Why a philanthropist was motivated to help build a Beaumont-Hamel exhibit

Elinor Gill Ratcliffe, the philanthropist who made a generous donation to launch a permanent exhibit to young Newfoundlanders killed in France a century ago, has personal connections to a story she says has helped define the character of Newfoundland and Labrador. 

In one year's time, The Rooms will open a permanent exhibit dedicated to remembering the stories and tragedy of Beaumont-Hamel.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery will open 100 years after the battle of Beaumont-Hamel, where more than 700 young Newfoundland men were injured or killed on July 1, 1916, the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. 

"It was a devastating blow to this nation. Devastating," said Ratcliffe, who donated $3.2 million to help create the exhibit.

The gallery, which will feature a vast collection of artifacts and stories from the First World War, will also examine the consequences of Beaumont-Hamel for Newfoundland and Labrador up until Confederation.

'Who we are'

"I think it's important to understand our sense of place and who we are," she said.

"We woke up to the fact that we were a small little colony and we had lost our leaders. We had lost a generation."

That day is part of us now.- Elinor Gil Ratcliffe

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment Gallery will be the largest First World War exhibit in Canada.

Gill Ratcliffe said that helping create this exhibit is tremendously important to her. Two of her relatives died in the First World War. Although she never had the chance to meet them, she said she still feels like those men are a part of her family and life.

"What does it mean to be a Newfoundlander? No. 1, Beaumont-Hamel," said Ratcliffe.

"That day is part of us now."

Ratcliffe has donated to other projects that included the Loop skating trail in Bannerman Park and the sculpture of a rower on the shores of Quidi Vidi Lake.