85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF


The 85th Battalion, CEF, was an infantry battalion of the Great War Canadian Expeditionary Force. The 85th Battalion was authorized on 14 September 1915 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. The battalion is most famous for capturing Hill 145 in their first battle. Today, the Vimy Memorial stands on Hill 145.
The 85th Battalion recruited throughout Nova Scotia and was mobilized at Halifax.
The king's and regimental colours of the battalion are laid up in Government House in Halifax.
The perpetuation of the 85th battalion was assigned in 1920 to 1st Battalion, the Cape Breton Highlanders.

Commanding officers

The 85th Battalion had six Officers Commanding:

Battle honours

The 85th Battalion was awarded the following battle honours:
In May 1919 the city of Edinburgh hosted the battalion with a parade and special dinner. It was intended that 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" were on board. They arrived in Halifax on June 7, 1919.

Legacy

The 85th Battalion, CEF is perpetuated by The Cape Breton Highlanders.

Works cited