Ruck, “The Black Battalion 1916-1920 Canada’s Best Kept Military Secret” When World War I broke out, “ Throughout the country, from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, large numbers of Black volunteers were being rejected strictly on the basis of our colour.” Calvin W. It was their grandchildren and great-grandchildren who enlisted to fight for Canada in World War I and World War II. Many of the pioneers that migrated to the British colonies beginning in 1858 were young men and women and young families. 2 Construction Battalion and their Descendants Roll of Honour: World War I and World War II Veterans World War I: Canada Rejects Black Volunteers While they did initially have the support of Governor Douglas, this support slowly eroded. Undaunted, they met with Governor Douglas to offer their services as a volunteer militia unit. In 1859 when the volunteer Fire Department was being created in Victoria, several Black men volunteered to serve but they were rejected by the white men organizing the department. The first recognized military unit in BC is The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps.
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