The band was the descendant of the old Albion Mines (Stellarton) Band, established in the ’40’s of the last century, and having a continuous history of nearly three-quarters of a century to date. It was for years the regimental band of the 78th Pictou Highlanders. Lieut.-Colonel Borden, commanding the 85th, asked Lieut. Dan. Mooney, bandmaster of the Stellarton or 78th Band, to organize a band for the 85th. The original personnel of the 85th Band, the personnel which went Overseas with the Battalion, was: Lieut. Dan. Mooney, Bandmaster; Sergt. J. C. Profitt, Corpls. W. D. MacLeod and Alex. Myers, Ptes. A. H. MacDougall, R. H. Roy, Ronald MacDougall, E. B. Mitchell (did not sail), R. Y. Geddes, C. A. MacDonald, A. J. Fraser, T. R. Roy, J. W. Henderson, T. B. Davidson (died in France), C. W. Appleton, H. P. Barnes, F. T. Freeman, J. J. Gray, T. Mason, C. A. (“Chud”) MacDonald, A. R. MacDonald, A. A. MacDougall, J. R. Munro, H. H. Murray, C. E. Purves, G. A. Rackham, W. D. Jamieson, F. A. Ryan, W. P. Cameron, Joseph Smith, James Roy, D. W. Cameron, W. E. Gallagher, F. D. Mooney, A. F. Gallant, W. Dunn (did not sail, died later), Sergt. J. D. Logan. This band was distinguished in musicianship by _versatility_, _virtuosity_ and _brilliancy_. It had acquired a notable reputation for these qualities in Canada, and when Overseas, in England, where it was in demand by towns near Camp Witley, for social functions of a semi-military or war-propaganda nature. The Director of Musical Services, who came to Camp Witley, to hear and conduct the band at rehearsal said of it, in writing: “_It is the best band that has come Overseas from Canada_,” and remarked specially on its precision in attack, its unanimity, its dynamic qualities and nuancing, and its brilliancy. Now, bands in camp and rest quarters are regarded as good for the morale of Units, but generally were considered as impedimenta (or superfluous baggage) with a Unit active in the Field. But the officers and men of the 85th were insistent in their outspoken demand—“We want our band.” The problem was how to keep the band from being broken up, and how to get the bandsmen, with their instruments, into France. It was achieved by the characteristic resourcefulness of the Commanding Officer and officers. When the 85th crossed to France the band was not on the establishment. The bandsmen, however, were brought over on the strength as fighting men, and the instruments came along too, somehow mysteriously, as part of the Quartermaster’s stores (Capt. Robert Donaldson was Quartermaster—and a kinder and more resourceful Quartermaster there was not in the Canadian Corps). The bandsmen and their instruments being in France, their fixed place on the establishment of the Battalion was finally adjusted by the authorities.