Holiday Greeting Card

Christmas 1917 - New Year 1918

185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders)

The two flaps on the front open up to reveal a photo and a holiday message. The left flap has a stylized crest for the 185th Battalion. The right flap has a stylized message.

Ref. Number:  0-6 (4-5)
Image Information:  Scan of original holiday greeting card
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection

Card Contents - Page 1

The photo image inside the holiday greeting card shows the colours of the 185^th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) and the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), hanging on a wall inside Witley Church in Surrey, England. Both units were training at nearby Witley Camp. Following military tradition, the colours were deposited in the church for safe keeping until the battalions returned to reclaim them at a later time.

On December 3, 2022 the current Cape Breton Highlanders deposited their old Colours in Knox Presbyterian Church in Baddeck, NS. Baddeck is considered the birthplace of the 94^th Victoria Regiment “Argyll Highlanders” which later reorganized into the Cape Breton Highlanders. With a new reigning monarch, King Charles III, the Cape Breton Highlanders will receive new colours.

Card Contents - Page 2

A holiday greeting from the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) who at the time were at Witley Camp in England. It is signed by Pte. Cecil T. Blenkhorne, a soldier of the 185th Battalion.

Cecil Thomas Blenkhorne was born on May 11, 1891 in Athol, Cumberland County, NS. He was living in Athol and working as a telegraph operator when he enlisted in the 193^rd Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) on March 8, 1916. He held the rank of private and was given the service number 90117. He went overseas to England with the 193^rd Battalion in October of that year. Shortly after arriving in England the 193^rd Battalion was disbanded and its personnel were utilized as reinforcements for other Canadian units. As a result, at the end of December, 1916, Cecil was transferred to the 185^th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders). The 185^th Battalion were stationed at Witley Camp in southern England.  When the 185^th Battalion was also disbanded in early 1918, Cecil was transferred briefly to the 17^th Reserve Battalion before being posted to the 85^th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) in France. He joined the 85^th in the field in March of 1918. In August he became ill and was eventually declared medically unfit for further service. He was returned to Canada in December 1918.