Crowds gathered in a Nova Scotia community Saturday to honour a little-known military unit from the First World War: Canada's first -- and only -- all-black battalion.

Black men were frequently rejected at recruiting stations when fighting began in 1914. Those who wanted to serve formed a segregated unit based in Pictou, N.S., and were sent overseas to build bridges and lay rail lines.

The unit was called the Second Construction Battalion. But after the war ended, the battalion's efforts were largely forgotten by historians.

"I spent 35 years in the Canadian Armed Forces and it wasn't until I retired that I heard of the Number Two Construction Battalion," Carl Carvery told CTV Atlantic.

Recognition for the battalion began to flourish in 1993, when a monument was unveiled in Pictou. The unit is now celebrated as an example of proud military service by black Canadians, and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has visited the site.

Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Junior, who just returned from a tour of duty in Sierra Leone, said the battalion inspired him to carry out his duties to the best of his ability.

"They stood up and said, 'This is a job that's given to me, and as a soldier I'll be as disciplined and I'll do the best possible job,'" he told CTV Atlantic. "Today, as a soldier of African descent, I draw on their courage and their discipline."

The Toronto Children's Concert Choir took part in a ceremony Saturday honouring the unit. Choir director Denise Gillard said young African-Canadians sometimes feel unconnected to their country's history.

"Something like this really entrenches them to understand the historical significance of the African contribution and I think that makes them better citizens," she said.

Organizers said the annual ceremony has seen a steady rise in attendees. But just a decade ago, not many Canadians had ever heard of the battalion.

"That's why we call it Canada's best-kept military secret," said Henry Bishop of the Black Cultural Centre. "But the secret's out, and we're trying to make it more and more knowledgeable and well-known."

With a report by CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh