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On the eve of a long-sought federal government apology, the Amherstburg Freedom Museum is presenting framed photographs of the No. 2 Construction Battalion to local Legion branches for display.
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The No. 2 was an all-Black unit formed in July 1916 and sent overseas during the First World War to build and maintain roads and bridges needed to transport supplies to the front lines. According to local historical records, more than 125 Black men from the local area volunteered for deployment with the battalion.
The Amherstburg Freedom Museum was to present a photograph of No. 2 Construction Battalion to the Royal Canadian Legion’s Metropolitan Branch 594 on Tuesday night for future display, part of an effort to bring attention to often-unrecognized Black veterans.
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The federal government on July 9 will be issuing an apology to the descendants of the segregated battalion’s members, who were subjected to racism and discrimination. The No. 2, officially disbanded in 1920, was created specifically for Black Canadians, who were not allowed to serve alongside whites in existing divisions.
