ambassador Award Program through the Historic Sites Association’s regional Heritage Fairs for their outstanding projects on a World War 1 topic.
Brady Gibbons
Grade 8, Holy Trinity High School
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“The Battle of Cambri and Private Ernest Fisher”
My project focused on the importance of the Battle of Cambri and the involvement of tanks in the battle. It also detailed the life of my Great-Great Uncle, Private Ernest Fisher.
Emily Woodfine
Grade 8, Beaconsfield Junior High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“Beaumont Hamel July 1, 1916 (Ernest Chafe)”
My project explored the Battle of Beaumont Hamel and the events leading up to, during and after the battle. Also tells the story of soldier Ernest L. Chafe who died in the battle.
Jordan Brake
Grade 10, Waterford Valley High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“NL at War”
My project explored people who served in the First World War from my parents’ home towns of Marystown and Little Bay. Through researching this project I learned about several relatives who served in the war.
Michael Moss
Grade 8, Beaconsfield Junior High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
"My Great Grandfather’s Story: Cambrai 1917"
My Heritage Fair project was a timeline of my Great-Grandfather’s time in the First World War, his injuries, and his life afterwards. Also Includes daily details from the battle field documented in his photo albums.
Nicholas Edwards
Grade 8, Beaconsfield Junior High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“WWI – My Two Great Grandfathers – Their Stories”
My project was an overview of my two Great-Grandfathers and their service in WWI and in the navy. It followed their lives after the war and explored how their lives were connected.
Jasmine Neal
Grade 8, Smallwood Academy
Central Regional Heritage Fair
“WW1 Private Benjamin Young No. 2106”
My project is based on Private Benjamin Young, a WW1 soldier that fought with the NFLD regiment. I also included information on select battles of WW1.
Elliot Dicks
Grade 8, Xavier Junior High
Western Regional Heritage Fair
“The Newfoundland Regiment at Beaumont Hamel”
My project explored the Newfoundland Regiment and the Battle of Beaumont Hamel. It covered topics such as: The First Five Hundred, the Battle of the Somme, the Danger Tree, and my family’s connection to Beaumont Hamel
Samantha Trask
Grade 8, St. Michael’s Elementary
Western Regional Heritage Fair
“Thomas Ricketts, Newfoundland War Hero”
My project is about a boy soldier who was Newfoundland’s War Hero. Thomas Ricketts was awarded the Croix de Guerre and was the youngest recipient to ever receive the Victoria Cross for a combat role, the highest award in the United Kingdom.
Rebecca Penney
Grade 9, Clarenville Middle School
Vista Regional Heritage Fair
“The Voluntary Aid Detachment in WWI”
My project was about the voluntary aid detachment and their importance and relevance in World War One. I chose the topic due to my personal interest in nursing, and explored their treatment of patients during the war.
Jacob Farrell
Grade 8, Pearce Junior High
Burin Regional Heritage Fair
“#921 Stephen Norris”
My project was about Lieutenant Stephen Norris - #921, of Three Arm’s Island in Northern Notre Dame Bay. I explored Norris’ amazing story of family, service, and sacrifice and helped keep history alive.
Darcy Scott
Grade 8, Frank Roberts Junior High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“Two Brothers, One War”
My project was about two of my relatives, Richard and Peter Power, who were two brothers from Cupids. Both fought in World War I and were highly decorated soldiers.
Hannah Blackmore
Grade 8, Holy Trinity High School
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“Augustine Hearn”
My project was about my Great-Great Uncle Augustine Hearn Regimental #1024. It followed his WWI journey from enlistment to his death on April 14, 1917 at Monchy LePreux.
Mackenzie Gordon
Grade 11, St. Kevin’s High School
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“Thomas Nangle”
My project presented Thomas Nangle’s life work and his amazing contribution to securing memorials dedicated to the Newfoundland Regiment.
Momin Anwar
Grade 8, MacDonald Drive Junior High
Avalon Regional Heritage Fair
“Beaumont Hamel”
My project focused on Newfoundand’s role in the First World War. It featured an in depth study of Beaumont Hamel and how it shaped our lives. Included a picture storyline showing significant events of the WWI.
Brooklyn Bixby
Grade 7, Smallwood Academy
Central Regional Heritage Fair
“My Blue Puttee: Samson Bixby #241”
In researching for my Heritage Fair project, I discovered Samson Bixby, who was my fourth cousin from Indian Islands. Turns out he enlisted in World War One and was a member of the Blue Puttees.
Mikayla Eastman
Grade 10, Smallwood Academy
Central Regional Heritage Fair
“The Ayre Family”
My project focused on the Ayre family and their tremendous sacrifice during the First World War, with four members losing their lives at Beaumont Hamel.
Kaitlyn Pennell
Grade 9, St. Peter’s Academy
Western Regional Heritage Fair
"The Story of Captain Reuben T. Robinson"
My heritage fair project was on my Great-Great-Great Uncle Captain Reuben T. Robinson. He fought and was wounded in World War One, and was a captain in the merchant marines in World War Two.
Keisha Rouzes
Grade 10, École Sainte-Anne
Conseil Scolaire Francophone
“Eugéne Cornect at la Bataille de Beaumont-Hamel”
The project gave a detailed account of Mr. Cornect’s life and military accomplishments, with the focus on his being a member of the First Five Hundred of the Newfoundland Regiment and having been a survivor of Beaumont-Hamel.
Haley Peddle
Grade 7, Southwest Arm Academy
Vista Regional Heritage Fair
“Remembering WW1 Soldiers of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from Southwest Arm Area”
My project highlighted individuals from the Southwest Arm Area who fought and served in WW1.