Commemorating Black History: No. 2 Construction Battalion
They served with
distinction, and they were willing to risk their lives to preserve the
very rights and freedoms that weren’t always afforded to them before,
during and after the First World War. From the unit’s formation in 1916
until its disbandment in 1920, the members of No. 2 Construction
Battalion—the largest all-Black battalion-sized unit in Canadian
military history—persevered in the face of anti-Black racism to provide
vital support to Canada’s war effort, by assisting Canadian Forestry
Corps (CFC) lumber operations in France.
This 99.99% pure silver coin honours the brave men who served in No. 2
Construction Battalion and brings to light their often-overlooked
contribution in the First World War. Despite racial prejudice, the
members of No. 2 Construction Battalion persevered in their
determination to serve, and a century later, their legacy remains an
inspiration.
During the first two years of the First World War, hundreds of Black
Canadians eagerly attempted to enlist with the Canadian Expeditionary
Force, but most were turned away because they were Black. Still, Black
Canadians and white supporters pressed officials to allow Black
enlistment. When Britain requested more labour units from Canada in
1916, the decision was made to establish a segregated labour battalion.
No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed on July 5, 1916, and was
initially headquartered in Pictou, N.S. before moving to Truro, N.S. On
March 28, 1917, the battalion sailed from Halifax aboard the SS
Southland bound for Liverpool, England. No. 2 Construction Battalion
arrived on April 7, 1917. At this time, the unit was reorganized as a
labour company and renamed No. 2 Canadian Construction Company because
it did not have enough men to be considered a battalion. On May 17, the
unit was deployed to France’s mountainous Jura Department, where the men
assisted the Canadian Forestry Corps with lumber and logging
operations, transportation and railroad construction, water and power
supply, and road maintenance.
While a small number of the soldiers of the battalion saw combat while
serving in other units, the unit as a whole did not. Nevertheless, the
battalion’s contributions to combat operations—and to the proud
tradition of military service by Black Canadians—cannot be understated.
In January 1919, most of the men of No. 2 Construction Battalion
returned to Canada, and the battalion was officially disbanded in
September 1920.
No. 2 Construction Battalion recruited men from all over Canada. Many of
its members were from Nova Scotia, others hailed from the United States
and the British West Indies. All but one of the unit’s officers were
white: its chaplain, Rev. Dr. W. Andrew White, held the rank of captain
and was one of the few Black officers in the Canadian military during
the war.
Not all Black Canadians were turned away from recruiting offices during
the First World War. No. 2 Construction Battalion (also known as the
Black Battalion) was the largest of two all-Black units of the Canadian
Expeditionary Force (CEF), other Black Canadians in smaller numbers
served in other units. Black Canadians also participated in all of
Canada’s major battles in the First World War, including Ypres, Vimy
Ridge, Hill 70, Passchendaele and the 100 Days Campaign.
On July 9, 2022, the Government of Canada issued a formal apology for
the racism and discrimination endured by members of No. 2 Construction
Battalion.
Designed by Canadian artist Kwame Delfish, the coin’s reverse honours
the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
(CEF), and its contributions to Canada’s war efforts during the First
World War. At the centre of the design is a member of Canada’s largest
all-Black battalion-sized military unit, and an enlarged view of No. 2
Construction Battalion cap badge appears to the left of him. Behind the
Black soldier and to the right, members of the battalion are shown
marching in a parade prior to deployment in March 1917. On the other
side, the landscape represents the Jura region of France, where the
battalion assisted with logging and lumber operations, and with building
a railroad that, on this coin, symbolizes the journey and hardships
endured by Black Canadian soldiers more than a century ago. The obverse
features a maple leaf pattern and the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by
Susanna Blunt. The obverse also bears a special marking that includes
four pearls symbolizing the four effigies that have graced Canadian
coins and the double date of her reign.
Specifications:
Mintage: 5,500
Composition: 99.99% pure silver
Weight: 31.39 g
Diameter: 38 m
Face Value: $20
Finish: Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Kwame Delfish (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)Packaging: Coin comes encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box. CoA included
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