Minister accepts Royal Newfoundland Regiment Service Records
for Provincial Archives holdings

The Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador is acquiring microfilm copies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Service Records from World War I from the National Archives of Canada. Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, accepted the first installment of the copies from Mr. Ian E. Wilson, National Archivist, at an event held at the Colonial Building today.

"These records are of great significance to the people of this province. They represent the return of an important source for the study of our rich military history and the role the Royal Newfoundland Regiment played," said Minister Bettney. "For the first time, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be able to research this aspect of their past here at home."

This celebrates the successful project involving the Provincial Archives, the National Archives and the Genealogical Society of Utah, whose members microfilmed the originals at the National Archives� preservation facility in Gatineau, Quebec. Prior to this transfer of copies, researchers had to write to the National Archives or travel to Ottawa for information.

"These records tell a story of immense sacrifice and valour," said Mr. Wilson. "Ypres and Cambrai earned the Regiment the designation �Royal,� but it is a single day at Beaumont Hamel that has become a symbol of the horror and heroism of trench warfare."

Minister Bettney said these records document the exemplary and proud service of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I. "The availability of these records in this province has symbolic value for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians."

Also on hand for the ceremony were members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the Signal Hill Tattoo, Veterans Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, and the Genealogical Society of Utah.

The microfilming process is still ongoing and the entire collection of the copies of service records will be available at the Provincial Archives by the end of the fall. The public will be notified of its arrival at that time.

This acquisition is timely as the Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador prepares for the move to its new home at The Rooms in 2004. This move will allow the Provincial Archives to continue to pursue acquisitions such as these copies of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Service Records because it will have additional staff and space resources to manage new partnerships once The Rooms is complete.

"This event is an appropriate way to mark the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend," said Minister Bettney. "This weekend has significant meaning for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians as they commemorate the July 1 anniversary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment�s well-known contribution and losses in the battle at Beaumont Hamel, France."

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-0857.

2002 06 28                                 2:45 p.m.