I was driving into work on Thursday listening to Shift on CBC Radio 2 and the host Tom Allen played a couple songs in tribute to the 1st Newfoundland Regiment.
On July 1, 1916 780 members of the 1st Newfoundland Regiment fought in the Battle of Beaumont-Hamel. The men were supporting a British offensive who were delayed and charged into No Man's Land alone, with 900 metres to cross from their trench to the German's, completely exposed and in broad daylight.
On July 2, only 68 men made roll call.
I didn't know the history of "The Blue Puttees" when I woke up Thursday, but because of the song that Allen played - Recruiting Sergeant by Great Big Sea - I made a point to learn.
Take a listen on YouTube (http://youtu.be/knxR-Q2VoBE).
