MEMORIAL DAY , "BETTER THAN THE BEST"

The Battle of the Somme was one of the largest battles of WWI and one of the bloodiest in human history. It began on 1^st July 1916 and dragged on for almost five months, ending when Commander-in-Chief Sir Douglas Haig called off the offensive in November. Over the 141 day battle, casualties were more than one million with over 300,000 deaths. The British had advanced a paltry five miles!

Marker at Beaumont Hamel

No Canadian infantry units participated in the attack on 1^st July.  (Newfoundland was not part of Canada until 1949!) The 1^st Newfoundland Regiment, attached to a British division, was there.  On that morning the Newfoundland Regiment was cut down by German machine-gun fire as it attacked over open ground. Pte Cameron of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers witnessed the battle.  He wrote, “On came the Newfoundlanders, a great body of men, but the fire intensified and they were wiped out in front of my eyes.”

Plaque in the Museum at Ypres

After the Battle of 1st July, Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces, Sir Douglas Haig, wrote to the Newfoundland Government “I should like you to let my fellow citizens of the Empire in the oldest overseas portion of the British Realm know how well their lads have done, both Non-Commissioned Officers and Men, and how proud I, as their Corps Commander, am to have had such a Battalion under my command, and to be a comrade in arms of each and all of them.  Newfoundlanders, I salute you!  You are Better than the Best"

In the Museum at Ypres

In the 1920s the Newfoundland Government bought the ground over which the Newfoundland Regiment fought. 

Newfoundland Memorial Park, Beaumont Hamel, France

The first Memorial Day ceremony took place in downtown St John’s one year after the battle. For many years 1^st July was an official day of Remembrance in Newfoundland but now Memorial Day is very largely overshadowed by the celebration of Canada Day (more’s the pity!).

War Memorial, St John's

Get yourselves off to Bowring Park today (INVITATION OR NO INVITATION!) and sing it LOUD and sing it PROUD!

https://youtu.be/J_wzVUaKLi0

They won us the right to sing it!

OUR CHURCH- DON'T GIVE UP HOPE!

Once upon a time, a school stood here.  This was St Patrick's Convent School, erected in 1921 as a Memorial to the men and boys of the parish who lost their lives in WWI.  Now it is gone.

Site of St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue

This is our church, erected by the free labour, hard work and pennies of our ancestors. Through generations this church has been maintained by the free labour, hard work and pennies of their children and of their children's children.  We must not lose this beautiful, historic church.

Our beautiful St Patrick's Church

This plaque was at the back of our church.  It encourages us to look to the future with hope.  Let's do what we can to save our church, trust in God, and never lose hope.

Plaque at the back of St Patrick's Church

ST PATRICK, PRAY FOR US.

A 108 YEAR OLD TEXTBOOK!

I owe this post to Sean of "FAIR AND SQUARE HANDYMAN SERVICES".

Fair and Square Handyman Services

Sean's mother came across a very old school book which had belonged to her aunt. The aunt, Mary (May) Williams, happens to be my aunt too. 

Mary (May) Williams and her younger sister
standing behind their parents

Mary Williams attended St Patrick's Convent School more than one hundred years ago so she would have been taught by some of the Presentation Sisters who had come over from Ireland on the Newfoundland Mission!  

Mother M DeSales Walsh (1866-1968)

Among the Irish Sisters was Mother Mary DeSales Walsh who was born in Tralee, Co Kerry, in 1866. Mother DeSales was just 16 years old when she arrived in St John's to join the Presentation Sisters at Cathedral Square. Mother DeSales had a long and distinguished life. She taught at various schools, including St Patrick's, and served two terms as Mother General of the Presentation Sisters in Newfoundland. She was also one of May's favourite teachers!  Mother DeSales died at Presentation Motherhouse on 1 March 1968. She was 102 years old.

English textbook used by St Patrick's pupils
more than 100 years ago

Now back to that book! The book is an English text book that children of that time used in school. Sean has taken pictures of some of the pages where we can see where May marked the pages to be studied. Homework, perhaps? He has also taken pictures of the front cover and of the inside back cover. On the inside back cover, May has written her name and the date. At this time, so soon after our commemoration of the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918, the pictures set me thinking about the children who learned from copies of this textbook. They would have lived through the dreadful years of WWI. Many of them would have been in the thick of it, fighting in the mud and blood of the trenches. Sadly, so very many of them would never again return to their beloved Newfoundland. May lost her first beau just days before the Armistice was signed. He died in a military hospital in France at the tender age of 17.  

A peek inside an English textbook from the early 1900s

Could you handle this at 11 or 12 years of age?

Once again, thank you Sean, for the pictures and for others that you have kindly sent to me over the years. I must not forget to thank Sean's mother, my sister Doreen.  She too gets a vote of thanks for keeping the book safe and keeping alive the memory of a 12 year old St Patrick's Girl who studied at our school over one hundred years ago.

Inside back cover with May's signature and the date

MY GRANDFATHER, MY HERO

This post, about William Gushue, another "Glorious Survivor", is a touching tribute from his grandson, Don Mallard.  Pte Gushue had very strong connections with St Patrick's Convent Schools and Holy Cross School.  All the Mallard girls, as well as their grandmother, attended St Patrick's and the boys are all Holy Cross boys.  There is nothing else for me to say except, thank you very much, Don, for this moving story.  We are so pleased you shared it with us.

"As the first of July ... in Newfoundland (Remembrance Day) comes round,  I keep looking out into my garden - not really my garden, but a work of art of my beautiful wife Brenda. I notice one flower that I really love, because it was the symbol of remembrance for Newfoundland before we became a province of Canada! It is, of course, the beautiful blue Forget-Me-Not.

It also brings back many memories of my childhood and memories of my beautiful grandparents! I was the first of a flock of thirteen Mallards. Being the first born, I had a special place in their hearts which I didn’t hesitate to take advantage of. We lived in a three story house at the bottom of Stephen St. Three small apartments and I shared the middle one with my Nan and Pop Gushue. Mom and  Dad shared the bottom floor larger apartment with the rest of the kids. My Aunt Kay, Uncle Art shared the top floor with their family! They all treated me like a king and I loved them and will never forget them. The house was later expropriated during the urban renewal times in the early sixties. It stood just west of Barter’s Hill....where City Hall stands now!

When I was invited to share a few words about my Grandfather Gushue I didn’t quite know where to start.  You see he was a Veteran of Two World Wars and one of the most influential people in my life along with my Nan Gushue and my wonderful Mom and Dad. I was so blessed to be brought up with so much love that is still alive to this day! That’s their legacy - I can’t thank them enough!

The inscription on the service medal says: 

Don's Grandfather's Medal

1914-1918  

 

8293 P F E

W. Gushue

NEWFD F.C

When I researched a little, I found out that Pop Gushue served in the Forestry Unit of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment during World War I. This is not a war story, but a tribute to a man who left his home and family to serve his country in the Great War.

As a boy I remember speaking to him about the War, but he never spoke much about it. He never spoke of seeing any action. Maybe that was a good thing!  He did speak of some of his comrades whom he remembered fondly!  Being of this generation he was very proud of his regiment. “Better than the Best” he would say, quoting a British General describing the courage and toughness of the Newfoundland Regiment.  He was very proud of the letter from the King thanking him for his service upon his return home! Over a hundred years ago now. He liked to speak of places he had been, but the First World War was something he didn’t say a whole lot about to me as a kid.  Maybe the memories were too painful... no doubt he lost a lot of his friends.

Letter signed by King George V and Pte Gushue's medal

In the years following the war he settled down, married and had four children, my Aunt Kay ( Cathrine ) my Aunt Anne, my Mom Helen and Uncle Bill. Mom and Uncle Bill are still with us today and what a blessing that is! He married Mary Monica Flynn, (my beautiful Nan Gushue) one of the sweetest souls God ever created.  

Mary and William Gushue

Pop became a sailor, he worked on many different ships and was away from his family for long periods of time! It must have been so hard on my Nan Gushue. Following the War and then into the twenties and depression years of the thirties he worked “on the boats” mostly as a Chief Steward. We cannot imagine the hard times they went through. This is how he provided for his family. He did see the world and spoke of the many places he had been! The homecomings must have been joyous, but being away for such long periods of time his children would hardly recognise him. 

Then it came again in September 1939. Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Germany invaded Poland and Great Britain and the Empire were at war again. Pop became one of the brave Merchant Seamen who worked the unarmed ships that were crucial to keeping Great Britain, now alone in Europe with vital supplies. The Battle of the Atlantic was one of the most crucial battles of World War Two! German submarines were everywhere and they were lethal, sinking hundreds of ships. 

I remember him telling me a sad story of he and one of his friends. Pop had gotten a berth on the “MV Narissa” as Chief Steward. In the meantime he had gotten a better berth on another vessel, “The Monarch of Bermuda”. He met his friend walking in the street. His friend did the same type of work as he and he told him of his berth on the “Narissa", which he had just given up. His friend applied and got the berth that was his.  Shortly after “The Narissa” was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine and Pop’s friend lost his life. I know Pop Gushue had a very hard time with this. He felt he had sent his friend to his death. 

He told me of a close call he had when he ended up overboard during a blackout in Scotland...he managed to save himself and a number of his fellow sailors who had fallen overboard too!  I remember my Nan Gushue poking fun at him telling him it wouldn’t have happened if they weren’t all drunk, not sure if they were drinking or not, but that was Nan...being the wife of a sailor that was the first thing she would think. Pop would just chuckle at that!

After the War Pop Gushue returned home.  He finally got closer to home. He landed a real good job out in Argentia, at the U S base there.  It looked like things were looking up, but life throws many curves. Pop found his eyesight failing. He was later diagnosed with Glaucoma and in a short while went totally blind in both eyes!  Back then the health care was nowhere where it is today, but Private William Gushue of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment WWI and Merchant Seaman of WW2 was now facing an even greater challenge than bullets and submarines. He would be blind for the rest of his life.

I can tell you now what sustained him and helped him and got him through those difficult years.  He was a man of great Faith. I can remember him walking back and forth our long narrow hallway on Stephen St. with his white cane in one hand and his Rosary in the other.  I remember the priest coming to our house with the Blessed Sacrament and the reverence for the Eucharist, which is the center of our Catholic Faith, that was displayed. I remember my Nan Gushue preparing a small alter of two candles and a crucifix in their bedroom and nobody spoke while the priest was in the house ministering to Pop!  His Faith sustained him and nurtured him for the remainder of his life. I remember Nan Gushue and Pop on their knees with Mom and Dad and the rest of the family leading the Rosary during Lent and other times. Because of Nan and Pop,  and my Mom and Dad, this gift of Faith has been passed on to all of their children, and grandchildren as well. Mom still has the Rosary every Monday night with the family.

What a gift that has been passed on. In my own Faith journey I remember the words of Father Kevin Mckenna’s blessing and the gift that has been passed on to all of our family...”and may he grant you the greatest of all gifts, the final perseverance in the Faith of Jesus Christ...no matter what!" This gift that was passed on to me personally has sustained me through a ten year battle with two types of cancers.

So my Grandfather (Pop) Gushue is definitely my hero. I have and always will have a soft spot in my heart for all veterans and those who serve and have served. May God Bless them and their families! We owe them so much...we must never forget them!

God Bless you all!

Don Mallard"

Don placing Forget-Me-Nots on his grandfather's grave 

THANKS TO 'ARCHIVAL MOMENTS'

As well as St Patrick's Convent Schools, St Patrick's Parish, Holy Cross Schools, and Holy Heart of Mary High School are all part and parcel of our school experience so we like to post about them also. Today's post, which is in honour of another of our "GLORIOUS SURVIVORS", has a Holy Heart connection.  

I am a big fan and follower of 'Archival Moments'.  On 25th February 2019, 'Archival Moments' featured the story of the return of Private Michael Ryan to his home in Calvert.  The Holy Heart connection comes through Michael Ryan's daughter, known to some of us as Sr M Reginald and to others as Sr Marie Ryan.  Whatever name you knew her by, Sister spent many years at Holy Heart of Mary High School and quite a few of us had the good fortune to be taught by her.  

Sr M Reginald/Sr Marie Ryan,
Holy Heart of Mary High School, circa 1964

Michael Ryan had enlisted at St John's on 8th February 1917. According to 'Archival Moments', it was in February 1919 that Private Ryan "arrived home from France by the Corsican, he was home after two years of service having seen some of the most severe fighting of the war, but came through without a wound."   It went on to say that  on 14th February "the ladies of the Harbour tendered Private Ryan a splendid reception in St Joseph's School." 

The MC for the occasion was Joseph Sullivan and he welcomed the young man with the words: "We are glad to have you back again and our only sorrow, and we feel sure yours also, is that your poor chum Charlie who enlisted with you, is not here tonight to share with you our joy, but God willed otherwise, and tonight he, like so many others of our "Better than the Best", sleeps in a hero's honoured grave in France, a martyr to the Huns' frightfulness."  Private Ryan was then presented with a purse and a gold watch and fob as a remembrance of his home coming.

Pte Michael Ryan, Regimental Number 3468

Michael Ryan eventually married Bridget Clancy and they raised a large family which included two priests, Fr Kevin and Fr William, and a Nun, Sr Marie P B V M.

Fr William Ryan

According to his obituary, Michael Ryan lived the rest of his life on his "beloved Southern Shore".  On Sunday morning, 3rd April 1955, Michael Ryan was preparing to take his family to Mass when he died suddenly of a heart attack. Again we quote from his obituary: "Having lived a life given over first to the fear and love of God, it was perhaps fitting that he should die on the way to worship Him."

His son, Fr Kevin, was the main celebrant at Michael Ryan's funeral.  Private Ryan was escorted to the cemetery by a Guard of Honour of the Canadian Legion.  When the final prayers had been said and the Legion ritual completed, they dropped red Poppies into his grave.  "And they buried him among the Fir Trees where the Hill slopes towards the broad Atlantic - within the sight and the sound of which he had lived all his life."

CLUNY MACPHERSON, A RETURNED SOLDIER,

As we approach 1st July, we remember those heroes who fought and died in WWI.  Of course, that is right and proper and long may we continue to honour them and their total sacrifice.  But, many answered the call to arms and, at the end of that loathsome war, returned home to family and friends.  It certainly couldn't have been easy to readjust but most managed to settle back into the life of their communities. Those who fought and returned are also heroes, deserving of honour and remembrance.   

One such returned soldier was Dr Cluny Macpherson.  Dr Macpherson had no direct link with St Patrick's but I am pretty sure that he was the family doctor for many of our families.  I know that he was ours and, although I can't personally remember him, some of my older siblings could recollect Dr Macpherson making house calls. 

About eighteen months ago we spent the day at the Imperial War Museum, London and John took loads of pictures. Newfoundland's contribution was evident amidst the two floors of WWI displays and memorabilia, and Cluny Macpherson's was prominent.

John's photo of the Imperial War Museum, London

WWI Trench markers, displayed at the Imperial War Museum, London.  (Another of John's photos.)

Cluny Macpherson was born in St John's on 18th March 1879.  He earned his medical degree from McGill University, Montreal, and eventually made his way back to St John's where he set up practice as a physician.  At the outbreak of WWI, Cluny enlisted and was commissioned as a Captain and Principal Medical Officer of the newly formed 1st Newfoundland Regiment.  Previously, he had started the first St John Ambulance Brigade in Newfoundland and now members of the Brigade enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment. Captain Cluny Macpherson organised them into an Ambulance Unit which continued throughout the War.  Capt Macpherson saw active service in Belgium, France, Salonika, Gallipoli and Egypt.  He was mentioned twice in dispatches. 

Capt Cluny Macpherson in Egypt (Internet photo!!)

The Germans first used poison gas against the Allied troops in April 1915. To combat the gas, two not very successful devices were hurriedly issued to troops.  Captain Macpherson came up with an improvement on these two and invented an early version of the gas mask.  His invention, the British Smoke Hood, was a canvas hood treated with chlorine-absorbing chemicals, fitted with a see through mica eyepiece.  This was adopted by the British Army and introduced in June 1915. 

Forerunners of the Gas mask. (John took this picture through the glass case.)

Captain Cluny Macpherson's invention.  (A cropped version of John's photo.)

Captain Macpherson was injured in Egypt and returned to Newfoundland in October 1916.  He resumed his medical practice in St John's, served as Director of Medical Services for the Militia, and held various posts for the Newfoundland Medical Society.  Dr Cluny Macpherson retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and lived and worked in his home town until his death on 16th November 1966. 

The Fighting Vaughan Brothers

The story of the Vaughan brothers is one that I know well because it was told and retold in our house when I was growing up. My mother's childhood friend was Pauline Vaughan, only sister of the Vaughan brothers, and the memory of such sadness in a family she knew well stayed with my mother throughout her life. The Vaughan brothers were also parishioners of St Patrick's and Fr Kevin Molloy, their nephew, is Pauline's son. I will say no more because this video, with the help of Brenda Mooney, Pauline's daughter, says it all. Please take the time to watch this video. 

The book "peace by piece" deserves a mention too. I received a copy of it as a Birthday present in September.  If you don't have a copy, you should do your best to get one because "peace by piece" is a beautiful and unusual way of remembering the heroism of Newfoundland families in WWI.

REGIMENTAL NUMBER 364

St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue, was built as a memorial to the men and boys of St Patrick's Parish who died in the carnage of WWI.  Sadly, that building no longer exists.  There is just an empty space where once generations of girls and boys rushed past the memorial plaque by the front entrance. Thanks to Fr Wayne Dohey, the plaque has been erected in St Patrick's Church. 

St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue

The Plaque which was at the main entrance 

of the school

The Woodfords were one of the many families from our parish who lost loved ones.

One of the First 500, Frank Woodford was a single man living with his parents, John and Jane Woodford, at 7 Convent Square.  Frank was a machinist making wire nails and earning $7.80 a week. He had blue eyes and light hair and on the day of his enlistment, 5th September 1914, he had a cut right hand! 

While training in Scotland, Frank had met a girl, Miss Bethia Morton. It must have been serious because Frank left instructions that she should be notified in the event of his death.

Frank's written instructions

Miss Morton heard that Frank had been wounded and she was still seeking news in August when she wrote this poignant letter.  

Betty Morton's poignant letter

Regimental Number 364, Pte Frank Woodford, was killed in action at Beaumont Hamel on 1st July 1916.  He was 23 years old.

Regimental Number 364, Pte Frank Woodford

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

ST PATRICK'S WAR TIME PRIESTS

The two World Wars, and all the wars and conflicts that have followed, have claimed the lives of many parishioners of St Patrick’s Parish.  The deaths of these brave young people have shattered the lives of their loved ones at home.  Through all this misery and heartbreak, it was very often the job of the Pastor to try to comfort and bring what little solace he could to the bereaved families and friends.

 

In this post, we will take a brief look at some of those Pastors.





Msgr J J McDermott

When WWI broke out in 1914, the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s was an Irishman, Msgr J J McDermott.  Msgr McDermott was born in Roscommon in 1872 and was Pastor of St Patrick’s from 1909 – 1915.  He died in 1947.





Bishop Henry T Renouf

For the duration of the First World War, Father Henry T Renouf tended to the spiritual needs of the good people of St Patrick’s Parish.  Father Renouf, like Msgr McDermott, was born in 1872, but Fr Renouf was born in St John’s.  Fr Renouf was Pastor of St Patrick’s from 1915 – 1920.   In 1920, Fr Renouf was consecrated Bishop of St George’s.  Bishop Henry Renouf died in 1941.

 

Padre Thomas Nangle

The most well know of former priests of St Patrick’s Parish is probably Fr Thomas Nangle.  In 1914, Msgr McDermott was joined by the young Fr Nangle.  When WWI broke out, Fr Nangle was assistant priest to the Pastor, Fr Renouf.  It is commonly, but erroneously, believed that the massacre of the Newfoundlanders at Beaumont Hamel on 1^st July 1916 inspired Fr Nangle to enlist as Chaplain to the Newfoundland Regiment.  There is documented proof that Fr Nangle long desired to join his fellow countrymen in the fray.  We know that Fr Nangle actually enlisted in October 1915 but much correspondence between London and St John’s and much red tape had to be gotten through before the priest was given the go-ahead.  It was in July 1916 that Archbishop Roche provided Fr Nangle with his celebret and a letter giving him permission to leave the diocese and serve as a Chaplain.  Fr Nangle proved to be an exemplary Chaplain, brave, compassionate and kind.  He was well loved and respected by all with whom he came in contact.

 

Archbishop Thomas J Flynn

For the years spanning WWII, Fr Thomas John Flynn was Pastor of St Patrick’s.  Fr Flynn was born in Placentia in 1892 and ordained in 1919.  He came to St Patrick’s in 1932 and served its people until 1945.  In 1945 Fr Flynn was created Coadjutor to Archbishop E P Roche of St John’s with the right of succession.  However, Archbishop Flynn predeceased Archbishop Roche.  He died on 1^st September 1949.

 

Sad to say, the years since the ending of World War II have been anything but peaceful.  The world is still plagued with wars and conflicts and men and women are still dying in the service of their country.  The priests of St Patrick’s, like clergymen everywhere, are always available to offer what help and sympathy they can to the bereaved families of the fallen.

 

On this 11^th November 2015, we remember in heart and prayer all who have made the supreme sacrifice. May they rest in the peace that the world cannot give, the peace of Christ.

Laurence Binyon

 

“At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.”

(Robert Laurence Binyon)

 

Let us also remember the priests who have played their sad role in all wars and conflicts, those whose work is done and those who are still striving to bring comfort where often there is none.

 

Perhaps it is appropriate to end this post with the words of a valiant lady, Edith Stein.  Edith, or Sr Teresia Benedicta as she  became,  knew firsthand the horrors of war and died because she was Jewish.

Edith Stein (Sr Teresia Benedicta)





“The nation doesn’t simply need what we have.  It needs what we are.”

(St Teresia Benedicta)

WINNIFRED SULLIVAN AND CLASSMATES

I have received a very interesting photo from Pamela (Brown) Hartman.  Pamela graduated from St Patrick's in 1976.  Pamela's mother, WINNIFRED SULLIVAN, is in this picture, front row, fifth from right. 

Winnifred Sullivan Brown is in the very centre of
the front row, 5th right.

The photo, taken in the 1950s, is of Sr Imelda's Commercial Class.  After graduation, many girls went on to do a Business Course, known in those days as "Commercial Class".  Sr Imelda taught Commercial at St Patrick's for many, many years before eventually being transferred to the new High School, Holy Heart of Mary.  Sr Imelda's Commercial graduates were always well instructed and in great demand in offices in St John's.  So highly were they thought of that company bosses and directors would contact the school looking for graduates to fill vacancies in their offices.  Hence, most of the girls would have jobs waiting for them upon completion of their Commercial course.

I am posting a cropped version and the original version of the photo.  The cropped version is to give you a closer look at the girls so that, hopefully, you can identify some of them for us.  I do have someone working on that at the moment but if any of you can help, it would be much appreciated.  (If you click on the pictures they will enlarge!) You can send us any information at mcallistersmith@gmail.com and we will add it to the post.



Sr Imelda's "Commercial Class", 1950s. 
The Deanery Avenue School is in the beacground.

I love the original version of this photo.  The old Deanery Avenue School is in the background.  This School, which opened in 1921, was built as a memorial to the men and boys of St Patrick's Parish who gave their lives in WWI.  Sadly, this School is no more and where it once stood there is now just a vacant lot.  There is nothing, neither plaque nor word nor picture, to remind the populace of the dedicated teachers, the generations of children nor of the brave young men for whom it was meant as a lasting tribute.

Pamela, thank you very much for sharing this beautiful photo with us.  I hope someone will be able to come up with a bit of information for you.

WWI AND ST PATRICK’S CONVENT SCHOOL

The First St Patrick’s Convent School was opened in 1856 and it served the educational requirements of the parish extremely well.  However, after more than sixty years, it was evident that a new building was necessary to meet the needs of the increasing number of pupils.  Therefore, plans were put into motion for the erection of a new school.  The new school was to be built on Deanery Avenue and as St Patrick’s Parish, like every other Parish in Newfoundland, had lost many young men and boys to the carnage of World War I, it was decided that the new St Patrick’s Convent School would be built as a Memorial to these young soldiers.  On 4^th December 1921 the cornerstone of the memorial School was laid by Archbishop E P Roche, assisted by the Parish Priest, Msgr William Kitchen and priests of the Parish. 

 

This interesting advertisement appeared in a local St John's newspaper on 15 July 1921.  It invited the populace to a “Grand Concert and Comic Sketches”.  This Grand Concert, to be held at St Patrick’s Parish Hall, was in aid of the Memorial School.  The admission price was just 50¢.







The Newspaper ad for the fund raising concert in aid of
the 'memorial' St Patrick's Convent School

This is the St Patrick’s Convent School, built as a Memorial to the young men of the Parish who died in WWI.  There was, on the right hand side of the main door, a plaque indicating that the school was indeed such a memorial. Many generations of west end girls and boys received their education here but in due course this building also outlived its usefulness as a school and, sadly, closed its doors.  It was not the end though - at least not yet! 



St Patrick's Convent School, Deanery Avenue ,
A Memorial to men of the Parish who fell in WWI

 

The plaque which was attached to the right hand
side of the Deanery Avenue School entrance

 

In 1978, the Sisters of Mercy reopened the School as a Residential Detoxification Centre.  It was renamed Talbot House, in memory of Venerable Matt Talbot.  In time, Talbot House also closed and eventually the building was demolished. 

 

We have been given several names of parishioners who died in WWI.  If you know of any other parishioners who died in that war, please send their names to mcallistersmith@gmail.com if you would like them added to the list below. 

 

Carew,  Pte John Joseph, Regimental Number 651, Son of David and Carrie Carew, 2 Brien St, St John’s

Constantine, Pte Peter, Regimental Number 563, Son of Peter and Hannah Constantine, 20 McFarlane St, St John’s

Galgay, Pte Francis Joseph, Regimental Number 892, Son of Francis and the late Mary Galgay, 235 Water St West, St John’s

Holden, Pte Patrick, Regimental Number 555, Son of Joseph and Mary Alice Holden, Southside, St John’s

Kennedy, Pte Michael Francis, Regimental Number 255, Son of Nicholas and Margaret Kennedy, 187 Lemarchant Road, St John’s

Pynn, Pte Jack, Regimental Number 4036, Son of Daniel and Margaret Pynn, 329 Water St West, St John’s

Woodford, Pte Francis Patrick, Regimental Number 364, Son of John Joseph and Sarah Jane Woodford, 7 Convent Square, St John’s

 

Padre Thomas Nangle

We also remember Fr Thomas Nangle, a priest of St Patrick’s Parish from 1914 to 1916.  After the bloodbath of Beaumont Hamel in 1916, Fr Nangle enlisted and became the  Newfoundland Regiment's Catholic Chaplain.  We know that in war,  Chaplains don’t carry arms but Padre Nangle was beside his men tending the wounded, burying the dead and encouraging the battle weary.

 

We Newfoundlanders owe a great debt to Padre Thomas Nangle. During the War he brought comfort to the soldiers and their families.  After the War Padre Nangle was involved with the identification and re-interment of the Newfoundlanders who had died in battle.  He was also the driving force behind the creation of the beautiful Newfoundland Memorial Park at Beaumont Hamel in France. This exceptional  Newfoundlander, Padre Thomas Nangle, died in Rhodesia on 4^th January 1972.

Today, St Patrick’s Convent School, Deanery Avenue, built as a memorial to our heroic dead of WWI, is just a memory.  Sadly, nothing remains but an empty space.  No trace of this Memorial can be seen.  It exists only in the mind’s eye of the diminishing number of westenders who spent their formative years as pupils there.  So, on this Memorial Day, 1st July 2015, we remember those who have died in all Wars and Conflicts but we remember especially our own heritage.  We remember the parishioners who came before us; those who gave their lives in war and the families who grieved for them. We remember the people who dreamed a St Patrick’s Convent Memorial School to honour our fallen parishioners and we remember the good people who worked so hard to make that dream a reality.  Yes, the School is gone but the memories remain.  Let us honour the memories!

This grassy bank is where St Patrick's Convent School, a Memorial to parishioners who died in WWI, once stood