This article is over 5 years old and may contain outdated information.

History

New stamp honours black Canadian First World War battalion

Stamp honours the No. 2 Construction Battalion, a predominantly Black unit that paved the way for Canadians of all races to serve their country in conflict.
  • Feb 03, 2016
  • 329 words
  • 2 minutes
Canada Post's new stamp honouring the No. 2 Construction Battalion Expand Image
Advertisement

When Canada went to war in 1914, black Canadians stepped up to join the fight but were usually turned away due to racial prejudice. That changed in 1916 when, facing a manpower shortage, the government finally allowed black Canadians to enlist. The result was the No. 2 Construction Battalion, a predominantly black unit that paved the way for Canadians of all races to serve their country in conflict.

The courage and determination of the battalion is immortalized in a new stamp from Canada Post, unveiled February 3rd in honour of Black History Month.

The stamp features an archival photograph of some of the unit’s members against a backdrop of tall conifers. The No. 2 Construction Battalion felled trees in a mountainous region of France and milled lumber that was used to reinforce trenches and repair railways and roads that supplied the front.

Working days were long, conditions were harsh and the unit’s members still endured segregation overseas. All of the battalion’s commanding officers were white, save one: the Reverend William White, a descendent of slaves from Virginia and a distinguished graduate of Acadia University who vocally opposed segregation in Nova Scotia. As the unit’s chaplain, White was given the rank of Honorary Captain, becoming one of the Army’s few Black officers.

“The Battalion’s creation is a story of persistence in the face of adversity,” said Judy Foote, Minister of Public Services and Procurements, responsible for Canada Post Corporation.

Deepak Chopra, President and CEO of Canada Post, added, “[The Battalion’s] determination to serve and their contribution to the war effort were an important step on the journey to racial equality in this country.”

The stamp is available in booklets of 10 and available in the Canada Post shop.

Advertisement

Are you passionate about Canadian geography?

You can support Canadian Geographic in 3 ways:

Related Content

York Redoubt, near the mouth of the Halifax Harbour in Nova Scotia

History

Parks Canada places commemorating the First World War

Sites across Canada honouring the war

  • 1412 words
  • 6 minutes

History

New art exhibitions explore the First World War’s historical significance

Not all is fair in love and war, but the love of war art is clear in two new exhibits opening today at the

  • 647 words
  • 3 minutes

History

Who won the War?

Soldiers, descendants of Loyalists and history buffs recreate a battle to demonstrate why the War of 1812 is still important today.

  • 4078 words
  • 17 minutes
teachers caring for students sick with the Spanish Flu

History

The outbreak and its aftermath

The little-known story of the 1918 Spanish Flu and how we're preparing for the next great pandemic

  • 3183 words
  • 13 minutes