2015-2016

News Release

REF NO.: 224

SUBJECT: PSA; Memorial University hosts film screening and symposium to remember Beaumont Hamel

DATE: June 8, 2016

As part of the university’s WW100 Commemoration Program, Memorial is proud to present the symposium 1916: Beaumont Hamel and Beyond.

This event launches with a special presentation of a new full-length documentary, Newfoundland at Armageddon.

For this production, direct descendants of the men who fought in Beaumont Hamel and the women who served as nurses and ambulance drivers were recruited and trained to recreate the 22-minute battle. The film also focuses on the role that women played in the war effort on the home front.

A Quebec/Newfoundland and Labrador co-production, the film is directed by Brian McKenna, written by Michael Crummey, produced by Arnie Gelbart, GalaFilm (Montreal) and Barbara Doran, Morag Loves Company (St. John’s) and is narrated by Alan Doyle. See here for more information.

The screening takes place Friday, June 17, from 7-9:30 p.m. in Innovation Hall, Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation, on the St. John’s campus.

On June 18, the symposium continues with a day-long program offered in partnership with the Royal Newfoundland Regimental Advisory Council and the Newfoundland Historic Society. Participants will follow the Newfoundland Regiment from Gallipoli to Beaumont Hamel and will receive a virtual tour of the battlefield. The symposium will also explore other major events of the First World War, including the Battles of the Somme, Verdun and Jutland. The symposium is dedicated to the memory of local historian Dr. W. David Parsons.

The symposium runs from 9:30 a.m.-3:10 p.m., also at Innovation Hall, Bruneau Centre.

Admission is free of charge; however, registration is required by emailing rsvp@mun.ca. Parking is available in areas 1A and 18.

For more information, please visit www.mun.ca/WW100.

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