World War II

Unlike World War One, the Second World War had a physical presence at Elliston. In fact, the community was home to a Radio Detachment located at Mark’s Path during World War Two. Its purpose was to monitor the area for signs of a possible German invasion that many believed was an immediate threat. The threat was so real that military personnel were seen at Sandy Cove beach filling sandbags for use at the station.

Newfoundlanders, Americans and Canadians were concerned that the Germans were going to get a foothold in North America. Newfoundland would have made an excellent base to launch such an invasion, and there is at least one case of a U-boat (Submarine) that put ashore an automated weather unit to relay information on the coast of Labrador. Initially, the Mark’s Path site was under the control of American personnel however, in November 1944, they were relieved by Canadian forces. The site was closed on October 1st, 1945. See a Fisherman's Advocate Article about this base by Clicking Here.

Additional photographs are available under the “Photo Archive” tab or Click Here.

Unlike in WWI Newfoundland did not send an infantry regiment overseas. Rather a unit was formed within British Royal Artillery, which grouped all of its recruits from Newfoundland and Labrador into two regiments named for their country. The 166th (Newfoundland) Field Regiment served in Britain, North Africa, and Italy; the 59th (Newfoundland) Heavy Regiment defended England’s coastline for three years before fighting in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Before the war ended, some 2,343 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians fought with the Royal Artillery. Others served in other branches of the military and also with the Newfoundland Overseas Forestry Unit (NOFU).