The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, today marked the 103rd anniversary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s landing at Kangaroo Beach, Suvla Bay, by attending a commemoration ceremony at Hill 10 Cemetery. As part of the ceremony, Minister Mitchelmore unveiled an interpretive panel to honour the Regiment in Gallipoli, Turkey.

This panel will mark the future location of the sixth caribou monument, thereby completing the Trail of the Caribou. There are five caribou monuments in northern France and Belgium, located at sites significant to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment –their accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices. For the past several years, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, in conjunction with the Government of Canada, has worked with the Republic of Turkey to reach this important agreement to appropriately honour veterans of the Gallipoli Landing.

The monument will be located at Hill 10 Cemetery, which is the resting place for 12 Royal Newfoundland Regiment soldiers, including Private Hugh McWhirter, the Regiment’s first casualty at Gallipoli. More than 1,000 Newfoundlanders landed on Kangaroo Beach during the night of September 19, 1915, and into the early hours of September 20. A skirmish on a ridge known as Caribou Hill, earned the Regiment its first gallantry awards before they went on to fight with distinction at the Western Front.

The Regiment earned the prefix “Royal” in 1917 for recognition of its exceptional service and sacrifice – the only regiment to do so.

The Honour 100 initiative is categorized into five pillars – Anniversaries, Legacy, Education, Provincial Outreach, and Research and Development. Working with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Committee, Honour 100 represents the Provincial Government’s commitment to commemorating Newfoundland and Labrador’s First World War story. 

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“I was honoured to attend the 103rd anniversary of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment’s landing at Kangaroo Beach, Suvla Bay. Today marks the next step in finalizing the Trail of the Caribou and remembering our war story at Gallipoli. It is our responsibility – this generation and future generations – to ensure the legacy of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment is acknowledged and honoured, and our government continues to work with Turkish officials to see this final monument put in its proper place.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

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Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
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