Military Wiki
The Cape Breton Highlanders
Active 1871–present
Country Flag of Canada Canada
Branch Militia
Type Line infantry
Role Infantry
Size One battalion
Part of 36 Canadian Brigade Group
Garrison/HQ Sydney, Nova Scotia
Motto(s) Siol na fear fearail (Gaelic: Breed Of Manly Men)
Colors Facing colour yellow
March Quick – "Highland Laddie"
Insignia
Tartan Black Watch[1]

The Cape Breton Highlanders is an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army. It was established in 1871, merged into The Nova Scotia Highlanders in 1954, and re-established as a distinct regiment in 2011.

Originally founded in 1871 as the Victoria Provisional Battalion of Infantry, it was converted to a Highland unit in 1879. It went through several name changes including: 1885 – 94th "Victoria" Battalion of Infantry, "Argyll Highlanders"; 1900 – 94th Victoria Regiment "Argyll Highlanders", and; 1920 – The Cape Breton Highlanders. In 1954, as a result of the Kennedy Report on the Reserve Army, this regiment became the 2nd Battalion of the newly amalgamated Nova Scotia Highlanders formed from its union with The North Nova Scotia Highlanders and The Pictou Highlanders. The Nova Scotia Highlanders serve to this day as an army reserve highland infantry regiment.

On January 16, 2011, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay announced that the name of the 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton) will be changed back to the Cape Breton Highlanders.[2] The army reserve unit is assigned to the 36 Canadian Brigade Group. The regiment's rebadging ceremony was held on September 10,[3] and MacKay presented the regiment its camp flag on October 2, 2011.[1]

The Cape Breton Highlanders were allied to the Cheshire Regiment and were kitted as Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) except for badges and the pipe major wore a powder horn in full dress. The regiment perpetuated the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) and 185th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) of the Canadian Expeditionary Force and held its final order of precedence as 35.

Battle honours[]

Part of a series on the
Military history of
Nova Scotia
Citadel hill
Events
Battle of Port Royal 1690
Conquest of Acadia 1710
Battle of Jeddore Harbour 1722
Northeast Coast Campaign 1745
Battle of Grand Pré 1747
Dartmouth Massacre 1751
Bay of Fundy Campaign 1755
Fall of Louisbourg 1758
Headquarters established for Royal Navy's North American Station 1758
Burying the Hatchet ceremony 1761
Battle of Fort Cumberland 1776
Raid on Lunenburg 1782
Halifax Impressment Riot 1805
Establishment of New Ireland 1812
Capture of USS Chesapeake 1813
Battle at the Great Redan 1855
Siege of Lucknow 1857
CSS Tallahassee Escape 1861
Departing Halifax for Northwest Rebellion 1885
Departing Halifax for the Boer War 1899
Imprisonment of Leon Trotsky 1917
Jewish Legion formed 1917
Sinking of HMHS Llandovery Castle 1918
Battle of the St. Lawrence 1942–44
Sinking of SS Point Pleasant Park 1945
Halifax VE-Day Riot 1945
Walter Callow Wheelchair Bus established 1947
Notable military regiments
Mi'kmaq militias 1677-1779
Acadian militias 1689-1761
40th Regiment 1717-57
Troupes de la marine 1717-58
Gorham's Rangers 1744-62
Danks' Rangers 1756-62
84th Regiment of Foot 1775-84
Royal Fencible American 1775-83
Royal Nova Scotia Volunteers 1775-83
King's Orange Rangers 1776-83
1st Field Artillery 1791-present
Royal Nova Scotia 1793-1802
Nova Scotia Fencibles 1803-16
The Halifax Rifles (RCAC) 1860-present
The Princess Louise Fusiliers 1867-present
78th Highlanders 1869-71
Cape Breton Highlanders 1871-present
Nova Scotia Rifles 1914-19
No. 2 Construction Battalion 1916-19
West Nova Scotia 1916-present
The Nova Scotia Highlanders 1954-present
Other

Order of precedence[]

A beer tap displaying Blackwatch Ale at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 53 in Baddeck, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Cape Breton Highlander's tartan is the namesake of Blackwatch Ale, a beer sold exclusively at the Royal Canadian Legion in Baddeck, Cape Breton.

Preceded by
Le Régiment du Saguenay
Cape Breton Highlanders Succeeded by
The Algonquin Regiment

References[]

  • Barnes, RM, The Uniforms and History of the Scottish Regiments, London, Sphere Books Limited, 1972.

External links[]


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