Band

219th Overseas Highland Battalion

England

Circa 1916-1917

The photo may have been taken in Bramshott.

Two men have been identified by facial comparison to known photos:

Seated, fifth from the left, is Lieut. Michael Ryan, bandmaster. He was born in Quebec, but living in Halifax, when he was transferred from the Royal Canadian Regiment to serve as bandmaster for the 219^th Battalion. He had 25 years service with the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was 51 years old when he joined the 219^th Battalion. He later served in England with the 17^th Reserve Battalion and in France with the Royal Canadian Regiment. He was returned to Canada with medical issues before the war ended.

Seated, fourth from the left, is 283470 Band Sergeant Edward C. Bowers. He was born in Bridgewater, NS, and living in Liverpool, NS, when he enlisted in the 219^th Battalion on April 24, 1916. He later served in the 17^th Reserve Battalion and the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). He survived the war.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-4 (21-2-1.3)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo postcard
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection

Reverse of the Above Postcard