Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 131 Joseph A. Parris 1899 - 1972 Born in Guysborough County, Joseph “Joe” Parris (centre) served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion alongside several family members, including brother William and cousin Seldon (second from left). Only 17 when he enlisted at New Glasgow, Parris served his country with great enthusiasm despite the prejudices of the day. Departing from England in 1917, the “Black Battalion” was attached to the Canadian Forestry Corps in France. Its forestry work, road and railway construction, and helping the wounded were essential to the Allied victory in the First World War. After the war Parris returned to Mulgrave, Nova Scotia, where he joined the local branch of the Canadian Legion. He passed away in 1972 and is laid to rest in St. Lawrence Catholic Cemetery in Mulgrave. Walter Pickup 1893 - 1917 Born at Granville Ferry, Nova Scotia, Walter Pickup came from a prominent family but like so many other sons and daughters from Annapolis County he enlisted in the Canadian Corps during the First World War. A graduate of Mount Allison University, Pickup served with the 14th Battalion, known as the “Royal Montreal Regiment.” He became a Captain and fought bravely in France, often in harsh conditions in the frontline trenches. He was wounded at the Somme in 1916 and killed at the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, one of Canada’s most significant and bloody victories. Two of Pickup’s older brothers also served in the war. Pickup is commemorated at Nine Elms Military Cemetery in France and at Stony Beach Cemetery in Granville Beach. Image: Black Cultural Centre for N.S. Image: Annapolis Heritage Society continued ... continued ...
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