In a moving ceremony held in Toronto and later at Ottawa’s War Museum, historian Kathy Grant and members of the Carpenters and Painters Unions joined each other to honor the life of Sidney Flood, a distinguished Black Canadian soldier who served in both World Wars.

Flood, born in Guyana, emigrated to Canada, where he enlisted with the Number 2 Construction Battalion during World War I, Canada’s only all-Black battalion. His service continued through World War II in the Veterans Guard of Canada, despite the discrimination that limited the ranks and positions available to Black soldiers at the time.

The journey to recover Flood’s medals began when Grant discovered that they were for sale online for $6,000. With limited funds, Grant reached out to the seller, who eventually agreed to a reduced price of just over $4,000. The Carpenters Union, represented by Chris Campbell, and the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, represented by Ivan Dawns, stepped forward to cover the costs, ensuring Flood’s medals could return to his family and community.

During the ceremony, Clyde Flood, Sidney’s grandson, traveled with his sons from Ottawa to Toronto to receive the medals on behalf of the family. Reflecting on his grandfather’s legacy, Clyde expressed pride in Sidney’s service and resilience, remarking that the recovered medals, which include a British War Medal, a Victory Medal from World War I, and a Canadian Volunteer Service Medal from World War II, offer a poignant connection to his family’s heritage.

The medals remained on display at the War Museum on Remembrance Day, after which they will be transferred permanently to the Blackhurst Cultural Center in Toronto. The unveiling also featured a commemorative plaque honoring the Number 2 Construction Battalion, recognizing the battalion’s significance as the largest all-Black unit in Canadian military history. Created amid deep-seated racial segregation, the battalion faced barriers in active duty but contributed greatly to the War effort.

Grant’s ongoing work ensures that Canada’s Black veterans are remembered, respected, and celebrated. She sees the recovery of Flood’s medals as a critical piece in preserving and sharing these legacies with the wider public.

A student researcher, Julissa Perez, also presented findings on Flood’s service, which will be featured in the Black Veterans’ and Number 2 Construction Battalion’s online archives.

With these medals and stories now accessible to Canadians, Sidney Flood’s legacy and the contributions of the Number 2 Construction Battalion will be remembered for generations to come.

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