While not an iconic image widely known except to those who may have an interest in the 2nd Construction Company in particular or Black Canadian soldiers in general, it has been often used to illustrate the subject and usually associated with the unit mentioned.
The photo is included on the
Veterans Affairs Canada webpage honouring the service of Black Canadians in uniform. (the page is of interest personally because one of the photos there is of a friend who I served with in Egypt nearly forty years ago.
If these three soldiers were not Canadian, a few websites would probably have to change. While the 2nd Construction Coy was the only "black" unit, they were not the only soldiers of colour in the CEF. In looking at the possibility that elements of that unit were in the area (east of Arras) at that particular time, a quick look through the
war diary of the company indicates that the company was in the area of Lajoux (in the Jura - over near Switzerland) at that time. However, two officers and 180 ORs were attached to No. 1 District, Central Group, Canadian Forestry Corps from 1 Jan 1918. This HQ was located at Alencon (Normandie), so there was an element located closer (but not too close) to Arras. There were no details in the
No. 1 District HQ war diary to indicate that any of the companies under them specifically moved to the Arras area.