Apology for all-Black World War I battalion welcomed in Windsor-Essex

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The Canadian federal government’s confirmation that it will be apologizing for an all-Black battalion in the First World War is welcomed by Windsor-Essex African Canadian historian Elise Harding-Davis.

But the longtime historian of African-Canadian culture hopes the apology will include some discussion on what can be done to redress the past.

“I certainly think it’s been a long time coming. It’s been 105 years,” Harding-Davis said.

“It’s absolutely time. And I’d also like to see what outgrowth there will be. Are they going to give grants? Are the descendants going to be reparated? What exactly are they going to do with this apology?”

On March 28, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, Harjit Sajjan, announced that the government intends to formally apologize for the treatment of No. 2 Construction Battalion — the only official Black military unit in Canadian history.

The segregated battalion was formed in 1916 specifically to accommodate Black citizens who wanted to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force — but were not allowed to serve alongside whites in the existing divisions.

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Designated for a non-combat role, the No. 2 Construction Battalion had more than 600 volunteers when it was deployed overseas in France.

Harding-Davis said historical records show more than 125 of those volunteers were from the Windsor-Essex area.

“This was a group of men who had to fight to fight,” Harding-Davis said. “The systemic racism of the time painted them as cowardly, unable to take command, unable to use weapons appropriately.”

“These were men who wanted to give their all for king and country.”

As its name signified, the No. 2 Construction Battalion was tasked with building and maintaining the roads and bridges needed to transport lumber and other supplies to the front lines of the war.

The battalion was created in July 1916 and headquartered in Pictou, Nova Scotia.

In March 1917, the battalion was transported to Liverpool, England, then deployed in eastern France to work with the Forestry Corps.

A detachment of No. 2 Construction Battalion was sent to the front line during a German offensive in the spring of 1918, but the battalion suffered no casualties under enemy fire.

Following the end of the First World War in November 1918, No. 2 Construction Battalion returned to Canada in early 1919, and officially disbanded in 1920.

Mary-Katherine Whelan, curator and administrator of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum, said the existence of the No. 2 Construction Battalion was due to the perseverance of its members.

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“They were initially turned away from enlisting,” Whelan noted. “They had to protest and make appeals to serve.”

Although the First World War was the bloodiest conflict in the country’s history, killing an estimated 61,000 Canadians, those who comprised the No. 2 Construction Battalion were intent on participating.

“It’s a good question why they wanted to join so badly,” Whelan reflected. “I think they basically wanted to be seen as the Canadian citizens they were. It was a way to integrate themselves into society.”

“They had the same level of patriotism towards Canada and the British Crown as anyone else. They wanted to make that sacrifice.”

In the collection of the Amherstburg Freedom Museum is a historic photo of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, showing an assembly of hundreds of Black men in uniform.

Darrell Samson, Associate Minister of National Defence and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs, said that despite what No. 2 Construction Battalion gave of to their country, “they were treated differently based solely on the colour of their skin.”

Anita Vandenbeld, parliamentary secretary to the Minister of National Defence, said racism has no place in the armed forces, or in society.

“The story of the No. 2 Construction Battalion is about courage and resilience, and shows us that racism and discrimination must be addressed at every level,” she said.

A date has yet to be set for the issuance of the apology. The Department of National Defence said an event will take place following consultation with descendants of battalion members and the community.