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THE BLACK BATTLION
Apology & Memorials
Pictou, Nova Scotia
A memorial for the No. 2 Construction Battalion in Pictou,NS was proposed in 1982 and unveiled in July 1993 near its original site at Market Wharf. In 1987, recognition for Market Wharf's historical significance was suggested, leading to its designation as a municipal historic property in 1991. The battalion was recognized as a national historic event in 1992, with a commemorative plaque added in 1993 and an updated interpretive panel unveiled in July 2022. Formed in 1916, the battalion was Canada's only Black battalion in WWI, comprised of Black men from Canada, the U.S., and the British West Indies, and the Government of Canada issued an apology for their mistreatment on July 9, 2022.
Market Wharf Memorial
Yarmouth War Memorial
A monument and plaque honouring the soldiers of the Battalion from Yarmouth were unveiled on 22 September 2023. Despite their service, they were barred from the trenches due to racism. Guest speaker Douglas Ruck emphasized that the monument serves as a reminder of the past and a beacon for the future. Dawolu Saul from Veterans Affairs Canada noted the unfair treatment the Battalion faced, stating that their skills were overlooked and the discrimination they endured is regrettable. Descendants of the soldiers participated in the unveiling in the coastal town.
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
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