There's no doubt about their motivation.

They fought, literally, for freedom.

If the British had lost the War of 1812, the soldiers of the black militia units - a segregated company of the First Lincoln Militia - feared their loved ones would undoubtedly be forced back into the slavery they had escaped south of the border.

They eagerly volunteered to fight to defend their families, and the freedom they had found in Upper Canada, said Rosemary Sadlier, founder and president of the Black Canadian Network.

"If the Americans took over, they would be re-enslaved, and their families would be broken up and sold off into God knows what," she said.

"It was the combination. It was the loss of family and the nature of the war."

After years of lobbying to have plaques created to honour those soldiers, her efforts came to fruition Saturday.

"It is amazing," said Sadlier, following the unveiling of a plaque at Fort George commemorating the significance of black militia units in Upper Canada from 1812 to 1850.

"It will hopefully help to start some other important discussions and other observations about the long-term contributions of people of African descent to this country."

Sgt. Patrick Philippeaux, stationed at Canadian Division headquarters in Toronto, was one of more than a dozen other currently-serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces who participated in the event honouring the soldiers of the black militia.

"It's an honour," Philippeaux said. "It allows us to see how far we've come. Honouring the soldiers of the past. Honouring the soldiers of today."

Sadlier said honouring the contributions of Canada's first soldiers of African descent also helps inspire those serving in today's Armed Forces.

"It's affirming them in what they're building on," she said. "They're not the first, but they're building on something that was already happening."

After learning about the unveiling, Royal Canadian Navy Petty Officer First Class Akol Felix said he passed the information along "through the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group, which oversees things like this."

When his colleagues from the Army, Navy and Air Force stationed at Canadian Forces bases throughout Ontario learned about the dedication for the black militia, "we thought, wouldn't it be nice to show up and be a part of it."

"It sort of snowballed," he said.

As a result, he said, members of Canada's Armed Forces bases in Petawawa, Toronto, Borden and across the province gathered in Niagara-on-the-Lake to participate in Saturday's ceremony.

Felix, who is stationed in Kingston, said part of the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group's mandate "is to highlight history like this."

"People don't see enough of things like this," he said.

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St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle said the commemorative plaque will help ensure members of the militia units will always be "remembered as part of Canada's people, places and events."

He said the black militia units left an indelible mark on Canadian history, adding they volunteered in large numbers in proportion to their population.

Bittle said the militia unit, known as the Coloured Corp, saw its first action during one of the most famous battles in Canadian history - the Battle of Queenston Heights in October 1812.

The militia then fought in the Battle of Fort George, before being redeployed to help in the construction of Fort Mississauga.

"Many of these men encountered poor treatment after the war when trying to claim their gratuities and land grants, even after years if faithful service to the Crown," Bittle said. "This did not break their spirit and devotion to living as free people in Upper Canada."

Niagara-on-the-Lake Lord Mayor Betty Disero said the town, too, has been working to acknowledge the contributions of the black community - including the development of Voices of Freedom Park.

"This is a very significant part of Canadian history, as well as the history of our town," she said, adding an educational component will be added to the centrally located park to give visitors an opportunity to learn about the contributions made by people of African descent.

Although the plaque was unveiled at Fort George, Sadlier was uncertain where it would ultimately be erected.

"It may end up going into Queenston Heights. We'll see," she said, adding it should be erected within a month.

Allan.Benner@niagaradailies.com

905-225-1629 | @abenner1