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Canadian Expeditionary
Force Study Group
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| Component: |
85th Battalion |
| Active Dates: |
1915 - 1920 |
| Theatre of Operations: |
Canada: September 10, 1916 - October 13, 1916
England: October 19, 1916 - February 10, 1917
France: February 10, 1917 - May 4, 1919
Canada: returned Adriatic May31, 1919 |
| Major Battles: |
ARRAS 1917; 1918; VIMY 1917; YPRES 1917;
PASSCHENDAELE; AMIENS; Scarpe 1918; DROCOURT-QUEANT; HINDENBURG
LINE; CANAL DU NORD; VALENCIENNES; Sambre; FRANCE AND FLANDERS
1917-1918. |
| Location of War Diaries: |
 | Library and Archives Canada (WD
Link) |
| CEFSG War Diary Transcription
(in progress = IP) |
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Background:
Important
Note: The 85th Infantry Battalion joined the
12th Brigade in April 1917, after the 73rd
Infantry Battalion was broken up after devastating loses at
the Battle of Vimy Ridge in April 1917. The 78th
Battalion moved up to take the position of the 73rd and the
85th was brought into the 12th Brigade to fill the void. As
such, the 78th Battalion took over the position and patch of the
73rd Battalion and surrendered their patch and position to the
newly formed 85th.
From
Library and Archives Canada Textual Records
The 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion
was organized in September 1915 under the command of
Lieutenant-Colonel A.H. Borden under authorization published
in General Order 103a of 15 August 1915. The battalion was
mobilized in Halifax and recruited in Nova Scotia.
The battalion embarked at Halifax on 13 October 1916 aboard
OLYMPIC, disembarking in England on 19 October 1916. Its
strength was 34 officers and 1001 other ranks. The battalion
arrived in France on 11 February 1917, becoming part of the
4th Canadian Division, 12th Canadian Infantry Brigade. It was
later reinforced by the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion. The
battalion returned to England on 29 April 1919, disembarked in
Canada on 7 June 1919, was demobilized on 8 June 1919, and was
disbanded by General Order 149 of 15 September 1920.
The battalion colours were made by Lady Borden and presented
on 25 September 1916. They were handed over to the
Lieutenant-Governor for safekeeping in 1919. The battalion
supported silver and pipe bands. The battalion air was `The
Cock O' the North'.
The 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion was perpetuated by The
Cape Breton Highlanders.
From Internet Reference Noted Below (see web site for
details):
During
the first year of the war the Province of Nova Scotia had raised
four Battalions, principally within her own border, viz.: the
17th, 25th,40th and 64th, besides several drafts from the 63rd,
66th,R.C.R., 1st C.A., Composite Battalion, and the 17th Sydney
Field Battery-as a Unit-these all crossed overseas. Many of the
Militia were also called out for garrison duty in various parts
of the Province.
A
distinctive Nova Scotia Highland Regiment, however had not been
raised. On Sept. 14th, 1915, the announcement was made that the
85th "Overseas" Battalion, C.E.F., "Nova Scotia
Highlanders," was authorized, with Lieut-Col. Allison H.
Borden, one of the most popular and competent officers of the
Canadian Permanent force, in command. Known in almost every home
in the Province, a trained soldier, he inspired confidence, and
with great care, selected officers for his staff and for the
various companies.
85th
CEF Overseas Battalion Nov 2005
The website is a pictorial history of the Nova Scotia Highland
Regiment, the 85th "Overseas" Battalion, C.E.F., "Nova
Scotia Highlanders". It was authorized on
Sept. 14th, 1915 with companies made up from the following
Counties: "A" Company - Pictou, Cumberland,
Colchester; "B" Company - Lunenburg, Queens,
Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Antigonish, Guysboro,
Inverness; "C" Company - Halifax, Hants, Kings "D:
Company - Cape Breton Island. Photographs include officers,
staff sergeants, pipe band, signals and machine gun section.
[Recommendation by N.S. Regt] http://bdbarry.tripod.com/id103.htm
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Sub-Components:
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not listed |
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Primary References:
| Nicholson, G. W. L. 1962. Official
History of the Canadian Army in the First World War: Canadian
Expeditionary Force 1914-1919. Queens Printer and Controller
of Stationary, Ottawa, Canada.
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| Stewart, C. H. 1970. "Overseas" The
Lineages and Insignia of the Canadian Expeditionary Force 1914 -1919.
Little & Stewart, Mission Press, Toronto, Canada.
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| Love, D. W. 1999. "A Call to Arms" The
Organization and Administration of Canada's Military in World War One.
Bunker to Bunker Books, Winnipeg & Calgary, Canada
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| Meek, John F. 1971. "Over the Top! The
Canadian Infantry in the First World War. Privately Published,
Orangeville Ontario Canada. |
Secondary References:
Internet References:
| This Page Last
Updated On: |
Sunday February 27, 2011 02:30:27 PM -0500
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