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Education Remembering the Great War: New Website Introduces Students to
Students in the province will now have the opportunity to learn in-depth information about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War, thanks to a unique project undertaken by the Provincial Government and The Rooms Corporation. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and Dean Brinton, CEO of The Rooms, for the launch of the new site today. "This new, interactive website provides the most comprehensive and accurate database of information on the Royal Newfoundland Regiment ever made available," said Minister King. "In addition to providing detailed information on the regiment in the First World War, we have created a database with access to the war records of individual soldiers. Through this, we're showing the students that the soldiers were real men with parents, siblings and wives. As students learn about what these soldiers endured, we hope they will better understand the war, its impact on our province and most importantly, the lives of the brave men who fought and often died." The Provincial Government invested approximately $150,000 for the project through the Cultural Connections program. The site is designed specifically for Grade 8 students studying the province's history and supplements Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205 for high school students. The content on the site is specifically linked to curriculum outcomes. The site is also accessible to the general public at www.therooms.ca/regiment and will be an important research tool for both military and genealogical researchers as well as family members of First World War soldiers. "The First World War was a defining moment in the history of Newfoundland and Labrador, and many maintain that it continues to shape who we are today," said Minister French. "This virtual exhibit provides a wealth of information for researchers and genealogists, and brings these young men, and their families, alive to a whole new generation. It is a remarkable resource, and will no doubt be used by thousands of people who want to know more about the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the personal, often heart-breaking stories of those involved." The online database currently contains over 2,200 individual soldier files from The Rooms Provincial Archives, including all 1,305 Newfoundland and Labrador men who died in the war and all soldiers who received commendations. In time, the site will include all 5,391 Newfoundland and Labrador soldiers of the regiment who fought in the First World War. The individual files contain records such as enlistment papers, hospital records and family correspondence. The site also includes several other features, such as interactive maps showing the regiment's journey from St. John's to Great Britain, then deployment in Gallipoli, Egypt, and finally the Western Front. Five battles are explained in depth, representing locations in France and Belgium where there are Caribou Memorials. Also included on the site are hundreds of images of artifacts such as rifles, mess kits and uniforms. The majority are 3-D and a magnifier is available to allow the user to zoom in on the details of each object. Some of these images include audio, explaining the object or providing an interesting anecdote. There is also archival video footage, newspaper articles and photos of soldiers. The complete War Diary of the Regiment, dating from September 1, 1915, to March 31, 1919, is also available.The compilation of materials was obtained primarily through The Rooms Collection, with additional artifacts provided by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum, the Canadian War Museum, Memorial University, the Bell Island Heritage Society and the collections of private families. Additional film footage was obtained from the Imperial War Museum in London, England."At The Rooms we are determined to serve as an important educational resource for our province's young people, enabling them to develop a greater understanding of their cultural heritage and inspiring them to harness this legacy," commented Dean Brinton, CEO of The Rooms Corporation. "The launch of this comprehensive and innovative website on the Royal Newfoundland Regiment takes us another step closer toward that goal as we continue to strive toward creating even greater accessibility to the province's collections, and allowing students unparalleled access regardless of their location." "Though designed primarily to complement the Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador history course and the high school Newfoundland and Labrador studies course, the site is a useful research tool for anyone interested in military history, or for those who simply want to know more about an ancestor," said Minister King. "It provides an incredible amount of personal details, but it also pulls together the social, political and economic ramifications of the war. With the help of this site, students will gain a clear understanding of how this war affected Newfoundland and Labrador. No one was left untouched. Our students shouldn't be either." - 30 - Media contacts:
2010 04 29 9:20 a.m. |
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