Article by Major Jason Martin, OC 45 Support Sqn
On 4 July 2026 members of 4 Engineer Support Squadron (4 ESR), the perpetuating unit of the No 2 Construction Battalion, had the privilege of participating in the annual commemoration event in Pictou, NS. Members of 4 ESR marched from the No. 2 Construction Battalion monument along the Pictou waterfront and up to St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where they participated in the ceremony commemorating the 110th anniversary of the establishment of No. 2 Construction Battalion as Canada’s first and only all-black unit, which occurred on July 5th, 1916. The ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests, including the Hon. David McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, the Hon. Twila Grosse, MLA for Preston and Minister for African Nova Scotian Affairs, and Mr. Russell Grosse, CEO of the Black Cultural Center for Nova Scotia.
This annual ceremony offers the members of 4 ESR the opportunity to connect with the community of Pictou and the veteran and descendant families of the No 2. Construction Battalion. This year’s ceremony saw the presentation of the No 2 Construction Battalion flag by the Commanding Officer of 4 ESR, LCol Ian Summerfield. In presenting the flag LCol Summerfield spoke about what it means to the Regiment to fly the flag around the world on operational deployments as well as domestically during Regimental training. That through flying the flag, 4 ESR is remembering the men of No 2 Construction Battalion who, 110 years ago, fought for the chance to be able to fight for their country. 4 ESR has flown the flag in Jordan on Operation AMARNA, in Poland on Operation UNIFER, as well as in France on a tour of sites where the Battalion worked during The Great War, including on several headstones of fallen members of the Battalion.
This flag, along with pictures of it being flown, will be presented to the Black Cultural Center for Nova Scotia to be on display in their museum.
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