Members of the No. 2 Development Battalion, recognized for his or her resilience and unwavering dedication throughout occasions of adversity and racism, had been celebrated on the annual Remembrance Ceremony held in Nova Scotia. Minister Fraser, on behalf of Ministers Ginette Petitpas Taylor and Invoice Blair, introduced an funding exceeding $124,000 for 5 new initiatives in Nova Scotia. These initiatives are designed to reinforce schooling, remembrance, and the commemoration of the battalion and their households.
The funding will assist the creation of a brand new memorial, growth of displays, group of group occasions, and financing of analysis initiatives. These endeavors are devoted to preserving the reminiscence and legacy of the No. 2 Development Battalion, acknowledged as the primary and solely all-Black battalion-sized formation in Canadian navy historical past.
The ceremony coincides with a big second of recognition following the historic apology issued by the Prime Minister and Minister of Nationwide Defence in July 2022 to descendants of the battalion. Main as much as this apology, the Division of Nationwide Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) collaborated with the Nationwide Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC), which outlined eight suggestions to make sure the significant affect of the apology on descendants of the No. 2 Development Battalion.
Taylor underscored the contributions of the battalion, stating, “Throughout occasions of warfare, battle, and peace, Canadians have answered the decision to serve their nation. The sacrifices made by members of the No. 2 Development Battalion and their households have been egregiously neglected.” She emphasised that by these initiatives, the federal government goals to foster recognition and deepen understanding of the challenges confronted by many Black Canadians who served amidst discrimination throughout the First World Warfare.
Blair added, “Members of the No. 2 Development Battalion, together with their households and descendants, rightfully deserve acknowledgment for the sacrifices they made in service to Canada.”
Established on July 5, 1916, as a part of the Canadian Expeditionary Drive (CEF), the No. 2 Development Battalion, often known as the Black Battalion, made important contributions throughout World Warfare I. Regardless of their pivotal function, the unit was disbanded on September 15, 1920, with out ceremony or official recognition for his or her service to Canada.
For the fiscal 12 months 2024-25, DND/CAF has earmarked $250,000 in devoted funding to deal with one of many NAAC’s suggestions. This funding, supplied by Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership Program (CPP), goals to broaden alternatives for schooling, remembrance, and honoring of the No. 2 Development Battalion.
As well as, DND/CAF has dedicated a further $2 million over the following 4 years to the CPP, additional supporting commemorative initiatives aimed toward honoring the enduring legacy of the No. 2 Development Battalion.
