NBMHM
Bldg A5 P.O. Box 17000 Stn Forces E2V 4J5 Oromocto, NB, Canada

In Honour of Black History Month, the Royal New Brunswick Regiment is proud to highlight the service, sacrifice, and achievements of some of the black soldiers ...from our long and proud Regimental history. Black soldiers have been part of the story of the Royal New Brunswick Regiment’s story since almost the very beginning, going back at least as far as the War of 1812. The Black soldiers in the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot: Some sources state that the Pioneers of New Brunswick’s 104th Regiment of Foot were all black soldiers. One of these sources is, ReadingAndRemembrance.ca The following is from their article on black soldiers who have served in Canada’s military throughout history: When the Americans threatened British North America in War of 1812, the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot turned to its black community for pioneers, 16 were recruited to form an all-black pioneer section. It was customary for an infantry battalion to have a pioneer section of around 10 skilled men whose duties included road-making, bridge-building, construction and repair. They were sturdy men who knew how to wield an axe, a spade, a mattock and a saw. The illustration of a Pioneer of the 104th Regiment of Foot, by R.J. Marrion is described as follows: The plate illustrates a pioneer of the 104th in 1814. Each infantry battalion had a pioneer section of about ten men who were skilled in the use of tools. Their duties included road making, bridge building, and the repair and construction of simple fortifications Apparently, all the pioneers of the 104th New Brunswick Regiment were black. The pioneer wears a tan leather apron to protect his clothing during the performance of heavy tasks. His equipment consists of a set of cross-belts supporting a cartridge-box on the right hip and a bayonet on the left. The belts are joined by an oval brass belt-plate inscribed with the number and title of the unit. The canvas haversack and blue water-bottle hang on the left side. A bill hook, a short heavy-bladed cutting implement, hangs in its black scabbard from a black leather waist-belt. Assorted tools such as saws, hammers, mattocks, and spades were carried by various pioneers. The head of the pioneer's axe was carried in a holster attached to the waist-belt, and the helve was carried across the back. Another black member of the 104th was Henry Grant, the imposing bass drummer of the regimental band. Ever since Britain’s campaign in Egypt in 1801, it had been a mark of status for a regiment to have a black bass drummer or cymbalist (the 100th Regiment had a Black cymbal player). When the intrepid men of the 104th marched out of Fredericton to begin their long overland winter march to Kingston, 14 drummers and buglers played The Girl I Left Behind Me as Private Henry Grant beat the marching pace on the bass drum. The 104th used snow shoes and toboggans on their march to assist in the defence of Upper Canada. Private Grant was up daily before dawn to sound reveille along with the buglers. The temperatures fell to -32 Celsius, snow drifts were metres higher than the fence posts; the frozen rapids on the St. John River proved difficult. In the midst of this joyless journey, Henry provided his fellow soldiers with a moment of mirth. The 104th Regiment’s Lieutenant A.W. Playfair wrote Our big black drummer straddled the big drum, which was lashed to a toboggan, to try the experiment of a slide but it jumped the track shooting him off at a high velocity and the sable African came up some distance from where he disappeared, a white man from head to foot, exciting roars of laughter. In spite of this humorous incident, Henry faced the same dangers as all the other soldiers. He and the band of the 104th Foot participated in the Battle of Sackets Harbour where several soldiers of the 104th were killed. Pioneer, Private John Baker was wounded at Sackets Harbour but recovered to fight on at other battles. From the earliest Canadian history onwards, black defenders have played their part in the defence of Canada. Private Rankin Wheary: During the First World War, Private Rankin Wheary served in the 26th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF), New Brunswick’s famous Fighting 26th. He was killed in action at Bourlon Wood on October 7th, 1918. Born in December 1895, in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Rankin was the son of Jessie Wheary. Before the war he had worked as a labourer and volunteered for overseas service in January 1916. Initially he served with New Brunswick’s 104th, CEF before going overseas he would be transferred to the No.2 Construction Battalion, Canada’s only all black unit in the First World War. He was later transferred to the 26th Battalion where he took part in the fighting at the front. Upon his headstone at Bourlon Wood Cemetery are inscribed he words, In memory of my beloved brother Rankin, from his sister Elsie Diggs. Bugle Sergeant Arthur Seymour Tyler: Seymour Tyler was born in Saint John on February 22, 1897. With the start of First World War, Tyler quit school and enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1915. After a 21-day crossing to Britain and much overland travel, he arrived in Boulogne, France, as part of No.2 Construction Battalion. A few of the men from the battalion went on to serve as combat soldiers and Seymour Tyler was one of them. He fought bravely in the battle for Vimy Ridge. Upon returning to Canada following the war, he enlisted in the militia as a member of the York Regiment and enrolled in a bugler’s course in 1925; he also played the cornet in the regimental band. By 1929 he had married Lenetta and was living in the Fredericton area. Just before the Second World War the regiment was amalgamated with the Carleton Light Infantry to form the Carleton & York Regiment. When the Second World War broke out the Carleton & York Regiment was named as part of the first contingent to be sent over seas and Bugle Sergeant Tyler was with them. He was awarded a Silver Bugle by his regiment in 1939 for 21 years of service. When the ship landed in Scotland, he led the parade to where the first Canadian contingent met future Governor General Vincent Massey and Canadian Commander Major General A.G.L. McNaughton. According to Tyler, I had the honor of leading the bugle band from the ship to the train.. One of Mr. Tyler's treasured memories was his visit with King George VI, and Queen Elizabeth during the first inspection of the 1st Canadian Division after arrival in Britain. Says Tyler: I sounded the Royal Salute when King George VI came to inspect the 1st Canadian Division. I was carrying the Efficiency Decoration and both the King and the Queen exchanged a few words with me that day. He was wounded, with his leg was broken in seven places, during German bombing attacks during the Battle of Britain and he was sent home. After his recovery in Canada, he continued to serve in the Reserve Army, with the 2nd Battalion of the Carleton & York Regiment. After his time in uniform, he became known to thousands of Canadians who traveled on the CPR where he served as a pullman porter on the Saint John to Montreal, Saint John to Boston, Toronto to Regina and many other runs. When he returned to the family farm in Minto in 1959, he became friend and confidant to many and distinguished himself as the most honoured member of the Black community in New Brunswick for the work he did to promote the pride, unity and dignity of his race through education. Seymour Tyler died on February 17, 1985, at the age of 88. Sergeant Arthur Duke Eatman: Sergeant Arthur Eatman, who went by the nickname Duke, was a black soldier who had been serving in the Militia, with the York Regiment, prior to the Second World War. Before the outbreak of the war the York Regiment was amalgamated with the Carleton Light Infantry to form the Carleton & York Regiment. This regiment was mobilized in 1939 and went overseas as part of the 1st Canadian Division. The Carleton & York Regiment trained in England and Scotland until their deployment on Operation HUSKY, the invasion of Italy. Sergeant Eatman, and the rest of the Carleton & Yorks, landed on the beaches near Pachino, Sicily on 10 July, 1943. Sergeant Eatman, who was described by his superiors as, a very competent Platoon Sergeant with officer potential, was selected to lead a patrol forward of the Carleton & York Regiment’s positions near the Raddusa-Agira Station area on 22 July, 1943. Robert Tooley’s book, INVICTA, The Carleton and York Regiment in the Second World War, tells the story of Sergeant Eatman’s patrol as follows: The 23rd of July was a disastrous day for the CYR. From their position still in the Raddusa-Agira Station area a patrol of 28 men from A Company under the command of Sgt A Eatman was sent out at 11:00am and was due back before dark. The patrol’s object was to investigate a pink house on top of a hill to the eastward and find out if it was occupied. That was the last seen or heard of the patrol until C Company came across Sgt Eatman’s body on 24 July, some 2000 yard forward: four other bodies were found, those of A/LCpl WJ Lapointe, and Ptes Omar B Gallagher, WJ McCauley and WH Morris. The body of Pte Arlie Hanson was never found and he was presumed killed in action. No others were found, and it was assumed correctly as it later turned out, that the rest had been taken prisoner. Sergeant Arthur Duke Eatman is buried with his fallen comrades in Agira Canadian War Cemetery in Sicily. A relative of Sergeant Arthur Eatman is still serving in the Canadian Army today. Corporal Brad Eatman serves with the Royal New Brunswick Regiment, the regimental descendant of Arthur Eatman’s Carleton & York Regiment. Corporal Brad Eatman is very proud of Arthur Eatman’s service and sacrifice. He has visited his grave in Agira Canadian War Cemetery and left a tribute of a photograph and badges of both the Carleton & York Regiment and Royal New Brunswick Regiment. Pictures and information from: Rosemary Sadlier, www.nbblackhistorysociety.org, Hal Skaarup, Fredericton Region Museum, Juanita Plamer, Daniel Liam Stollery, and the New Brunswick Military History Museum. SPEM REDUXIT

Presentation of Victoria Cross to Major John K. Mahony, The Westminster Regiment (Motor), by King George VI in Italy. (Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233084) Medals were not allowed in theatre, therefore the King is presenting Maj Mahoney with the ribbon to the VC. _______________________________ Présentation de la Croix de Victoria au major John K. Mahony, The Westminster Regiment (Motor), par le roi George VI en Italie. (Photo de Bibliothèque et Archives Ca...nada, MIKAN no 4233084) Les médailles n'étant pas autorisées sur le théâtre des opérations, le roi remet au major Mahoney le ruban de la VC. See more

64th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (New Brunswick Regiment) RCA. Group photo, Camp Picton, Ontario, 5 August, 1954. Photo from the book: "From Private to Battery... Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" by Paul E. Belliveau. ____________ 64e Régiment d'artillerie anti-aérienne légère (Régiment du Nouveau-Brunswick) ARC. Photo de groupe, Camp Picton, Ontario, 5 août 1954. Photo tirée du livre : "From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" par Paul E. Belliveau.

64th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (New Brunswick Regiment) RCA. Church Parade, Moncton, NB, October, 1953. Photo from the book: "From Private to Battery Command...er, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" by Paul E. Belliveau. __________________ 64e Régiment d'artillerie anti-aérienne légère (Régiment du Nouveau-Brunswick) ARC. Parade de l'église, Moncton, NB, octobre 1953. Photo tirée du livre : "From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" par Paul E. Belliveau.

Lieutenant J.H. Belliveau, 64th LAA Regiment (New Brunswick Regiment), January, 1951. Photo from the book: "From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H.... Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" by Paul E. Belliveau. __________________ Lieutenant J.H. Belliveau, 64e Régiment LAA (Régiment du Nouveau-Brunswick), janvier 1951. Photo tirée du livre : " From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959) " par Paul E. Belliveau.

Bofors 40mm Light Anti-Aircraft gun crew of 64th LAA Regiment in action, Camp Picton, Ontario, July, 1955. Photo from the book: "From Private to Battery Command...er, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" by Paul E. Belliveau. __________ L'équipe du canon anti-aérien léger Bofors 40 mm du 64e régiment LAA en action, Camp Picton, Ontario, juillet 1955. Photo tirée du livre : " From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959) " par Paul E. Belliveau.

Bofors 40mm Light Anti-Aircraft gun crew of 64th LAA Regiment prepares ammunition for a shoot, Halifax, July, 1952. Photo from the book: "From Private to Batter...y Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959)" by Paul E. Belliveau. _____________ L'équipe du canon anti-aérien léger Bofors 40 mm du 64e régiment LAA prépare des munitions pour un tir, Halifax, juillet 1952. Photo tirée du livre : " From Private to Battery Commander, Captain Joseph H. Belliveau's Military Journey (1942-1959) " par Paul E. Belliveau.

HRH Prince Phillip meeting with members of No. 441 Squadron at North Luffenham, England on 21 May 1953. Canadair CL-13 Sabre Mk.2 in the background. (DND Photo)

If you are interested in Fredericton native Stanton T. Friedman's story, you can listen to it here: https://youtu.be/T76xGD4ep4s

A group of us have been compiling a reference list of significant events and dates in RCAF history. Many of you have contributed to this list, and rather than sending an updated e-mail every so often, I have built a web page with the information available to all. If there are dates and events you think should be included, please post or send me an e-mail ([email protected]), and I will update the list on line. http://silverhawkauthor.com/rcaf-19242124-key-events_1196.h

Chief Margaret Pictou LaBillois of the Eel River Bar First Nation near Dalhousie, New Brunswick. Photo by Dennis Jarvis, published in the Star Weekly, 4 Sep 1971. Chief LaBillois was the first of her Eel River Bar First Nation community to graduate high school in 1939. After graduating from high school, she joined the RCAF, and served an Aircraftwoman First Class. She was a photo-reconnaissance technician who worked on mapping the Alaska Highway, which was constructed dur...ing the Second World War to connect Alaska to Canada and the rest of the United States. In 1982, she graduated from Lakehead University with an Honours Degree in Native Languages. In 1970,she was elected as Chief of Eel River Bar First nations, making her the first female chief in New Brunswick. Chief LaBillois received the Order of Canada in 1996 in recognition of her leadership abilities, and the Order of New Brunswick in 2005 for her protection of Mi’kmaq language. She "walked" on 19 April 2013 at the age of 89. See more

Lahr is a city located on the western edge of the Black Forest where the Schutter Valley merges with the Upper Rhine River Plains from the east, in western Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is approximately 50 km north of Freiburg im Breisgau, 40 km south east of Strasbourg, France, and 95 km south west of Karlsruhe. It is the second largest city in the district of Ortenau, after Offenburg, and serves as an intermediate economic centre for the cities and towns of Ettenheim, Fr...Continue reading

Maybe you're having a bad day, but I'm pretty sure you're not having a "tell your boss you set off the fire suppression system at the Minnesota National Guard hangar and foamed all 10 aircraft." kinda bad day...