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No. 2 Construction Battalion

Two stands in the lobby of Chatham-Kent's Civic Center. On holds a picture of the Number 2 Battalion, a photo of and letter from Arthur Alexander to the Minister of Militia & Defence asking why Black men are not able to enlist, and a response from the Minister's office saying that decisions about who to enlist are made by local Officers. A second stand holds a list of name of Black World War 1 veterans from Chatham-Kent. A picture of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, correspondence between Arthur Alexander and the Ministry of Militia & Defence, and the names of Black WWI Veterans from Chatham-Kent is currently on display in the Civic Center lobby.

Have you heard of the No. 2 Construction Battalion?


Thanks to the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, and Ontario Heritage Trust, you can see a photo of the group and the names of local Black WWI Veterans in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Civic Center Lobby.


On July 9th, 2022, the Canadian Minister of National Defence will offer a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the Battalion for the racism and discrimination endured by members before, during, and after their service to Canada. To watch the event live, visit: www.no2-cef.ca


The No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed in WWI and served from 1916-1920. It was the largest Black military unit in Canadian history. Although the headquarters for the Battalion were in Nova Scotia, there was a detachment that operated in Windsor and many local Black men were a part of the Battalion.


As they tried tA picture of Arthur Alexander is hung above a letter he wrote to the Minister of Militia and Defence in 1914 asking why Black men were not able to enrol in the Canadian militia. A letter in response from the Ministry's office stated that the selection of Officers is entirely in the hands of Commanding Officers.Arthur Alexander (pictured) wrote a letter to the Minister of Militia & Defence in 1914 to ask why Black men were not able to enlist in the Canadian militia.o volunteer for the Canadian militia, many Black men were turned away due to prevailing anti-Black racism. Despite the racism they experienced, the men continued to advocate for their participation in War efforts.


In 1916, the Department of Defence and Militia established a segregated, Black labour Battalion that supported construction and labour needs related to the War. In 1917, the Battalion sailed to England with 595 men, most of whom went on to build and maintain water systems, roads, and railroads and take part in logging for lumber used in trenches, observation posts, bridges, walkways, and even aircrafts.


Despite the anti-Black racism they experienced, the men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion made significant contributions to the War effort. But, these efforts went unrecognized for a long time.


In 1992, the Government of Canada recognized the formation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion as a national historic event and raised a granite monument commemorating the Battalion in Nova Scotia. Canada post issued a commemorative stamp depicting the Battalion in 2016. This weekend, the Ministry of Defence will issue a formal apology to relatives and descendants of members of the No. 2 Battalion for the racism and discrimination they endured.



Stop in at the Municipality of Chatham-Kent's Civic Center and see the picture of the No. 2 Battalion and the names of Black WWI Veterans from Chatham-Kent!


For more information and local Black History, visit the Buxton National Historic Site & Museum, the Chatham-Kent Black Historical Society & Black Mecca Museum, or Ontario Heritage Trust's Historic Site dedicated to Josiah Henson (new name coming soon!).