Battalion Photo

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Camp Aldershot, NS

1916

In the centre of the photo, on horseback, is the commanding officer of the 85th Battalion, Lt-Col. Earle Caleb Phinney.

To Phinney's immediate right, also on horseback, is Major James Layton Ralston. Ralston later commanded the 85th Battalion in France and brought the unit home. He was wounded in action on four different occasions, was twice mentioned in Despatches and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order and Bar. After the war, Ralston went into politics and became Canada's Minister of Defence from 1926 to 1930, Finance Minister from 1939 to 1940, and Minister of Defence again from 1940 to 1944.

In the photo, the battalion is grouped into the four companies, from left to right, "A", "B", "C" and "D" Companies. The commanding officer for each company is on horseback in front of their company.

On the far left, on horseback in front of "A" Company, is Major John Angus MacKenzie.

On horseback in front of "B" Company, is believed to be Capt. John Armitage.

On horseback in front of "C" Company, is Major Fred Warren Miller.

On horseback in front of "D" Company, is Capt. Percival William Anderson from Big Baddeck, Victoria County, NS. The men from "D" Company were recruited almost exclusively from Cape Breton. Anderson distinguished himself during the Battle for Vimy Ridge in April, 1917, when he led the 85th Battalion's assault which captured Hill 145, the highest point and the last remaining German hold out on the ridge. He was awarded a Military Cross for his actions that day. Anderson was later killed in action at Passchendaele on October 30, 1917.

Photographer:  W.G. MacLaughlan, Halifax, NS
Ref. Number:  0-4 (11-4-1.2)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection