• Login/ out
  • My Account
  • Register

Top Menu
Shop Menu

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
  • CONTACT US
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
  • MEET OUR TEAM
    • History
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
  • Deal of the Day
  • Blowout Specials
  • Unique Deals
  • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Just Released Products
  • Auction
  • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
  • Canada Decimal Coins
  • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
  • Canada Paper Money
  • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
  • Perth & New Zealand Mints
  • United States Decimal & Sets
  • World Coins and Paper Money
  • Coin Supplies
  • Mega Specials
  • Gift Ideas
  • Our Ebay
  • Bullion Corner

  • HOME
  • SHOP
    • Deal of the Day
    • Blowout Specials
    • Unique Deals
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Just Released Products
    • Auction
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Maritime Coins & Bank Tokens
    • Perth & New Zealand Mints
    • United States Decimal & Sets
    • World Coins and Paper Money
    • Coin Supplies
    • Mega Specials
    • Gift Ideas
    • Our Ebay
  • SELL TO US
  • AUCTION
    • Consign with us
    • Current Auction
    • Featured Items
  • INFO
    • Canada’s 150th
    • Contact Us
    • Shipping Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Sale
    • FAQ
    • Days Closed
  • About Us
    • History
    • MEET OUR TEAM
  • COLLECTORS CORNER
  • BULLION CORNER
Contact Us| Login/Out | My Account | New User
 
View Cart
Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
Shopper Approved | Colonial Acres Coins PayPal | Colonial Acres Coins MasterCard | Colonial Acres Coins Visa | Colonial Acres Coins
No. 2 Construction Battalion CoinNo. 2 Construction Battalion CoinNo. 2 Construction Battalion Coin

Royal Canadian Mint’s Celebrating Black History Series: No. 2 Construction Battalion Coin

March 27, 2023 by Colonial Acres Coins

It was only through determination and perseverance that Canadian Black men were granted the opportunity to serve their country during the First World War. The No. 2 Construction Battalion was the largest Black battalion-sized unit in the history of the Canadian military. A new series of commemorative Canadian coins pays tribute to their contribution to the Allied victory in World War I and to Black Canadians’ proud tradition of military service.

How Did the No. 2 Construction Battalion Come To Be?

When war was declared in August 1914, thousands of men from across Canada attempted to enlist for military service, including many Black Canadians. Most Black men who volunteered for service during the First World War were rejected. Often, they were not given a reason but were merely told that their services weren’t required. Others were informed that the conflict was a “white man’s war.”

On the one hand, the Militia Headquarters in Ottawa knew that some white men would refuse to serve with Black soldiers. On the other hand, leaders of Black communities across Canada wrote letters expressing dissatisfaction with the exclusion of Black men from service. There were not enough Black men in Canada for an all-Black infantry battalion, and the British War Office didn’t want Black soldiers in combat (though some Black Canadians did participate in major battles) for fear it would lead to unrest in the colonies after the war.

As the war raged on, labour to support campaigns was in critically short supply. At Militia Headquarters, the chief of the general staff proposed a Black labour battalion that would address both the shortage and the requests that Black men be allowed to enlist. In May 1916, the War Office approved the idea.

What Did the No. 2 Construction Battalion Do During the War?

The No. 2 Construction Battalion consisted of 595 enlisted men, all but seven of whom were Black, and 19 officers, all but one of whom was white. The lone Black officer was Reverend William Andrew White, who had the rank of captain. The battalion set out across the Atlantic in March 1917, landing first in England. The War Office initially did not send them to France as a battalion because their numbers were short of the requisite 1,049 members. Now renamed the No. 2 Canadian Construction Company, they were sent to France in June 1917, where they assisted the Canadian Forestry Corps in the Jura Mountains.

What Is the Significance of the Coin’s Design?

The image on the coin’s reverse was designed by Canadian artist Kwame Delfish. At the forefront, it features a Black soldier representing the entire unit. To the soldier’s right (the viewer’s left) is an enlarged image of the badge that battalion members wore on their hats. In the background are battalion members in the Jura forest assisting with lumber and logging operations. To the soldier’s left (the viewer’s right) are battalion members prior to deployment marching in a parade.

Battalion members are also shown building a railroad, which was part of their duties when they were deployed in France. However, the railroad also has a symbolic meaning. It represents the journey that Black Canadians had to travel to be able to enlist in the Armed Forces and the struggles they faced along the way.

Celebrate the Accomplishments of the No. 2 Construction Battalion

February is Black History Month, a time to remember the accomplishments of Black Canadians and the hardships they have suffered under racism, both in institutions and society at large. The example of the No. 2 Construction Battalion is an inspiration but, as is all too often the case for Black Canadian history, its story rarely gets told. We are proud to offer Royal Canadian Mint coins for sale that tell the stories of Black Canadians and their contributions to our history. This coin is currently available at Colonial Acres.

Filed Under: Royal Canadian Mint

SHOP NOW!

Categories

  • Bullion Coins
  • Canada Paper Money
  • Canada Rolls
  • Canadian Coins
  • Coin Supplies
  • Jewellery
  • News
  • Royal Canadian Mint
  • Superman Coins
  • USA Coins
  • World Coins

Blog Archive

  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017

Recent Posts

  • 2023 Special Wrap Coin Rolls Commemorating The Queens Reign
  • Collectable Coins That Feature Canadian Spring Activities And Sights
  • 2023 St. Edwards Crown Coin Released In Gold And Silver
  • Colonial Acres Shares About The American Innovation $1 Coin Program
  • GM and Chevrolet Logo Silver Bullion Rounds
    footer-logo

    991 Victoria Street North
    Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
    N2B 3C7

    Toll Free: 1-888-255-4565

    Tel: 519-579-9302

    Fax: 519-340-1381

    info@colonialacres.com

    MENU

    • Home
    • Sell To Us
    • Auction
    • Collectors Corner
    • Bullion Corner

    ABOUT US

    • History
    • Meet Our Team

    SHOP

    • Royal Canadian Mint
    • Canada Decimal Coins
    • Canada Paper Money
    • Gold, Silver & Copper Bullion
    • Canada Rolls 1960 to Date
    • Deals on Decimal & Paper Money
    • Jewellery

    Read Our Blogs

    STORE HOURS

    Mon - Fri: 9:30am - 4:30pm
    Sat: Click here to see Saturday hours
    Sun: Closed

    MORE INFO

    Contact Us
    Shipping Information
    Terms of Sale
    Privacy Policy

    Facebook Icon | Colonial Acres Coins Click for the BBB Business Review of this TBD in Kitchener ON
    Copyright © 2013 Colonial Acres Coins. All Rights Reserved. Built with Volusion.