Two 85th Battalion Soldiers

Circa 1916

This is an interesting studio photo of two soldiers from the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). It was probably taken in early 1916, shortly after the formation of the battalion. The original photo was captioned “Long and Short of 85th Battalion.” On the left is Pte. Henry Percival Barnes of Halifax, NS, who was a member of the regimental brass band. The man on the right has not been positively identified.

The only items of wear that identify these men as being from a highland regiment are the new khaki tam o’shanters with feathers. Note that the 85th Battalion cap badges have not yet been issued. The rest of the uniforms are standard early army pattern issue.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-2 (2-10.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Source:  Library and Archives Canada PA-030243
 

Two WW1 Canadian Soldiers

Circa 1918-1919

This is a studio portrait photo of two unidentified First World War soldiers taken sometime late in the war or shortly after. It was probably taken in Europe.

The man on the right is from the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). On his head he wears a late war issue dark blue balmoral with diced banding and trimmed feathers. As per regulations, the hat was intended for officers but, as evidenced from the photo, it appears to have been worn by some enlisted men as well. He wears the highland cut standard British pattern tunic. On his legs are diced hose tops worn with khaki spats. He is missing his waist belt and sporran.

The man on the left is from an unidentified unit. He also wears the standard British pattern tunic (non highland version).

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  13-7 (1-23.2)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Stephen Horne Collection, 2013 
 

Unidentified Soldier

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1918-1919

The photo was taken near the end or just after the end of the war. The location is unknown. The 85th Battalion collar and shoulder badges are clearly visible. The three stripes on his arm are years of service chevrons.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-4 (8-1-10.2)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection
 

Two Soldiers

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1918-1919

This photo was taken near the end or shortly after the end of the war. The location is unknown but may be France or Belgium. Written on the back of the original photo was "Prudent Sampson and Friend".

It is believed the man standing on the right is Prudent Sampson who was born on August 30, 1892, in the small community of Poirierville, located on Isle Madame in Richmond County, Cape Breton. He enlisted in the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) in Sydney, on March 7, 1916, and went overseas with them on the SS Olympic in October of the same year. Later, after the 185th Battalion was disbanded in England, Prudent transferred to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). He joined that battalion on May 10, 1918 in France.

The man seated is unidentified.

The men are wearing kilts and standard five button highland cut tunics with 1908 pattern web belts. Kilts were issued to the battalion in July of 1918 and were proudly worn throughout the remainder of the war. Note that the feathers in their balmorals have been cut short as per late war regulations. In earlier years the feathers were very long.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-4 (3-1.2)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection
 

Unidentified Soldier

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1916-1917

This lance corporal wears a khaki tam o'shanter with cap badge and long feather, and the 1913 Canadian seven button service dress jacket. The leather waist belt is from the Dismounted Equipment 1916 pattern. This was standard dress issued to the battalions of the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade upon their formation. He is holding a cane. The photo was probably taken in Canada or England.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  13-7 (1-50.3)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Stephen Horne Collection, 2013 
 

Two Unidentified Soldiers

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1918-1919

This is a studio portrait photo of two unidentified 85th Battalion soldiers taken sometime late in the war or shortly after. It was probably taken in France or Belgium.

Both men wear khaki tam o'shanters with cap badges and feathers. The feathers have been trimmed as per late war regulations. The men wear highland cut standard British pattern tunics with kilts and sporrans. Unfortunately the sporran badge on the man on the right has been "blotted out". On their legs they wear diced hose tops with khaki spats. The man on the left is missing his belt. The man on the right appears to be wearing a leather belt. Note the vertical wound stripe on the lower sleeve of the man on the right. 

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  13-7 (1-17.2)
Image Information: Scan of original photo postcard
Source:  Stephen Horne Collection, 2013 
 

Two Unidentified Soldiers

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1918-1919

This is a great studio portrait photo of two unidentified 85th Battalion soldiers taken sometime late in the war or shortly after. It was probably taken in France or Belgium.

Both men wear khaki tam o'shanters with cap badges and feathers. The feathers have been trimmed as per late war regulations. The men wear highland cut standard pattern British five button tunics, kilts and 1908 pattern web belts. They are not wearing sporrans. On their legs they wear khaki hose tops with puttees. 

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-4 (8-1-12.2)
Image Information: Scan of original photo
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection
 

Pte. Earle Whidden Demmons

85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Circa 1918-1919

Pte. Demmons was from Waternish, Guysborough County, NS, and joined the 85th Battalion on November 18, 1918, several days after the war ended. This studio portrait photo was probably taken in Belgium after he joined the unit.

Pte. Demmons wears a khaki tam o'shanter with cap badge and trimmed feather as per late war regulations. He wears a highland cut standard pattern British five button tunic, kilt and 1908 pattern web belt. On his legs are are khaki hose tops with puttees.

For a detailed biography of Earle Demmons, refer to Bruce MacDonald's excellent blog: First World War Veterans of Guysborough County

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  16-3 (3-1.2)
Image Information: Received as electronic file
Source:  Bruce MacDonald