City thanked for “deeply meaningful” tribute from 2,500 miles away
Canterbury has been thanked by the people of Newfoundland and Labrador for paying tribute to the role of its soldiers in defending the city in the Second World War.
The premier of the Canadian province, the Hon Tony Wakeham, told its House of Assembly he wanted to ‘recognise a deeply meaningful act of remembrance’ after Canterbury City Council installed a commemorative display marking the role the 59th Newfoundland Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery, played.
Taking pride of place in the Dane John Gardens as part of the council’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) restoration project, the display tells the story of how the soldiers travelled more than 2,500 miles to protect Canterbury and the nearby area.
Mr Wakeham said: “This permanent tribute recognises the important role Newfoundlanders played in the defence of Great Britain during one of history’s darkest chapters.
“In 1940 and 1941, as Britain stood under threat of invasion, Newfoundlanders crossed the Atlantic to defend freedom and democracy.
“At Dane John Gardens, members of the Regiment installed and manned massive coastal defence guns to protect Canterbury and the surrounding region.
“Their courage, commitment, and readiness formed part of Britain’s defence in its hour of greatest need.
“We will always remember those who served and sacrificed so future generations can live in peace and freedom.
“This display ensures their legacy and the enduring bond between Newfoundland and Labrador and Canterbury will be remembered for generations to come.”
The commanding officer of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Kyle Strong, has also written to express his ‘sincerest gratitude to Canterbury City Council’ on behalf of his soldiers and officers.
Speaking on Memorial Day in Newfoundland and Labrador (Wednesday 1 July), Cllr Charlotte Cornell, Cabinet Member for Council Services, said: “Young men crossed the Atlantic from Newfoundland and Labrador to help defend our city and the country beyond at one of our darkest moments in history.
“It is only right that their service is remembered.
“We hope this display in Dane John Gardens ensures the courage and sacrifice of those men, and the enduring friendship between Newfoundland and Labrador and Canterbury, are never forgotten.”
The commemorative display says:
Newfoundlanders in the gardens
By June 1940, German forces had conquered all of mainland Europe and stood ready to cross the Channel to invade Britain.
The coast around Dover and Folkestone was the obvious target. Just inland, Canterbury would be on the frontline.
In 1940–1941, the Dominion of Newfoundland (now part of Canada) sent men across the Atlantic to help Britain in its hour of need.
The Newfoundlanders formed two artillery regiments within the British Army.
The 59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery, manned defensive guns along the south coast of England.
In 1941, they installed two enormous First World War howitzers here in Dane John Gardens and manned them during 1941-1942.
Each had a barrel 12 inches (305 mm) in diameter and fired high-explosive shells weighing 750 lbs (340 kg) over a range of 14,350 yd (13.122 km).
The massive guns had to be taken apart and transported through the narrow streets of the city to reach the gardens.
The guns were then assembled and carefully camouflaged with netting, earth mounds and other artful devices. One was actually disguised as a bandstand!
They were aimed to cover the Dover to Canterbury road, a potential route for the invasion.
Fortunately, there was no invasion and the monster howitzers were never fired.
Had they been, the noise and vibration would have shattered windows and walls all around.
After the war, the old howitzers were removed and the muddy mess left behind was transformed back into a pleasure garden.
Top image credit: Imperial War Museum
Published: 1 July 2026