Three Sergeants

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

France

Circa 1918

Three battle hardened sergeants from the 85th Battalion pose in chairs for a photograph. Sgt. Titus Mossman is on the far right. The other two sergeants are not unidentified.The photo is believed to have been taken in France, possibly Lozinghem, in the mid to late summer of 1918. Note that two of the men wear holstered revolvers on their waist belts and the third man (far left) wears a bayonet in a scabbard. 

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  20-3 (10.4)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  David Mossman, Wolfville, NS

Sergeants

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Lozinghem, France

Circa July, 1918

In the late spring of 1918, the 85^th Battalion was pulled out of the front lines for rest, refitting and training. Some of the training took place on the expansive grounds of a chateau in Lozinghem, France, where the battalion was billeted in huts for six weeks. During their stay at Lozinghem, the battalion was issued kilts for the first time which would have been a highlight of their stay. The men in the above photo are posed on the steps of the chateau.

In the centre of the front row of standing men, sixth from the left is 222725 Regimental Sergeant Major Alexander Campbell. From their rank insignia, it appears the two men on each side of him are company sergeant majors. One of them, eighth from the left, is Titus Mossman. Although it appears that he is a company sergeant major in the photo, his service records indicate that he was not promoted to that rank until two months later. In the same row, standing on the far left and wearing a sporran, is Pipe Major Alexander Mitchell Dare of the 85th Battalion's pipe band.

From their rank insignia, it appears the men sitting in the front row are quartermaster sergeants. 

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  13-7 (3-6.4)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  Stephen Horne Collection

"B" Company Baseball Team

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Rixensart, Belgium

Circa 1919

"B" Company won the brigade championship at Rixensart in late February, 1919, and went on to win the division championship the following month. Note the man in the centre holding a softball and a baseball bat. The ball has a "B" printed on it. 

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  20-3 (3.2)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  David Mossman, Wolfville, NS

Colour Party

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Chateau Rixensart, Belgium

April, 1919

The colour party displays the King's Colours and the Regimental Colours of the 85th Battalion.

Left to Right:
1.  (?)
2.  222568 CSM Titus Milton Mossman, MM and Bar
3.  Lieut. Douglas Morgan Wiswell
4.  Lieut. Percy T. Andrews
5.  736803 CSM Robert Archibald Murray, DCM
6.  283574 RSM Albert Sidney Ward

Lieut. Wiswell was awarded a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour from the French government.

This photo was taken on the grounds of Chateau Rixensart in Belgium. After the war ended, the 85th Battalion was billeted in Rixensart from January 6, 1919 to April 25, 1919.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  20-3 (1.2)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  David Mossman, Wolfville, NS

NCO's

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1919

NCO's, probably from "B" Company, pose on the step of a chateau. The location is not identified, but it could be Rixensart, Belgium. In the centre of the front row is CSM Titus Mossman.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  20-3 (2.2)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  David Mossman, Wolfville, NS