Group of Victoria County Soldiers

185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders)

Canada

1916

Studio portrait photo of five young Victoria County soldiers from the 185th Battalion. It was taken in Canada before they went overseas. When 185th Battalion was disbanded in England, all of the men were transferred to Canadian units currently fighting at the front.

Front Row, Seated, Left to Right:

1.   878342 Pte. Roderick (Roddie) MacLeod, South Gut St. Ann’s, Victoria County, Cape Breton
Wounded in action in June, 1918, while serving with the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles).
Received gunshot wounds to his face and hand.

2.   878340 Pte. John Gesner, North River Bridge, Victoria County, Cape Breton
Born in Boston but moved to Canada as a child.
Killed in action in France on August 9, 1918, while serving with the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles).

Back Row, Left to Right:

1.   878346 Pte. Alexander (Alex) Miles McLeod, North Gut St. Ann’s, Victoria County, Cape Breton
Wounded on February 28, 1918, while serving with the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles).
He was shot in the thigh in their billet when another soldier’s rifle accidentally discharged.

2.   878067 Pte. Murdoch Daniel McLeod, South Gut St. Ann’s, Victoria County, Cape Breton
Wounded in the shoulder on August 29, 1918, while serving with the Royal Canadian Regiment.

3.   878343 Pte. Wilfred Laurier Morrison, Englishtown, Victoria County, Cape Breton
Killed in action on August 18, 1917, while serving with the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles).

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  15-11 (2-1.3)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Jim MacDonald/Donald Hamm