40
Artist depiction of Black Soldier Pioneer Field Engineer - no 'Living History' at Fort Mississauga20th Century
Unknown
Credits:Norval Johnson Heritage Centre
41
Discrimination in the Military during the Modern EraThroughout much of the 1800's, numerous Canadians played significant roles in military operations. One very notable Canadian was a sailor, William Edward Hall. Hall was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1857. Others included medical doctors who trained in Toronto and joined the Union Army to bring the last vestiges of slavery in United States to an end. Jeremiah Jones was responsible for capturing a machine gun nest during the First World War. The Coloured Corps were called out to end religious conflict in the St Catharines area when shots were fired between two groups during the construction of the first Welland Ship Canal. The Coloured Corps also volunteered during the Rebellion of 1837-38, bringing the conflict to an end with the Carolina, a rebel supply ship, being set adrift over the Canadian Falls by the Coloured Corps Volunteers. The rebellion had the earmarks of an American invasion by those who supported slavery, and the refugee Freedom Seekers who had made Canada their home were not going to allow that to happen in Canada.
42
"The American Steam Packet 'Caroline' Descending the Great Falls of Niagara"29 December 1837
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Toronto Public Library (TRL), J, Ross Robertson Collection, JRR 1231
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"The steamboat Caroline, in flames and breaking up, just above Horseshoe Falls"29 December 1837
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Credits:It Happened in Niagara, Revised and Enlarged Edition; Sherman Zavitz; Lundy's Lane Historical Society, 2008
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Dr. Anderson Abbot, Canadian Trained Doctor, Officer of the Union Army in the United StatesMid-1800s
Unknown
Credits:The Freedom Seekers; Daniel G. Hill; Book Society of Canada Ltd., Canada, 1981
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First World WarIn spite of a strong history of loyalty to Canada, hundreds of Black volunteers were turned away during the First World War. A letter signed by Major General Chief of Staff of Canada sums up the opinion of many officers who were ignorant of the earlier contribution of these loyal citizens.
"Nothing is to be gained by blinking facts. The civilised negro is vain and imitative; in Canada he is not being impelled to enlist by high sense of duty; in the trenches he is not likely to make a good fighter; and the average white man will not associate with him on terms of equality. Not a single commanding officer in Military District No. 2 is willing to accept a coloured platoon as part of his battalion and it would be humiliating to the coloured men themselves to serve in a battalion where they were not wanted..."
(Signed )
Major General Chief of Staff
46
Private James Grant, left, with unknown companion, in typical WWI uniform1914-1918
St Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Norval Johnson Heritage Centre
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Pte. James Grant of St. Catharines, awarded the Ontario Military Medal for Bravery1914-1918
St Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Norval Johnson Heritage Centre
48
One of the few Coloured Corps plaques in the area20 July 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
49
In spite of the opinion of Canada's Military in 1914, Canada's Black Battalion served honourably during the First World War. It was the last time that Black Volunteers were segregated into specific units. Soldiers who called St Catharines, Chatham, Brantford, Hamilton, Cayuga, and London, Ontario home, served our country well as members of the Black Battalion. Military recruitment for soldiers to serve in World War II, Korea, UN Peace-keeping missions, Afghanistan, peace time and special operations no longer segregates soldiers within Canadian Armed Forces divisions."For he to-day that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother…"
St. Crispen's Day Speech
Shakespeare's HENRY V
C. 1599
50
Fort Mississauga, built by the Coloured Corps during the War of 181220 July 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
51
Fort Mississauga is not open to the public22 July 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
52
Star-shaped earthenworks built by the Coloured Corps during the War of 181222 July 2009
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada
Credits:James Black
53
250 year-old fingerprints in homemade bricks, Boon Plantation, South Carolina11 November 2008
South Carolina, United States
Credits:James Black
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