Downtown in St. John's in Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)
The Newfoundland National War Memorial
Le Monument Commémoratif National de Guerre de Terre-Neuve
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, July 2024
1. The Newfoundland National War Memorial Marker
Unveiled in 1924, this imposing monument honours the service of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians during the First World War. Its construction was paid for in part by community fundraising by the Great War Veterans' Association. Designed by Gilbert Bayes and Ferdinand Victor Blundstone, the female allegorical sculpture, often referred to as Victory, Liberty, or the Spirit of Newfoundland, rises above realistic bronze figures of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Royal Naval Reserve, Merchant Marine, and Forestry Corps. Located near the harbour where troops departed and returned from the war, it remains an important site of remembrance.
Dévoilé en 1924, cet imposant monument rappelle le service des Terre-Neuviens et Labradoriens durant la Première Guerre mondiale. Sa construction est financée en partie par une levée de fonds de la Great War Veterans' Association. La conception de Gilbert Bayes et Ferdinand Victor Blundstone dresse la figure allégorique féminine, souvent appelée
this page online
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Topics and series. This historical marker and memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 1, 1924.
Location. 47° 34.043′ N, 52° 42.22′ W. Marker is in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in Avalon Peninsula. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of Water Street and Queens Cove, on the left when traveling north on Water Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 92 Water Street, St John's NL A1C 1G5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker and memorial is in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Avalon Peninsula. It is also in Atlantic Canada. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, and Acadia.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Sir Humphrey Gilbert (within shouting distance of this marker); 28 Cochrane Street (about 210 meters away, measured in a direct line); Bannerman House (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Bank of British North America (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Former Bank of British North America (approx.
Photographed by Jcmurphy (via Wikimedia Commons under CC 3.0 license), April 26, 2005
2. The Newfoundland National War Memorial
The marker is just out of the picture, to the left.
Also see . . . National War Memorial (Newfoundland) (Wikipedia). Overview:
The National War Memorial in Downtown St. John's is the most elaborate of all the post World War I monuments in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was erected at King's Beach on Water Street where, in 1583, Sir Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland for England (following John Cabot's 1497 expedition). It was formally unveiled on Memorial Day, 1 July 1924 by Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig.(Submitted on October 11, 2025.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 71 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 10, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
