Did you know ?... Notes on the history of Red Cross in NL
Outlined below are examples of Red Cross’ historical beginnings in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Did you know, from November 1947 – November 1948, we were the Newfoundland Branch of the British Red Cross Society? The following year, Newfoundland joined Confederation, and we became the Newfoundland Division of the Canadian Red Cross Society.
Did you know, that the Newfoundland and Labrador Red Cross ran a Hostel for people/patients from outside St. John’s, providing clean and comfortable accommodations for the period awaiting hospital treatment, receiving out-patients’ treatment or awaiting transportation home following treatment? The hostel was called Devon House Hostel.
Do you know where Devon House is in St. John’s? It’s the building on 59 Duckworth Street…it used to be the location of the Red Cross Hostel. It is now home to Devon House Clay Studio/Gallery/Gift Shop, Newfoundland and Labrador Crafts Development Association.
Did you know, the first Red Cross Outpost Hospital in Newfoundland and Labrador was the Carbonear Red Cross Community Hospital, opened in October 1957?
Did you know, that In 1958, Red Cross opened its first Branches in Labrador…one at Red Bay and the other at Happy Valley?
On December 19, 1951, residents of Stephenville Crossing were affected by a major flood. Members of the Stephenville Crossing Red Cross Branch provided food, clothing and shelter.
In the tenth Annual Report (1959), the President’s Report stated, “February brought us our first major disaster when St. John’s was hit by a 130 mile per hour gale and the landslide at the Lower Battery caused the death of five people”. Red Cross established an emergency feeding centre at Red Cross headquarters and arranged for emergency lodging for those left homeless.
Did you know, that in August 1959, Red Cross Branches in Botwood, Grand Falls and Bishop’s Falls responded to the evacuation of Baie Verte due to a forest fire – they assisted 345 of the 800 people?
Did you know, on August 18, 1986, 150 Tamil refugees were stranded off the cost of Newfoundland? A fisherman from St. Mary’s Bay brought the refugees ashore and Red Cross staff and volunteers swung into action providing arrangements for accommodations, food and clothing. Red Cross was also requested to be the official spokesperson on behalf of the refugees to deal with international media.
