Tuesday marked the 100th anniversary of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s first and last segregated black military unit.
The No. 2 Construction Battalion played an important part in both World Wars, but before going abroad to serve they first had to overcome a battle here at home.
“They fought to break down the walls of prejudice and discrimination to be considered equal, to be able to serve their country in a time of great need,” says Brig.-Gen. Carl Turenne.
Under pressure from politicians and the black community, and with manpower starting to become a problem, on July 5, 1916 the Militia Council authorized the formation of a black construction battalion commanded by white officers.
Many refused the post, but an engineer from River John, N.S., named Lt.-Col. Daniel H. Sutherland, stepped up to take command.
“My grandfather would be so excited and proud,” says Mary Beth Sutherland, Lt.-Col Sutherland’s granddaughter. “He did write Ottawa over the years and tried to receive recognition, he felt his men were awesome they had done such a tremendous job.”
Now, 100 years later, Sutherland and his men are being remembered and recognized.
“He would be really proud,” says David Downey, son of George A. Downey. “I think of all the things he did, all the people he helped around the city of Halifax. He wasn't a selfish man, he was a care giving man, he helped everybody.”
“He fought for the 2nd battalion to be brought about and for black people to be able to fight in the war,” says Holly White-Rodden, William A. White’s granddaughter. “He was first generation born free. His parents were both slaves. He came up from Virginia to Canada to go to university at Acadia. He was the second black person to go to Acadia and I think the first to graduate. He just had such a sense within himself that I am a free man. I am a person first and he wanted that for everybody and the right to be a full person, to be able to do anything that he felt called to do.”
The story of Canada's first and last segregated black military unit is full of heroic acts.
“He was a great man of valour, integrity, and love for his country, family, and community,” says Marie Francis, Jeremiah Jones’ granddaughter. “It’s significant because, in the Great War, World War I, he single handedly captured a German machine gun nest and marched the Germans into the front lines. They were pinned down by this German machine nest and my grandfather single handedly again went behind the lines, behind the nest and brought them to his leader and said ‘is this gun any use to you?’ So as children and a community we looked at him as a great hero.”
The ancestors of those who served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion say they are pleased the unit’s devotion to country and community will live on in future generations.
“I just feel this whole welling of pride, something that I certainly want my children to continue to know, my grandchildren to continue,” says Sylvia Parris, Joseph A Parris’ daughter. “That if there is a cause that is righteous you may have to rise above things that aren't fair, but when you know what justice is and the importance of fighting for that, he demonstrated for us the courage to do that and I think we need to do that too.”
Another commemoration ceremony will be held Saturday, July 9, beginning with an honour parade along Pictou's Caladh Avenue at 10:30 a.m., with a ceremony at the deCoste Centre.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Marie Adsett
