No. 2 Construction Battalion, the largest Black military unit in Canadian history, formed on July 5, 1916.  During a period when racism was deeply entrenched in both Canadian society and the military. The formation of the battalion was a direct response to the exclusion of many Black Canadians from the war effort, despite the patriotic fervor that swept the country at the onset of World War I. CLICK HERE FOR MORE about the powerful history

The first and only Canadian battalion composed entirely of Black soldiers. Serving as a non-combatant unit tasked with labouring tasks essential to the war effort. The battalion headquarters was initially in Pictou, Nova Scotia, and later moved to Truro. Image from Black Soldiers in the 19th Century

No. 2 Construction Battalion was the only Canadian battalion composed of black soldiers to serve in the First World War, but its soldiers were originally unable to enlist. The Canadian government issued a formal apology for segregating the No. 2 Construction Battalion in 2022.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

“Your bravery, dedication, and selflessness are an inspiration to us all. 

Thank you for your service and for being a true hero.” 

• Read how the  No. 2 Construction Battalion, changed history.

Since before the First World War, blacks served the British and French crowns with loyalty, honour, and respect.  So it was a surprise to many blacks that when the war started in 1914, their enlistment was not entertained. The battalion was composed of approximately 600 men, mostly from across Canada, but also from the United States and the Caribbean. While the majority of the unit was Black, all senior officers—except the Chaplain, Captain William Andrew White—were white.

Needless to say, sayings such as “We don’t want a checkerboard army,” and “This is a white man’s war,” devastated many blacks. The struggle for human rights was going to have to be raised for black men to have the right to die for their own country. Excurp from  2019 youth interview with Mr. Ken Fells.

Now, this also played out for Southeast Asian, Chinese and Japanese men.  At any rate, the powers knew that Quebec was against conscription. So when they witnessed so many white, English soldiers coming home dead and dismembered, blacks were permitted to enlist. To make things difficult, they were placed as far away from major centres in Pictou as possible. This was the kind of racism that existed, and even though many blacks served gallantly with distinguished service, they went through the same thing during the next Great War.

To learn more, click here

• No. 2 Construction Battalion, 
• The Canadian Encyclopedia
• http://www.blackhistorycanada.ca
• Remembering Canada’s Black soldiers-

Posted Jan 30, 2019, updated & new links Nov 2025, enjoy