AJAs 2024 Finalists
The Unknown Newfoundland Soldier
| Slug/Label | The Unknown Newfoundland Soldier |
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| Date Aired or Published | 23,05,2023/24,05,2024/ 27,05,2024 |
| Media outlet where first aired or published: | NTV News |
| Name of Program: | NTV Evening Newshour |
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| Location: | Beaumont Hamel, France. St. John's |
| List awards, grants: | |
| Running time (TV/Radio): | |
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Short explanation of the story and how it developed: Please consider this entry for the Feature News Category (Video) for the 2025 Atlantic Journalism Awards. Canada has two national war memorials — one in Ottawa, the nation’s capital, and the other in St. John’s, NL, erected prior to Confederation in memory of the Newfoundlanders who died during the First World War. Indeed, Newfoundland’s sacrifice during the Great War was massive, with one battle alone — Beaumont Hamel — resulting in the wiping out of almost the entire regiment. Of the 801 Newfoundlanders who went over the top on July 1st, 1914, only 68 reported for roll call the next day. The impact of such loss was felt in every outport and village, and resonates with every generation since. The coverage amounted to a whirlwind in which we were constantly on the move, carrying out dozens of interviews. As Newfoundlanders, we also had to manage our own emotions, standing on the gravesites where so many of our ancestors had paid the Ultimate Price. Ultimately, it’s hoped the coverage of the return of the Unknown Soldier served as a reminder to our audience of our monumental loss, and how we should never forget. |
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Resources of the newsroom (money and time) available to complete the story: In 2024 the remains of the Unknown Soldier were repatriated from the fields of northern France to St. John’s, an event covered from beginning to end by NTV reporter Ben Cleary, and cameraman Glenn Andrews. I’m submitting three stories with this nomination — coverage that began in France, and ended in St. John’s within a 72-hour timeframe. (Leading up to the event I also carried out extensive interviews, and research.) Glenn shot the video, while I wrote and edited the pieces in a hotel room in France — preparing the final piece aboard the plane, and then once we returned home. |
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