Black Canadian Troop numbers in UK etc

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Andy H
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Black Canadian Troop numbers in UK etc

#1

Post by Andy H » 26 Feb 2014, 16:05

Hi

In October 1942 the question of how to handle the forthcoming segregation of Black US troops from their fellow White comrades in Britain was discussed at a Cabinet meeting. Lord Cranborne pointed out that ‘we already have significant numbers of black Canadians already present in Britain………’

Now to be honest I’d never given any thought concerning the colour make-up of the Canadian Armed forces beyond if they English or French speaking, and the Regimental/Squadron orientation based upon the same English/French divide.

Does anyone have any figures concerning numbers & units etc of Black Canadian troops in the UK or throughout the Canadian armed forces in WW2?

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Andy H

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Re: Black Canadian Troop numbers in UK etc

#2

Post by henryk » 26 Feb 2014, 21:55

http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembran ... ory#second
Little more than 20 years after the end of the “War to End all Wars,” the Second World War (1939–1945) erupted and soon spread across Europe and around the globe. The Second World War saw considerable growth in how Black Canadians served in the military. While some Black recruits would encounter resistance when trying to enlist in the army, in contrast to the First World War no segregated battalions were created. Indeed, several thousand Black men and women served during the bloodiest war the world has ever seen. Black Canadians joined regular units and served alongside their white fellow soldiers here at home, in England, and on the battlefields of Europe. Together they shared the same harsh experiences of war while fighting in places like Italy, France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
In the early years of the war, however, the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Canadian Air Force were not as inclusive in their policies. This did not mean that trail-blazing Black Canadians did not find a way to persevere and serve. Some Black sailors served in the Navy, and Black airmen served in the Air Force as ground crew and aircrew here at home and overseas in Europe.

The contributions of Black servicemen was second to none and several earned decorations for their bravery. Some Black women joined the military as well, serving in support roles so that more men were available for the front lines.


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Re: Black Canadian Troop numbers in UK etc

#3

Post by Sheldrake » 27 Feb 2014, 03:09

There was a segregated black construction battalion but it seems that the Canadian forces were more tolerant and the barriers to entry to combat units could be porous, as this site makes clear http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/news.php/news/30

I have seen the transcript of a letter home circa 1916 from Ypres that makes it obvious that one of the soldiers is black. There is a sing song and one of the Songs is "Dixie" and the black soldier catcalls that he prefers life north of the 49th parallel.

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