Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 59 On 5 July 1916, the Department of Defence and Militia authorized the formation of No. 2 Construction Battalion. It was the largest Black unit in Canadian history. Its members continued the proud tradition of service to King and country that went back to the American Revolution and continued through the War of 1812 and the Rebellions of 1837–38 to the start of the First World War. But there were many obstacles: Black soldiers and communities faced racism both at home and overseas, despite their commitment to the war effort. The Fight to Enlist In August 1914, tens of thousands of men across Canada rushed to their local recruiting centre to enlist for service in the First World War. Many Black men tried to enlist as well but were rejected; some were told that this was a white man's war, while others were told that their services were not required. By the end of 1915, at least 200 Black volunteers had been rejected. This reflected the racism in Canada at the time. Many white men told recruiting officers and battalion commanding officers that they refused to serve with Black men. These rejections were unacceptable to the leaders of Black communities across Canada. They wrote to Militia Headquarters and the Governor-General to request that Black Canadians be allowed to enlist. They also questioned why they were being rejected. At the same time, senior Militia officials across Canada were also questioning Militia Headquarters in Ottawa, asking how Black men could be allowed to enlist. They too faced pressure from Black leaders as well as the refusal of many white men to serve with Black soldiers. An all Black infantry battalion was not an option. There were not enough Black men in Canada to man such a battalion and provide reinforcements in the face of heavy casualty rates at the front. Further, the British War Office refused to allow any Black units into combat on the Western Front (they feared that Black infantry units might use their training and experience against British authorities in the colonies). In April 1916, the chief of the general staff at Militia Headquarters found a solution. He proposed that a Black labour battalion be formed, labour being in very short supply and critical to support campaigns. The British approved the idea in May. No. 2 CONSTRUCTION BATTALION Recruitment Poster Recruitment poster for the No. 2 Construction Battalion. (courtesy Esther Clark Wright Archives at Acadia University/ 1900.237-WWI/31) continued ...
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