World War, 1914-1918 -- Canada; World War, 1914-1918 -- Nova Scotia
Anderson, M.C., Capts. John
M. Hensley, E. R. Clayton, M.C., and Ross M. MacKenzie, Lieuts. Walter
U. Martel, M.M., Frank O. Hutchison, Angus D. MacDonald, Norman C.
Christie, Alexander D. Fraser, Fred J. Anderson, John R. MacFarlane, W.
H. Murr and R. Salisman, and the 123 privates and non-commissioned
officers. It was for their bravery and resourcefulness and
indomitableness—their sheer invincibility—at Passchendaele that the 85th
Battalion won from the other Units in the Canadian Corps and the
Imperials the noteworthy, if slangy, complimentary epithet, “The Never
Fails.”
[Illustration:
LIEUT. A. D. FRASER.]
[Illustration:
MAJOR P. W. ANDERSON.]
[Illustration:
CAPT. ROSS MACKENZIE.]
[Illustration:
LIEUT. A. D. MACDONALD.]
[Illustration:
LIEUT. J. R. MACFARLANE.]
[Illustration:
LIEUT. N. C. CHRISTIE.]
[Illustration:
CAPT. JOHN M. HENSLEY.]
From Passchendaele to the signing of the Armistice would furnish only
repetitions of the records of the 85th Battalion in action. It was all a
most honorable and glorious record, quite worthy to stand beside that of
Canadian Units which had seen longer service. It would not do, however,
to bring this summary narrative to a close without mentioning the
characteristics of the outstanding officers, but for whom the 85th would
not have been a reality, or would not have achieved so splendidly.
First, let it be remembered perennially that all honor and distinction
belongs to Lieut.-Col. Allison H. Borden for conceiving the idea of a
distinctly Nova Scotia Highland Battalion, and, later, a distinctly Nova
Scotia Highland Brigade. As an officer he always displayed vision and
decision, great gifts for organization; and in the Field he was a
gallant and resourceful soldier, to whom the loss of men in action was
felt as a poignant personal loss. He was awarded the Distinguished
Service Order. But posterity will gratefully remember him and honor his
name as the Organizer and Commanding Officer of the 85th Battalion, Nova
Scotia Highlanders, and the Organizer and Brigadier of the Nova Scotia
Highland Brigade. Lieut.-Col. Earle C. Phinney was a young officer, and,
in turn, filled several positions from Adjutant to Commanding Officer in
Canada and in England, and had the honor of taking the 85th to France,
where, though he had voluntarily reverted to Second in Command, he was
temporarily in Command till the arrival of Lieut.-Colonel Borden. He
made a record at Vimy for coolness and resourcefulness in the Field. In
a later engagement he was wounded, and was eventually invalided home.
Lieut.-Col. J. L. Ralston, who brought the 85th home, as Commanding
Officer, also served as Adjutant and as Commanding Officer in the Field.
He was his officers’ and men’s ideal of “the splendid soldier,” intrepid
and indomitable, and always resourceful. He was wounded several times:
and was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar to the D.S.O., and honored by the
King with the C.M.G. Lieut.-Col.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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