Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Opens in St. John’s

[CV32]

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Opens in St. John’s

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Opens in St. John’s

Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum Opens in St. John’s
June 8, 2016 | 2:03 pm

A memorial by veterans for veterans who've come and gone, the brand new museum of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment opened today at the W. Anthony Paddon Building in St. John's. VOCM's Andrew Hawthorn was there.
Previously stored almost unknown in one of the many buildings of Fort Pepperell, the Regimental museum is a treasure trove of documents, medals and artifacts dating back to the War of 1812.
Lieutenant Governor Frank Fagan opened the museum today, slashing the ribbon with a bayonet.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a new prized acquisition: the medal for gallantry awarded to Stewart Dewling, one of only two medals awarded to the Regiment at Beaumont Hamel.
Museum committee member Chris Butt presented the rare medals explaining there was a reason so few were awarded to Newfoundlanders throughout the war: a solemn pact by their officers to honour the hundreds who fell at Beaumont Hamel itself on July first. To recognize those who could never receive enough for all they had given.
To honour those who never wavered and never looked back.

Job well done.

 

[TheNewfieBullet]

Its nice to see that kind of stuff out for the public to see. I should bring in my great grandfathers records so that they have more than a name and serial number on file!

 

[CGS]

They need to bring Tommy Rickett's Victoria Cross home.

 

[Bombtrack]

They need to bring Tommy Rickett's Victoria Cross home.

Where is it? The Ashcroft collection?

 

[CV32]

They need to bring Tommy Rickett's Victoria Cross home.

Agreed.

Thomas Ricketts was born in White Bay and was only 6 months past his 15th birthday when he enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment in September, 1916. In October of 1918 he was awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest military award for bravery in the British Commonwealth. He was awarded the Victoria Cross by King George V. He is the youngest Canadian Victoria Cross winner.

[CV32: He was not a Canadian soldier, of course. He was a Newfoundland soldier.]

Victoria Cross Recipient Thomas Ricketts.

In part the citation read: Private T. Ricketts was awarded the Victoria Cross for most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty on October 14,1918. During the advance from Ledgehem the attack was temporarily held up by heavy hostile fire, and the platoon to which he belonged suffered severe casualties from the fire of a battery at point blank range. Private Ricketts at once volunteered to go forward with his Section Commander and a Lewis gun to attempt to outflank the battery. They advanced by short rushes while subject to severe fire from enemy machine guns. When 300 yards away, their ammunition gave out. The enemy, seeing an opportunity to get their field guns away, began to bring up their gun teams. Private Ricketts at once realized the situation. He doubled back 100 yards, procured some ammunition and dashed back to the Lewis gun, and by very accurate fire drove the enemy and their gun teams into a farm. His platoon then advanced without casualties, and captured four field guns, four machine guns and eight prisoners. A fifth field gun was subsequently intercepted by fire and captured. By his presence of mind in anticipating the enemy intention and his utter disregard for personal safety, Private Ricketts secured the further supplies of ammunition which directly resulted in these important captures and undoubtedly saved many lives.

Where is it? The Ashcroft collection?

In the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

 

[Bombtrack]

Agreed.

In the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa.

Ah, not the worst place, but not the best either. What about Croak's VC?

 

[Bombtrack]

Back on topic though the museum sounds great, wish it existed a couple years ago..

 

[highlander]

Ah, not the worst place, but not the best either. What about Croak's VC?

Back a good number of years ago when I was in the museum I went looking for Rickett's medal but couldn't locate it; the guide I spoke with didn't seem to know where it was also.

Hopefully, it's in a more noticeable location now.

Never the less, it needs to come home, especially now that we have a proper place to exhibit it.

 

[RedApe]

Back a good number of years ago when I was in the museum I went looking for Rickett's medal but couldn't locate it; the guide I spoke with didn't seem to know where it was also.

Hopefully, it's in a more noticeable location now.

Never the less, it needs to come home, especially now that we have a proper place to exhibit it.

they rarely have the real ones out for display. Some people love stealing those things that are rare.