November 11th 1998 marks the 80th anniversary of the Armistice that brought the Great War (1914-1918) to a close. The conference will be a part of public commemorations to mark this event. This special anniversary provides a unique opportunity for raising public awareness of Newfoundland's war effort during that conflict.

The role of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and especially its heroic action at Beaumont Hamel on July 1st 1916 has been the focal point of public interest in the Great War. Important though the Regiment's role was there are other dimensions of Newfoundland's war effort that need to be examined to enlarge our understanding of the impact of the Great War on this island and its people.

To that end, Memorial University of Newfoundland and other interested organisations and agencies will be sponsoring a multi-disciplinary community-based conference from 12-14 November 1998. The Newfoundland and the Great War Conference will concentrate on the broader issues related to Newfoundland's participation in World War I. The conference will be integrated into other public commemorations planned for that week.

The conference will feature papers on a wide range of themes bearing on Newfoundland's war effort, both domestic and military, including those that examine the long term consequences of the country's participation in the conflict. Archives, museums, historic sites, the artistic community, schools, community and heritage organisations will also participate. The general public is cordially invited to attend any and all events.

Organizing Committee

    Chair: Dr. David R. Facey-Crowther - Dept. of History, MUN
    Mr. Bert Riggs - Archivist, Centre for Newfoundland Studies Archives, MUN
    Dr. John FitzGerald - Institute of Social and Economic Research, MUN
    Professor Louise Dawe - Dept. of History, MUN
    Ms. Joan Ritcey - Head, Centre for Newfoundland Studies, MUN
    Ms. Caroline Stone - Exhibitions/Education Curator, Art Gallery of Newfoundland and Labrador, MUN
    Dr. Michael Staveley - Dept. of Geography, MUN
    Professor Geoffrey Farmer - Dept. of Geography, MUN
    Mr. Jason Churchill - Newfoundland and Labrador Heritage Web
    Mr. Perry Chafe - Public Programmer, Newfoundland Museum
    Ms. Shelley Smith - Provincial Archivist, Provincial Archives of Newfoundland and Labrador
    Ms. Jessie Chisholm - Professional Development Officer, Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Archives
    Ms. Georgina Howell - Newfoundland and Labrador Genealogical Society Inc.
    Dr. David Parsons - Western Front Association
    Mr. John Lavers - Memorial University of Newfoundland alumnus
    Captain Paul Furlong - Royal Newfoundland Regiment

[Home]