The initial Canadian corps was comprised of two divisions, totalling a strength of roughly 25,000 men. Included in this was the 25th battalion, Nova Scotia regiment, which was formed just after the declaration of war in August, 1914. There was a bid made to form the 25th as a highland regiment, but due to the common feeling that the war would only last a few short months, the request was denied. Despite this, the 25th reformed the 78th highlanders’ pipes and drums, who had served as part of the 78th highlanders, stationed in Halifax from 1867. This gave Nova Scotia a highland presence without a full highland regiment overseas.
Moving forward to 1915, the war was still being fought, this time in the trenches. The terrors of trench warfare were becoming more apparent, with gas, machine guns, and precision artillery cutting swaths through the armies of both sides. Recruitment had been down, with battles like Ypres and Gallipoli terrifying men out of uniform. The CEF needed reinforcements and more battalions to fill the newly approved 4th division, and Nova Scotia was going to send more boys and men. On September 14th, 1915, Lieutenant-Colonel Bordon received approval to form the 85th battalion, along with permission to raise them as a highland regiment. What followed was the highest turnout of recruits anywhere in the empire outside of the home islands, standing 200 over strength at first mobilization on October 14th.
Moving forward to 1915, the war was still being fought, this time in the trenches. The terrors of trench warfare were becoming more apparent, with gas, machine guns, and precision artillery cutting swaths through the armies of both sides. Recruitment had been down, with battles like Ypres and Gallipoli terrifying men out of uniform. The CEF needed reinforcements and more battalions to fill the newly approved 4th division, and Nova Scotia was going to send more boys and men. On September 14th, 1915, Lieutenant-Colonel Bordon received approval to form the 85th battalion, along with permission to raise them as a highland regiment. What followed was the highest turnout of recruits anywhere in the empire outside of the home islands, standing 200 over strength at first mobilization on October 14th.