85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF

The 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 85th Battalion was authorized on 14 September 1915[1] and embarked for Great Britain on 12 October 1916. Disembarking in France on 10 February 1917, it fought as part of the 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division in France and Flanders until the end of the war. The battalion disbanded on 15 September 1920.[2] The battalion is most famous for capturing Hill 145 in their first battle. Today, the Vimy Memorial stands on Hill 145.

85th Canadian Infantry Battalion, CEF (Nova Scotia Highlanders)
85th Battalion emblem, worn as a head dress cap badge
Active1915–1919
Country Canada
BranchCanadian Expeditionary Force
TypeInfantry
Part of12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division
Motto(s)Siol na fear fearail (Breed of manly men)
AnniversariesApril 9, 1917
EngagementsVimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Amiens, Hundred Days Offensive
Part of a series on the
Military history of Nova Scotia

The 85th Battalion recruited throughout Nova Scotia and was mobilized at Halifax.[3]

The king's and regimental colours of the battalion are laid up in Government House in Halifax.[4]

The perpetuation of the 85th battalion was assigned in 1920 to 1st Battalion (85th Battalion, CEF), the Cape Breton Highlanders.[5]

Commanding officers

The 85th Battalion had six Officers Commanding:

  • LCol A.H. Borden, 12 October 1916 – 6 July 1917
  • Maj J.L. Ralston, DSO, 31 July 1917 – 11 September 1917
  • LCol A.H. Borden, 11 September 1917 – 26 April 1918
  • LCol J.L. Ralston, CMG, DSO, 26 April 1918 – 23 October 1918
  • Maj J.M. Miller, DSO, MC, 23 October 1918 – 19 November 1918
  • LCol J.L. Ralston, CMG, DSO, 19 November 1918-Demobilization

Battle honours

The 85th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:

Homecoming

In May 1919 the city of Edinburgh hosted the battalion with a parade and special dinner. It was intentioned the 85th would then tour Scotland but the high command informed them that their boat was ready to take them home. On May 31, 1919, the battalion departed from Liverpool, England, aboard SS Adriatic on its journey home to Canada. A total of 49 Officers and 1,800 "other ranks" (including attached NB & PEI soldiers from other units) were on board. They arrived in Halifax on June 7, 1919.[7]

Legacy

The 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF is perpetuated by The Cape Breton Highlanders.[6]

Bibliography

Notes

  1. Hayes, Lt. Col. Joseph. The 85th in France & Flanders, p. 22.
  2. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
  3. Meek, John F. Over the Top! The Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Orangeville, Ont.: The Author, 1971. ISBN 0906158109
  4. Soucie Madill, Christine (17 October 2016). "Colours of Nova Scotia's First World War fighting units repatriated". Localxpress.ca. Archived from the original on 10 August 2017. Retrieved 18 October 2016.
  5. Personnel, Government of Canada, National Defence, Chief Military. "Volume 3, Part 2: Infantry Regiments - THE CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDERS". www.cmp-cpm.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved 2017-12-04.
  6. Canadian Forces Publication A-DH-267-003 Insignia and Lineages of the Canadian Forces. Volume 3: Combat Arms Regiments.
  7. Hayes 2016, p. 240

References

Hayes, Joseph (2016). The Eighty-Fifth in France and Flanders. WENTWORTH Press. ISBN 9781361998847.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) - Total pages: 414

Works cited
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