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CM . . .
. Volume X Number 19 . . . . May 21, 2004
Honour Before Glory is a film created by Anthony Sherwood, based on the diary entries of Reverend William H. White, Chaplain of the #2 Construction Battalion - the only regiment of Afro-Canadian soldiers in World War I. This film is a must for all Canadian high schools. During World War I, a large number of Canadian Black men wanted desperately to enlist in the Canadian army and serve their country. However, any such attempts were met with comments such as, "Not one Black fella in the army," "the first rule for recruitment is that all men must be white," "there was to be no mixing of coloured and white" and "a coloured regiment? No, they wouldn't make for good fighting men." While this was the official military position, letters poured in from across Canada protesting this stance. Bowing to pressure and the fact that the war was not going particularly well at that point, on 5 July 1915, the government formed the #2 Construction Battalion which was to be made up of Black volunteers - including 160 Americans. As a construction battalion, these men were not to serve in battle. Even this much inclusion, however, gave them great pride. They were going to war to prove themselves and felt that they, "were going to leave Canada as boys and return as men-soldiers." The logistics of getting them overseas proved to be a problem as the military refused to allow them passage on any ship carrying White soldiers. Initially they were to be sent on their own ship without a navy escort. However, after some debate, an escort was provided, and the men landed in France in 1917. Through photographs, some stock war footage and re-enactments, the film shows the life of these soldiers and the difficulties that they had to endure. As a construction battalion, their duties included cutting down trees for railway ties and stringing barbed wire close to enemy lines. Conditions were dangerous and horrible. They were last on the supply line and often went weeks without changes in socks or underwear. Even though they managed to break a number of production records, they were seen as lazy and not fit enough to fight. Their White commander had no use for his men and made that clear. Medical officers refused to treat the men. The one exception was Dr. Don Murray, who took a special interest in the battalion and acted as their doctor against the wishes of his peers. One soldier, accused of faking his illness, was sent from the hospital and later died from the lack of medical attention when Dr. Murray was away. In his writing, Reverend White speaks highly of Dr. Murray, and the film presents this relationship as mutual. The film conducts a number of interviews with family members of the battalion. Clearly, the descendants of these men feel great pride for their accomplishments. As Chaplain, Rev. White was privy to much that went on with the men and his writing shows that he agonized about their welfare, the incessant rain, the war in general and how much he missed his family. Although the spiritual centre of the battalion, he did have questions of his own. Honour Before Glory is not a perfect film. The music is a bit overdone, and the acting seems staged at times, but this does not take away from its value. This film would have applicability in any course dealing with Canada and World War I or Civil Rights issues. This would also be perfect for Black History Month presentations. Its length allows for use in a single class. There are three breaks in the film, for commercials perhaps, during which the film can be stopped for discussion purposes. This film would be a good companion to Journey to Justice. Highly Recommended. Frank Loreto is a teacher-librarian at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School in Brampton, ON.
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