RCN Remembers First Newfoundland Casualties of the Great War

News Release

January 13, 2014

ST. JOHN’S, NL – A solemn ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the loss of three Royal Navy ships and fifty-seven Royal Naval Reservists from Newfoundland during the First World War was held today at Bowring Park in St. John’s. In attendance was the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice, who laid a wreath at the Caribou Memorial.

Quick Facts

The three Roval Navy ships lost in the winter of 1915 were: HMS Viknor, sunk January 13, HMS Clan McNaughton, sunk February 3, and HMS Bayano,sunk March 11.

HMS Viknor and HMS Clan McNaughton are thought to have been sunk due to either heavy weather or mine strikes and HMS Bayano was torpedoed by the German U-27 off the coast of Ireland.

The fifty-seven Royal Naval Reservists from Newfoundland are commemorated on a memorial at Beaumont Hamel, France, as well as the Caribou Memorial in Bowring Park, St. John’s.

Newfoundland was the first colony where a naval reserve was formally established in 1902. The number of inshore and deep sea fishermen in Newfoundland and Labrador was seen as a rich source for potential recruits.

Quotes

“Our Government is committed to honouring the memory of our brave men and women who served Canada during the First World War. All Canadians should take the time to commemorate the sacrifices made by Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada during that conflict."
The Honourable Rob Nicholson, PC, QC, MP for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

“Canadians owe it to their history, to their country, to remember the sacrifices of our sailors during the First World War. These losses were so keenly felt in the small rural towns across Newfoundland and Labrador and can never be forgotten."
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

“Most sailors who died in these ships were members of the Royal Naval Reserve prior to the outbreak of World War One. It is important to commemorate the history of the naval reserve in the province.”
Lieutenant-Commander Shannon Lewis-Simpson, Commanding Officer, HMCS Cabot

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Contacts

Lieutenant (Navy) Tim Woodworth
Public Affairs Officer, HMCS Cabot
Phone: (709) 631-0441
Email: Timothy.Woodworth@forces.gc.ca

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RCN Remembers First Newfoundland Casualties of the Great War

News Release

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