The lesser-known story of Newfoundlanders and the Battle of Vimy Ridge
Editor’s Note: In commemoration of Memorial Day, we are pleased to run this address by Lieut. Col. Kyle Strong of Conception Bay South, whose great-grandfather, Lance Corporal Aaron Strong, served with the Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the First World War. The address was made at the Battle of the Atlantic commemoration ceremony at the cenotaph in Long Pond this past May.
By Kyle Strong For The Shoreline / June 29, 2023
At the break of dawn on a snowy April 9th, 1917, World War I’s Battle of Arras commenced with 100,000 soldiers of the Canadian Corps advancing on Vimy Ridge. It was the first time that all four Canadian divisions attacked together – a feat that many believe truly made Canada a nation. By April 12th, the Canadians had captured Vimy and a new sense of national identity was forged.
Vimy Ridge, more than any other Canadian military battle, has become part of Canada itself. It provided Canada with a context for nationhood and a sense of pride in an achievement not accomplished by either the French or the British earlier in the war. Brigadier-General Alexander Ross, who earlier commanded the 28th (Northwest) Battalion at Vimy, remarked during his speech at the unveiling of the Vimy Ridge Memorial on July 26, 1936: “It was Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific on parade. I thought then… that in those few minutes I witnessed the birth of a nation.” But the cost was steep – 11,000 Canadian casualties, 3,600 killed and approximately 20,000 German casualties.
What is less well known, but equally remarkable, was the Newfoundland Regiment’s contribution to the larger battle in the days that followed that ensured Canada’s success was not quickly erased. The Canadian and Newfoundland World War I wartime experiences were often intertwined and, perhaps fortuitously, nowhere more so than at Vimy and Arras in April 1917.
As the Canadian Corps surged over Vimy Ridge, only a few miles away the British Third Army, of which the Newfoundland Regiment was a part, attacked eastward from Arras. South of Vimy Ridge stood the village of Monchy-le-Preux. It was the key to future success. The village stood on dominating high ground which provided superb observation for artillery and supporting fire. Whoever held the village would control the expansive battlefield and it’s taking was vital in order to preserve the victories of the previous days at Vimy. On April 14th, the Regiment attacked along the Arras to Cambrai road at Monchy-le-Preux colliding head-on with a German counter-attack three times its size. The Germans attacked from three sides essentially surrounding the Regiment, but the Newfoundlanders held firm. The Germans attacked again and again until most of the Newfoundlanders were killed or wounded leaving only nine Newfoundlanders and one Essex Regiment soldier to defend the village. This small force, today known as the Monchy 10, famously held out until reinforcements arrived five hours later.
Had Monchy been re-taken by the Germans, Vimy Ridge would’ve been subjected to withering German artillery fire and subsequent offensives. British Major-General Sir Beauvoir de Lisle stated that had Monchy fallen, 40,000 Allied soldiers would have been required to retake it. While this was arguably the greatest victory of the war for the Newfoundland Regiment, the cost was immense and second only to Beaumont Hamel in casualties – 159 killed, 134 wounded, and 150 taken prisoner of which 28 died of wounds in captivity. One Charlie Company soldier of the Newfoundland Regiment at Monchy that day was my great-grandfather, Lance Corporal Aaron Strong, Regimental number 2642. Though seriously wounded in the attack, he managed to crawl back to friendly lines and survived the war.
As we pause to remember we must commit to all who have served – in war and peace – that their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten. We are duty bound to honour their legacy, to stand where once they stood and to keep the faith with those who never returned and support those who were never the same. Let us strive to honor and support the individuals and families who continue to mourn and care for those who valiantly served. It is incumbent on us to do all we can to ease their burdens and honor their sacrifices. It is the least that we can do for what they have given us.
Thank you.