{"product_id":"ww1-newfoundland-regiment-dark-bronzed-cap-badge-long-rear-loops","title":"WW1 Newfoundland Regiment dark bronzed cap badge (long rear loops)","description":"\u003cp\u003eRare cap badge in excellent condition. Slight verdigras around the rear loops, rear loops are longer than others I have at approx 12mm .\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Regiment\u003cbr\u003eAt the outbreak of war in 1914, Newfoundland was not yet part of Canada (it remained a self-governing Dominion until 1949), so the regiment was raised independently by the Newfoundland government. Around 500 men volunteered almost immediately, forming the 1st Newfoundland Regiment, which was later granted the “Royal” prefix by King George V in recognition of its exceptional service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Western Front and Gallipoli\u003cbr\u003eThe regiment saw action at Gallipoli in 1915-16, suffering significant casualties in that brutal campaign. They then transferred to the Western Front.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Somme - 1st July 1916\u003cbr\u003eThis is the defining moment in the regiment’s history, and one of the most devastating single-day losses suffered by any unit in the entire British Empire during the war.\u003cbr\u003eAt Beaumont-Hamel on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, the regiment was ordered to attack across open ground. The preceding units had already been cut down, which meant the Newfoundlanders had to cross not only No Man’s Land but also their own trenches to reach the front. German machine guns had a completely clear field of fire.\u003cbr\u003eWithin approximately 30 minutes, the regiment was effectively destroyed as a fighting force:\u003cbr\u003e∙ Roughly 800 men went into the attack\u003cbr\u003e∙ Around 710 were killed, wounded, or missing\u003cbr\u003e∙ Only 68 men answered roll call the following morning\u003cbr\u003e∙ Every single officer who went over the top was either killed or wounded\u003cbr\u003eThe following day, the regimental commander sent a one-line report to headquarters: “I have no battalion.”\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Gradia Militaria","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53519937896776,"sku":"July26-33","price":140.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0924\/1103\/5976\/files\/IMG-1408.heic?v=1784032833","url":"https:\/\/www.gradiamilitaria.com\/products\/ww1-newfoundland-regiment-dark-bronzed-cap-badge-long-rear-loops","provider":"Gradia Militaria","version":"1.0","type":"link"}