Personal Profile Collections
282813 L/Cpl. Robert Alexander Muir
Short Biography:
Robert Alexander Muir was born in New Glasgow, NS, on May 7, 1891. He attended local schools and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in New Glasgow. He apprenticed as a pattern maker at the steel works in Trenton, NS, and began working in that trade at the Dominion Atlantic Railway yard in Kentville, NS. It was there, on March 20, 1916, that Robert enlisted in the 219th Overseas Highland Battalion that was recruiting in that part of the province.
In the spring of 1916, Robert’s detachment relocated to the large training camp at Aldershot, NS, where the various detachments of the 219th Battalion united for the first time as a unit. The battalion became a part of the newly formed Nova Scotia Highland Brigade. Training began in earnest alongside the three sister battalions of the brigade, the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), the 193rd Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) and the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders). Robert was with the 219th Battalion when the whole brigade sailed from Halifax for England on the troopship RMS Olympic in October, 1916. The brigade was established at Witley Camp in the south of England for further training. On December 29, 1916, only a couple of months after arriving in England, and just prior to the 219th Battalion being broken up to be used for reinforcements for other Canadian units, Robert was included in a draft of soldiers that were transferred to the 85th Battalion. On February 10, 1917, the 85th Battalion sailed across the English Channel and disembarked at Boulogne, France. Soon after, they found themselves in the trenches of the Western Front. On April 19, 1917, Robert was promoted to the rank of lance corporal.
On June 12, 1917, The 85th Battalion relieved another battalion on a section of the front in France known as “The Triangle” or “Electric Light Station”, in front of Angres, near Lens, in the area behind Vimy Ridge which had been captured in April. On June 19th “A” Company attacked in daylight to straighten out the line and connect up with a British unit on the left. After heavy fighting, the attack was successful but the Germans then proceeded to pound the battalion’s positions with heavy concentrated artillery fire that never let up for almost eight hours. Robert Muir was killed in action during the fighting that day. During the night, and still under fire, the 85th Battalion pulled out of the line and was relieved by another battalion. During the operation in “The Triangle” 50 men from the 85th Battalion were killed with many more were gassed and wounded.
Robert Muir was laid to rest in Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France. He was 26 years old.
Notes on the Collection:
Thanks to Hugh Muir for allowing Robert Alexander Muir's medals, cap badges and photos to be photographed and scanned for this profile. Robert Alexander Muir was Hugh Muir's grandfather's cousin.