Justice and Public Safety
November 30, 2016

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:

Minister Highlights Special Call to Bar Ceremony

Mr. Speaker, this year we are marking the 100^th anniversary of the Battle of Beaumont Hamel.

Earlier this fall, the Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador held a special Call to Bar to honour five students in law who suspended their studies to take part in the war effort. Unfortunately, none of these five Newfoundlanders and Labradorians had an opportunity to complete their studies after the war.

These brave individuals were Cecil Clift; John Clift; William Hutchings; Janet Miller and Harris Rendell Oke. Each was ceremonially conferred with the Honorary Degree of Barrister-at-Law by the Law Society.

Cecil Clift was killed at Gueudecourt, France, on October 12, 1916; his brother John was severely wounded and retired from the Newfoundland Regiment in 1919. He was later awarded the Military Cross, and died of complications from war wounds in 1920.

William Hutchings enlisted on September 16, 1914, and was discharged in 1919. He resumed his law studies, but could not continue due to medical reasons.

Janet Miller was the first female permitted to enter into articles in the province. She joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment and served for the duration of the war.

Harris Oke enlisted in 1914 and transferred to the Royal Scots Regiment in 1915. He was also awarded the Military Cross. Following the war, he joined the British Foreign Service.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to commend the Law Society for holding the special Call to Bar and ask my Honourable colleagues to join me in recognizing these Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and their extraordinary contributions during this time in our history.

Thank you.

2016 11 30             2:25 p.m.