27

Fishing Boats in Bonavista Harbour.
1923
Bonavista, Newfoundland

28

The Johnson Room with fishing gear
1914
Little Catalina, Newfoundland

29

Fishermen did business in a truck system. They would be outfitted with supplies and equipment by a merchant and pay off their debts with the fish they caught. Fishermen were perpetually in debt and at the mercy of the merchant class. This situation, combined with wrongs, real and imagined, perpetrated on the poor fishermen by the merchants, bred an animosity that permeated Newfoundland culture till modern times.

30

Post card promoting the Fishermen's Protective Union and it's leader Sir William F. Coaker.
1919
Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland

31

Attempts were made to break this cycle of dept. The most successful attempt was the Fishermen's Protective Union Led by Sir William Ford Coaker. He organized a fishery cooperative that put money in the pockets of fishermen by bypassing the St. John's merchants and dealing directly with overseas markets.

32

A post card showing a meeting of the Fishermen's Protective Union
1919
Bonavista, Newfoundland

33

Coaker spread his ideas through the Fishermen's Advocate, a newspaper published by the union. For the first time fishermen were organized. They became a political force with the power to control their own destinies.

34

Death certificate of Frederick C. Roper who made the supreme sacrifice in World War I.
27 November 1915

35

During World War I Newfoundland lost more young men per capita than any other country in the British Empire. Of the 6277 men accepted for service overseas by the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, 1232 lost their lives and 2314 were wounded. It has been said that they were the brightest and best and that the country never fully recovered from the loss.
Frederick Roper was the son of John Roper. He left his home on the Mockbeggar Plantation to fight for King and country. He died in battle at Gallipoli. He was the first recruit from Bonavista to die in the Great War.

36

World War I sailors.
1914
Newfoundland

37

The fiercely proud and adventurous young Newfoundlanders were quick to sign up and tended to be close to the action when sent overseas.

38

Young recruits in the Great War.
1914
St. John's, Newfoundland

39

At Beaumont Hamel in France on July 1st 1916, the Newfoundland Regiment was almost wiped out in one battle.

40

Young army recruit in formal portrait, surrounded by allied flags.
1914
Europe