As soon as the First World War ended, discussions began on how to honour Newfoundland and Labrador's war dead and it was felt that a national war memorial was needed. The Patriotic Association and the Great War Veterans' Association worked together to find a way to "give expression to its gratitude and respect for those who during the Great War served King and Empire". In 1920, these associations jointly recommended the building of both a national war monument and a school as memorials.
Memorial University College was established in 1925 as a living memorial to those who had lost their lives on active service during the First World War. It was located on Parade Street until it moved to the new campus on Elizabeth Avenue in 1961. The vision was that the memory of those who fought and died in the First World War would be honoured through education, by making the world a better place. The College became Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1949.
In light of the great loss suffered during the previous war, Newfoundland did not impose a draft during the Second World War. However many Newfoundlanders still volunteered. Of those recruits, 310 former students of the Memorial University College offered themselves for active service. Regrettably, 30 of these students lost their lives.
Memorial University was later rededicated to include the war dead of the Second World War. A plaque was unveiled by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal, Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment on 21 September 1964 on the 50th anniversary of the formation of the regiment. The plaque was erected by the Newfoundland Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.
