The Black Battalion: 1916-1920, Canada’s best kept military secret.”

BY PAUL JUNOR

The apology by the Canadian government to the descendants of the No.2 Construction battalion over 102 years after they were disbanded without recognition was historic. It took place on Saturday, July 9^th, 2022, in Truro, Nova Scotia. The work of this battalion has been documented in the book by Calvin W. Ruck titled, “The Black Battalion: 1916- 1920, Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret.”

Information about the apology can be seen on the Government of Canada’s website: pm.gc.ca. The No.2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) was created on July 5^th, 1916, in Pictou, Nova Scotia, during the First World War. After being relocated to Truro, Nova Scotia on September 9^th, 1916, over 600 men from across Canada as well as the United States and the West Indies were initially accepted into it.

The men of No. 2 Construction Battalion were denied serving in the front-line units due to the colour of their skin. On June 1^st, 2022. No.2 Construction Battalion was awarded the ‘France and Flanders,’ 1917-1’ Battle Honour, a distinguished military honour recognizing and paying tribute to their brave service in the Great War.

Prior to the official apology by the federal government, a community-led National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC) along with the Canadian Armed Forces engaged in six community consultations across Canada. 690 descendants of former members of No.2 Construction Battalion serve as volunteers, as well as community leaders and historians.

There were eight recommendations that resulted from the work of the NAAC which were accepted by the government. One of the significant recommendations was that Canada come together as a country to honour the No.2 Construction Battalion due to the fact that it is Black history of national significance.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in his speech, “For the blatant anti-Black hate and systemic racism that denied these men dignity in life and death, we are sorry. Only when the truths of the past are acknowledged can we begin to dress the wounds they created and build a better, more inclusive Canada for all.” He concludes, “The story of the No.2 Construction Battalion, and the stories of bravery, honour, and sacrifice of many other trailblazing Canadians, will play an important role in ensuring this horrible treatment never occurs again.”

Honourable Anita Anand (Minister of National Defence) states,

“The members of the No.2 Construction Battalion were discriminated against before, during, and after their service in the Great War. We are deeply sorry to all of the Battalion’s descendants and to the members of the Battalion who are no longer with us today. I hope that today’s apology will help recognize every Black Canadian who bravely served this country in times of war, and in the pursuit of peace. May today contribute to building a Canada that lives up to the ideals that the members of the Battalion fought so bravely to protect. We have more roads to travel, but we will keep walking that road together until we get this right.”

In many ways, this first and only all-Black battalion-sized formation in Canadian military history has left a lasting and indelible influence on Canada. Russel Grosse, Executive Director of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia states, “The brave men of No.2 Construction Battalion served with pride and valour, despite the harsh adversity they faced. These Black Canadians, having a long-standing presence in our country, felt the patriotic call at war time, but sadly faced obstacles due to the colour of their skin. Today, we remember and honour their important legacy, as this is a step toward racial equality in our country.”