Throughout Canada’s history, since colonial times, Black Canadians have taken their places on the
battlefield in defence of their country. They have proudly aided in the defence of the nation in great
wars and in small. From the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the rebellion in 1837, the First &
Second world Wars, to the Korean War they have served, as they continue to do with the Canadian
Forces throughout the world in defence of freedom.
But for Blacks, the privileges of wearing the uniform and defending our country in time of war came only
after winning other battles against discrimination and rejection to enlist on grounds of race and colour.
Even though they demonstrated patriotism, honour, loyalty, courage and devotion to duty, they were
often denied their right to defend their country based on account of colour. They did not give up and
demanded their right as Canadian citizens, to stand with others on the field of honour and they
succeeded. Throughout this arduous struggle, they have helped change Canada into the multi-cultural
accepting country it is today and the people of Buxton were involved in this effort for equality.
One of the first accounts of Blacks questioning the recruitment practices of the Canadian Military was in
World War I, when a letter dated Nov. 6th, 1914 was sent from Buxton school teacher Arthur Harding
Alexander to the Minister of Defence, Col. Sam Hughes, asking why coloured men were being refused
enlistment at recruiting stations, as he saw it being for no other reason than for the colour of their skin,
because he found them to be mentally and physically fit. It seemed at the time the opinion was that
White soldiers would not eat, sleep or fight beside Black soldiers. There were also those who had serious
reservations about training Black men to shoot and kill white men, even if they were the enemy. Other
letters protesting the discriminatory practises of the recruitment centres were pouring in from all across
Canada as Black Canadians demanded their right to enlist in defence of their country. Finally, as a result
of these efforts, the No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed, an all Black unit with White officers.
Among the Buxton men who enlisted in World War I are Sydney Prince, Roy Burriss, Harvey Travis,
Sidney, Charles and Arnold Black, Robert Crosby, Fred Parker, George B. Shreve, Edward and Thomas
Robbins and Charles Travis. George B. Shreve, looking much younger than he was enlisted at the age of
fifty-seven and also wrote patriotic poetry urging others to join the fight. Edward and Thomas Robbins
would both die of influenza during the epidemic of 1918 while in camp.
WW I ended in 1918 and for two decades there would be for the most part world piece, but war would
again erupt in 1939 with the beginning of World War II. During this war Canada had no restrictions
against Blacks enlisting and the regiments were integrated while the U.S. regiments were still
segregated. Over thirty of North Buxton’s men would serve Canada during this war. Edgar Shreve,
Shirley Rhue, Lawrence Brooks, Lester Brown, John Arthur Alexander, Philip Alexander and Ron
Alexander were among them. The later three being the sons of Arthur Harding Alexander who wrote the
letter questioning recruitment practises in 1914. Lawrence Brooks died overseas, Shirley Rhue, was
reported missing in Prince George B.C. and his parents would go their graves never knowing what
happened to their youngest son. Edgar Shreve was wounded and taken prisoner, but did return home.
John Arthur Alexander and Lester Brown of the Queens Own Rifles Of Canada were D-Day Veterans.
Both men were wounded in battle and both would recover and return to civilian life after the war. They
would also bring back with them and carry the scars and shrapnel as silent painful reminders of fighting
with Hitler’s feared S.S. soldiers and the ravages of war .
This article is not meant to be a complete history of the involvement of North Buxton’s men during
times of war, but rather a short glimpse of what is known. Many stories of war remain untold and many
more will remain unknown, written in blood on the battlefield.