A Brandon family’s link to military history
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/11/2023 (863 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The solemn grounds of Brandon’s Remembrance Day service at the Keystone Centre bore witness to a remarkable tale of valour and ancestral pride on Saturday morning, as the Gero family paid tribute to their grand uncles, war veterans Joseph and William Paris.
Retired Master Warrant Officer John Gero, alongside his brothers Peter and Walter Gero, shared an emotional connection to Canadian history that spans generations.
With a military career spanning 36 years, John Gero retired in 2014 from the Royal Regiment Canadian Artillery. However, it was only a year and a half ago that he delved into the family’s military legacy.
“Our father served in the armed forces as well. While researching our grandmother’s family tree, I discovered her brothers, Joseph and William Paris,” he told the Sun while emphasizing the significance of family ties.
Agnes Marcella, who was Gero’s grandmother, was the youngest in the Paris family of two boys and four girls. Through meticulous research, John unearthed the remarkable stories of her brothers who, unknown to him, were pivotal figures in Canadian history.
“As I go through the family tree, the photos of my granduncles (Joseph and William) pop up. I saw a photo of them together with the No. 2 Construction Battalion soldiers, and in the stare that I found, I realized that they’re on the Canadian stamp commissioned in 2016,” he said, reflecting on the revelation that their grand uncles’ images adorned the Canadian stamp.
The official website of Nova Scotia stated that the No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force originated in Nova Scotia in response to petitions by Black men who sought to serve their country but faced rejection at recruiting offices. The centenary of the battalion’s establishment, authorized on July 5, 1916, was observed in 2016.
In commemoration of the centenary and as a tribute to the men who served in the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the Nova Scotia Archives unveiled a digitized version of the Nominal Roll of Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, and Men ‘on strength’ as of March 28, 1917. This date marks their departure overseas from Halifax aboard the SS Southland.
Described as a solemn document, the Nominal Roll encourages contemplation on the significance of the No. 2 Construction Battalion in Canadian military history and reflects on what it meant over a century ago to serve as a Black Canadian soldier.
The decision to commemorate Joseph and William Paris emerged organically.
“I approached my brothers and we agreed to lay a wreath today in honour of the No. 2 Construction Battalion,” John Gero told the Sun. “We thought it’d be a good idea when we went to the Legion and applied for it, and we’re very proud to do so.”
The stamp, commissioned in 2016, showcased a historical image that became deeply personal for the Gero family. “When they commissioned the stamp in 2016, it just so happens that Joseph and William Paris were the two gentlemen in the picture featured on the Canadian stamp,” he said, emphasizing the unexpected recognition that brought their grand uncles into the national spotlight.
Remembrance Day holds profound significance for individuals like John Gero, who devoted a substantial part of their lives to military service. “I’ve always taken Remembrance Day seriously because I served in the armed forces for 36 years, and our father served for 37 years, including in Korea,” he said. The gravity of the day is heightened by the awareness of a rich family history soaked in military service.
As the Gero family continues to weave their story into the fabric of Canadian military history, John Gero explained that the tale of Joseph and William Paris stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of service.
“Realizing that we have a family history of serving our country means a lot to all of us. We have one more brother who’s not here today due to recovery from surgery, but he would be here if he could,” he said.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
» X: @AbiolaOdutola