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MG 20.5 · Fonds · 1910 - 1990

Collection consists of materials related to The Cape Breton Highlanders, including photographs, recruitment ledgers, rolls and daily orders, correspondence, regimental histories, programs, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings and the World War 2 war diaries.

The Cape Breton Highlanders (CBH)
25th Battalion "B" Co.
Item · 8 August, 1918

Item is the nominal roll "B" for the 25th Battalion at the Battle of Ameion on August 8th, 1918. The men listed each fall under one of the following designations: Headquarters; 5th Platoon; 6th Platoon; 7th Platoon; and 8th Platoon.

Sgt. Charles J. MacLean
CA BI MG 15.20 · Fonds · 1932

Fonds consists of the following poem, written on Armistice Day, 1932:

Do You Remember?

I see by the news in this morning's papers
The God of War is again cutting capers.
The nations, we're told, are all ready for battle;
At a drop of a hat the sabers will rattle;
But before we'll enlist, and our knapsacks stow
Let's see what happened just a few years ago.
A prince or a pauper was shot in fourteen.
At that time the blood was just a small stream;
From that to a river, then to a cascade
And for four bloody years not a whit did it fade.
Remember Ypres, that line with a curve?
In that salient plenty died, their country to serve.
And Mons, the battle, that was a retreat!;
Some called it victory, some others defeat.
It was not for us to decide who was right;
We were just there for one thing, and that was to fight
And while in that sector don't forget Sillibeck
Where death stood by and with fingers did beck.
He collected his thousands at bleak St. Eloi;
Passchendale and Kemmel must have filled him with joy.
He gathered his full quota at old Dicie Bouche,
Before, after, and at the end of the push.

Remember Cloth Hall and torn Ypres Square
That you crossed by good luck, or maybe a prayer?
Then Hell Fire Corner was your destination;
Will you ever forget there that field dressing station
That you passed so swiftly, just holding your breath,
For to stop there an instant was almost sure death?
But move farther south and of time make a bridge;
Let's see what happened around Vimy Ridge.
White crosses bear evidence of that awful slaughter;
Why, blood was so plenty, it ran just like water.
And Crucifix Corner, far up on the way
To the saving Victim you had this to say,
"Open wide the Gate of Heaven to us below
Thy aid supply, Thy strength bestow."
Did you forget the fronts ahead of Bruay,
Boveeney, Hersin Compeeniee, and Ester Cushay,
Lens, Arras, Mericourt and Bethune,
Monchy, Carency, not forgetting Bapune?
This was no Gettysburg, nor yet Waterloo,
But a continuous battle, all the way through.
Now, let's stop at Amiens, that city so fair
And ponder awhile on those buried there;
The flower of youth who was so impatient
To lay down his life for his very own nation;
For Democracy to guard, and always to keep.
I don"t know whether to laugh ...... or ......to weep.

Now on to the Somme, and to Courselette; ,
Things happened there you'll never forget.
Remember the town Albert, with just a few people,
And the Virgin bent over the old church steeple?
With outstretched arms she watched you go by
As if praying for those about to die.
And maybe, as they looked far above,
Said, "Touch my spirit, 0 Fountain of love."
After the battle you passed on that street.
There she was, lying down at your feet,
All covered with mud, battered and broken;
A piece in your pocket you took for a token.
Of course you picture with some alarm
The remains of your buddies at Molke's farm.
If your mind is clear and can still bear the load,
Just think of the dead along Sunken Road.
And the sugar refinery that once was so sweet,
Where the flies started on sugar, but ended with meat.
In those battles we thought we were awful good,
But the Yanks did the same down Belleau Wood.
Now down in that sector I am not familiar,
But you can take it from me it was just similar.
With valor and courage they fought Chateau Thiery;
That they won the baltle is still the old theory.
If you ask my opinion no battle is won
With bombs or sabres, cannon or gun;
For it's got to be finished the lame and the blind.
The nerve broken vets, the lame and the blind.

A million lie dead down in Verdun;
They called it a victory and a fight well done.
If that is the case, to that I retort,
"Bring Back my buddies, you take the fort!"
But what's the use of talking and taking your time?
There are as many heroes across on the Rhine;
And in Austria, Russia, and Turkey too;
In Italy, Spain, and down in Peru.
What we were fighting for, excuse the pun,
We were not mad with Austrian, Turk, or Hun.
Just because a prince got rubbed out with some lead
They crippled and maimed and left five million dead.
Now before I finish let me you remind
Of the trenches, the vermin, the gas and the grind;
The funkholes, the sunkholes, the shellholes and craters
Also the liquid fires that were merely crematers.
The lousy dugout, the miner's wet sap,
The listening post by the wire just out at the gap,
Where you lay there and shivered without even a grumble
If you'd anything to shoot at, the chance is you'd fumble.
Do you remember the mud, the muck and the rain -
Number nines from the doctor to cure all your pain?
Just listen to me-war's not what it's painted-
The rations were bad, the water was tainted.
Can't you hear still the scream of the big shells,
As your haIr stood on end and your blood it did jell?
The rattle of machine guns, the crump of the motor,
The cry of the wounded just pleading for water.
What about the coal boxes, the fish tails and stokes
With a number on them for some of the blokes?
The swish of the whiz bang, the moan of the dying
You were there, Buddy, you know I'm not lying.
Now about the wounded still walking our streets;
Maybe to some life is still sweet.
To others life, I know, must be near zero.
Well, what do you expect? You're just a live hero
Don't you remember at the end of the war,
You got a gold medal, and also a bar?
For the others, I mean the ones that are dead
Will give you a requiem of sights, and tears that are shed
By mothers, and sisters, or maybe a wife,
Sweetheart, brother, or dad, bet your life.
So you thought you're a hero! For crying out loud!
Why, you old sap, you're just one of the crowd!
Don't talk war to me; just hold your whist.
Let's stow our knapsacks. What say we enlist?

MacLean, Charles J.
Item · 1993

Item is a report titled "Moxham's Castle - Once a Proud Structure," written by Wanda Walker. It provides a history of the castle, including a brief coverage on the period of time during World War 1 when it was used as a military hospital. Much of the information within the report was gathered from an interview with Gabrielle Walker.

CA BI UA 602 B5 R8 · Item · 1986

Item is a book titled "Canada's Black Battalion No. 2 Construction 1916-1920," written by Calvin W. Ruck. The book provides information about African Canadians who served in World War 1, and highlights their roles and the obstacles that they faced.

Item · 1985

Item is a report titled "2nd Battalion: The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton) 1871-1985," written by Col. I.D. MacIntyre. The report provides information about the history of the Nova Scotia Highlanders, and outlines their contribution during World War 1, including the raising of battalions and the battles in which said battalions participated.

Old Home Week Parade
CA BI 77-162-296 · Item · 1935

Item is a photograph of nurses walking down a street during the Old Home Week Parade in Sydney. Frances (Dodd) Ridgway has been identified in the second row on the right.

CA BI PAM 3973 · Item · 1992

Item is a pamphlet published by the Government of Canada's Communications Division of Veterans Affairs, written by Cedric Jennings. It outlines Canada's role in World War 1 and at the Battle of Vimy Ridge and is written in French and English.

CA BI PAM 716 · Item · 1 April, 1967

Item is a special edition of the Cape Breton Post magazine that focuses on the storming and taking of Vimy Ridge, commemorating the fifty year anniversary of the battle.

CA BI PAM 2008 · Item · 1914

Item is a pamphlet titled "Diplomatic Correspondence Respecting the War" which was published by the French government. The pamphlet includes transcriptions of documents relating to the negotiations which preceded Germany's declaration of war on Russia and on France. The pamphlet's table of content's reveals each document's summary, signatory, and place and date of dispatch.

CA BI PAM 1096 · Item · 1935

Item is a pamphlet created in memoriam of Rev. John Pringle. The pamphlet includes accounts of Rev. Pringle's time spent overseas during World War 1, as well as an account of his son's death during service.

CA BI Pam 3533 · Item · 1920

Item consists of a pamphlet concerning the reintegration of World War 1 servicemen into civilian life. It includes information about acquiring financial assistance, agricultural training, how to purchase land, and transportation rates.

Raemaekers' Cartoons
CA BI PAM 892 · Item · 1914

Item is a pamphlet containing a collection of Louis Raemaeker sketches related to World War 1. The sketches were inspired by a variety of topics, including the killing of women and children, the death of soldiers, zeppelin attacks, and finance.

CA BI PAM 1003 · Item

Item is a pamphlet containing a collection of wartime songs, some written about the Cape Breton Highlanders. Many of the songs within the pamphlet were written by people from Cape Breton.

The Canadian Gunner, Vol. 13
CA BI PAM 1663 · Item · 1977

Item is volume 13 of the Canadian Gunner, which includes an article titled "Remembering Cape Breton's Gunners," by Lt. Peter N. Moogk. The article features a short history of artillery use on Cape Breton Island, including the locations where artillery stations were located.

CA BI PAM 1038 · Item · 1916

Item is a pamphlet containing a report on the typhus epidemic at Wittenberg Camp. The report was presented to the British Government and outlines the conditions at the Wittenberg Camp and how they contributed to the 1915 epidemic.

CA BI PAM 4061 · Item · 1 December, 1918

Item is a pamphlet, published by the Personnel of the U.S. Naval Air Station in North Sydney, on December 1st, 1918. The pamphlet contains the staff muster roll, some pieces of poetry, jokes, and an editorial.

CA BI PAM 533 · Item · 1916

Item is a pamphlet outlining a plan submitted by the Secretary of the Military Hospitals and Convalescent Homes Commission to provide employment to servicemen upon their return to Canada. The report outlines the need for governments to provide new employment opportunities and training for those who have returned from World War 1 service with disabilities.

CA BI PAM 1026 · Item · 1919

Item is a pamphlet concerning the history of the Fourth Canadian Division from 1916 to 1919. The pamphlet includes battle orders and a list of dates of interest.

CA BI PAM 3972 · Item · 1982

Item is a pamphlet on Canada's role in World War 1, written by Patricia Giesler. This item is written in both French and English and provides information about conflict on land, air, and sea, as well as details about war memorials.

CA BI PAM 4043 · Item · 2002

Item is a pamphlet which features "A Cape Bretoner at War: Letters From the Front 1914-1919," an article by Brian Douglas Tennyson. The article contains information about Percy Charles Willmot and his experience serving overseas, which was documented through letters. This piece was originally published in Canadian Military History, Volume 11.1.

Military (General) 1915
CA BI SB 125B · Item · 1985-1998

Item is a scrapbook that features newspaper clippings related to various military activities between the years 1914 and 1986. Included in the scrapbook are the following clippings: "Magnificent Moxham's Castle in Sydney used as a convalescent hospital in WW1" (November 9, 1985); The Army Lowdown on Colour (n.d.); Copy of the Military Service Act, 1917 (n.d.); "A Comrade Remembered : "Letters to home from France in World War I" (November 7, 1990); "Lest We Forget: Archibald Andrew MacLellan, Pte. MacDougall, Donald Andrew MacLellan, Angus MacFarlane" (November 7, 1990); "Served their country well" (November 10, 1990); "Legion honours war hero: John Bernard Croak" (July 5, 1996); and "Nursing sister honours vets: Wartime bravery remembered at ceremony" (November 17, 1995).

Woman on horse
CA BI 84-112-14212 · Item · 1914-1920

Item is a photograph of a woman, likely a nurse, on a horse during World War 1.

"General Byng"
CA BI 78-420-2170 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph of the schooner "General Byng," taken during its construction during the First World War.

Lt. John Pringle
CA BI 78-1150-2900 · Item · ca. 1917

Item is a photograph of Lt. (also Rev.) John Pringle in uniform sitting in the trenches during the First World War. He is surrounded by various personal effects including a rifle and coat. He is identified in a typed caption at the top of the photograph.

Weston and Son
Halifax, May 16, 1919
84-61-14161 · Item · 1919

Item is a postcard showing the return of the 25th Battalion of the CEF to Halifax on May 16, 1919 after the end of the First World War. Soldiers participating in the parade are noted to be carrying a Maj. Matheson, visible on the shoulders of one of the men in the bottom right corner of the photograph. A handwritten note on the photo credits it to one "F.G. Goodenough". The ship from which the soldiers are disembarking is partially visible in the background.

84-704-14804 · Item · 1914-1918

Item is a photographic postcard showing the Headquarters of the 185th Cape Breton Highlanders in Broughton during the First World War. A heading below the photo identifies the Broughton Arms and General Offices.

Military Funeral
CA BI 80-762-4942 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph showing the first military funeral from Sacred Heart Church during World War 1. Soldiers and marching band on Charlotte Street and in front of a church are pictured. Photograph appears to have been taken from a second storey building looking out on the street.

Military Funeral
CA BI 80-764-4944 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph showing the first military funeral from Sacred Heart Church during World War 1. Photo was taken by an unknown photographer next to an open grave and shows a partially obscured officer standing in the left foreground and a number of soldiers with raised rifles.

Military Funeral
CA BI 80-765-4945 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph showing the first military funeral from Sacred Heart Church during World War 1. Photo shows a crowd of non-military men, women, and children, likely following the procession.

Military Funeral
CA BI 80-766-4946 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph showing the first military funeral from Sacred Heart Church during World War 1. Photo was taken by an unknown photographer, possibly from the second storey of a building opposite Sacred Heart Church, and shows the large assembly outside Sacred Heart.

CA BI 81-229-5299 · Item · 1918

Item is a photograph of the Sydney Academy Cadet Corps. Judge George Morrison is identified as the fifth from left in the front row, seated to the right of the boy with the trophy.

Moxham's Castle/Hospital
81-853-5933 · Item · 1919

Item is a photograph of the rear of Moxham's Castle taken after the end of World War 1. During the war, the castle served as a military hospital.

81-854-5934 · Item · 1919

Item is a photograph of four medical personnel officers inside Moxham's Castle, where they were stationed during World War 1 when the castle functioned as a military hospital.

CA BI 77-433-567 · Item · ca.1914

Item is a photographic postcard of a rear view of the Broughton Arms Hotel with roughly 22 soldiers assembled in a loose line.

Broughton Arms Hotel
CA BI 77-432-566 · Item · ca. 1914

Item is a photograph of the Broughton Arms Hotel with soldiers during WWI.

185th Battalion, Broughton
81-1605-6685 · Item · ca. 1915

Item is a postcard of the 185th Battalion marching in Broughton, Cape Breton during World War 1. The soldiers in full uniform are marching past the rear of the Broughton Arms Hotel, which is visible in the background.