Letter from Buxton

A letter from Buxton - Part of Canada's Military Past
These letters & others are included in the History of the The No. 2 Construction Battalion
This collection can be found at http://alts.net/ns1625/conbat2a.html

November 6, 1914

To Sir Sam Hughes
Minister of Militia and Defence
Ottawa

Dear Sir:

The colored people of Canada want to know why they are not allowed to enlist in the Canadian militia. I am informed that several who have applied for enlistment in the Canadian expeditionary forces have been refused for no other apparent reason than their color, as they were physically and mentally fit.

Thanking you in advance for any information that you can & will give me in regards to this matter I remain yours respectfully, for King & Country.

Arthur Alexander,
North Buxton, Ont.

Arthur Alexander's copy found at the Buxton Historic Site & Museum. The original is in Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa

Alex.jpg (4700 bytes)
Arthur H. Alexander

Arthur H. Alexander, 85 years old when the photo was taken, served as North Buxton's school principal for 37 years.

The Reply

Nov. 20th, 1914

To Arthur Alexander, Esq.,
North Buxton, Ont.

H.Q. 297-1-21

Sir,

The Honorable Minister of Militia and Defence has duly received your letter of 6th instant enquiring about coloured people not being allowed to enlist in the Canadian Militia for Overseas Expeditionary Force.

Under instructions already issued, the selection of Officers and men for the second contingent is entirely in the hands of Commanding Officers, and their selections or rejections are not interfered with from Headquarters.

I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(signature illegible)
Lt.-Col.
Military Secretary.

The original is in Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa
Arthur Alexander's copy found at the Buxton Historic Site & Museum

Additional Information
on this subject and
others can be found
at the following link.

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