OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- No. 2 Construction
Battalion, the first and only all-Black battalion-sized unit in
Canadian military history, is being remembered on the 2023 issue of
the Royal Canadian Mint's ongoing Commemorating Black History
series. In the opening years of the First World War, hundreds of
Black Canadians eagerly tried to enlist for Canada, but racism prevented many from joining
their white compatriots on the battlefields overseas. In 1916,
persistent lobbying and a request from the British for labour
battalions provided the opportunity for a Black unit to be created.
No. 2 Construction battalion would serve alongside the Canadian
Forestry Corps in the forests of France. They helped with lumber and milling
operations, including the loading and transportation of finished
timber by rail. This timber was vital to the Allied war effort,
lining trenches, supporting observation posts and for the
construction of aircraft in France. A few battalion members even fought
and suffered casualties while serving with other Canadian
Expeditionary Force units. The battalion returned to Canada in early 1919 and was disbanded in
1920.
After much research, writing, story telling and advocacy,
descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion and their allies
successfully campaigned for a formal apology for the racism and
discrimination endured by battalion members, which the Right
Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence,
delivered before descendants assembled in Truro, Nova Scotia on July 9, 2022.
Released in conjunction with the annual observance of Black
History Month, the 2023 $20 Fine
Silver Coin – Commemorating Black History honours the service and
sacrifice of the proud members of No. 2 Construction Battalion. It
is available as of today.
"At the outbreak of the First World War, many Black men felt the
call to serve their country. Many were rejected due to
anti-Black racism. After years of lobbying, No. 2 Construction
Battalion was authorized in 1916," said Russell Grosse, Executive Director of the Black
Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia.
"These brave men had to fight for the right to serve, they provided
valuable logistical support to the frontlines. This coin
commemorates the remarkable legacy of No. 2 and builds on the
formal Apology that was given by the Government of Canada this past summer to ensure that this
important history is remembered."
"Those who step forward to serve our country deserve to be
honoured. But for far too long—and for no reason but the colour of
their skin—the men of the No. 2 Construction Battalion did not
receive the recognition that their service to Canada deserved," said the Honourable Chrystia
Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "We have a
responsibility to remember their sacrifice, and this coin will help
ensure that more Canadians learn about and pay tribute to those who
fought for the right to so bravely serve in uniform."
"Despite facing discrimination before, during, and after their
service in the Great War, the men of No. 2 Construction Battalion
bravely served our country. We are forever in their debt," said the
Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence. "Together
with Canada's official apology to
the Battalion's members and descendants last summer, this coin will
commemorate their remarkable contributions and help raise awareness
of the Battalion. Today, we reaffirm our gratitude to these
courageous men, and vow to never forget their service to
Canada."
The reverse design of this 99.99% pure silver coin, by artist
Kwame Delfish, features a soldier of
No. 2 Construction Battalion, standing at attention between two
railroad tracks. His battalion's cap badge is prominently displayed
on his right, adjacent to a landscape of France's Jura region, where the battalion
assisted with logging and building a railroad. To his left,
battalion comrades marching in a parade prior to their March 1917 deployment to Europe.
"The existence and accomplishments of the men of No. 2
Construction Battalion is another part of Canadian history that is
to be acknowledged, celebrated and honoured -forever," said artist
Kwame Delfish. "I hope I was able to
capture these honourable men in a way that represents their
strength and resilience, while also raising awareness about the
important role that No. 2 Construction Battalion had in the
Canadian armed forces."
The obverse of the coin features an updated obverse design that
will appear on 2023 collector and bullion coins until a new
permanent obverse is adopted on Canadian coins. The
Susanna Blunt-designed effigy of
Queen Elizabeth II, set against a
repeating maple leaf-patterned background, is accompanied by a
special marking consisting of a vertical inscription of the dates
"1952" and "2022", separated by four pearls symbolizing the four
effigies that have graced Canadian coins throughout the
reign.
"The Royal Canadian Mint is proud to continue supporting the
national celebration of Black History Month with a beautiful silver
coin that shines a much-needed spotlight on the story of No. 2
Construction Battalion to life," said Marie
Lemay, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "Each
new coin adds a piece to the incredible mosaic that is Canada's history and we are pleased that we
can permanently record the honourable achievements of the men of
No. 2 Construction Battalion on a beautiful silver coin that can be
passed down from generation to generation."
Limited to a mintage of 5,500, the 2023 $20 Fine Silver Coin Commemorating Black History
- The No. 2 Construction Battalion retails for $99.95. This new collectible may be ordered as of
today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada, 1-800-268-6468 in the US, or at
www.mint.ca. It will also be available at the Royal Canadian Mint's
boutiques in Ottawa and
Winnipeg, at participating Canada
Post outlets, and through the Mint's global network of dealers and
distributors.
Images of this coin are available here.
About the Royal Canadian
Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for
the minting and distribution of Canada's circulation coins. The Mint is one of
the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide
range of specialized, high quality coinage products and related
services on an international scale. For more information on the
Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca. Follow
the Mint on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Media are asked to contact: Alex
Reeves, Senior Manager, Public Affairs, Telephone:
613-884-6370, reeves@mint.ca
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