The Cape Breton Highlanders
The 2nd Bn Nova Scotia Highlanders (CB)
The Family Tree of Highland Regiments
94th Victoria Regiment"Argyll Highlanders" |
85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders |
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Cape Breton Highlanders |
2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton) |
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The Battalion was organized on October 13, 1871 as The Victoria Provisional Battalion of Infantry from four independent companies. Headquarters of this new unit was established at Baddeck, Victoria County, Cape Breton-hence the name. The ranks were filled predominantly by Highlanders, the descendants of Scots who had emigrated from the Duke of Argyll's estates. After a slight change in redesignation the unit officially became a Highland battalion on December 12, 1879. A few months later, on April 9, 1880, a further redesignation bound the unit to its Argyll ancestry by bearing The Victoria Provisional Battalion of Infantry "Argyll Highlanders" and in 1890, it was numbered " 94th " in the list of Canadian Militia Units. 
The 85th Battalion served in France and Flanders with The 12th Infantry Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, from February 10, 1917 until the Armistice. The remaining Battalions provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field. The 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) participated in every battle in which 4th Division engaged and forged an enviable reputation as a first class fighting unit. The 85th Battalion distinguished itself at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, with the capture of Hill 145, considered a pivotal enemy stronghold.
Canadian Expedition Forces battalion was authorized on the1st of Feb.1916, as the second of four Battalions that made up the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade. The brigade was part of the 5th Canadian Division. The battalion was assembled in the deserted mining town of Broughton Cape Breton, where accommodations were available.
Following the First World War, the Militia was reorganized and on April 1, 1920 the Unit was re designated The Cape Breton Highlanders which was to perpetuate the 94th Regiment , 85th and 185th Battalions. On April 1, 1932, following a request from the Regiment, permission was granted The Cape Breton Highlanders to adopt the uniform, with the exception of the regimental badge of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), thus cementing the 94th's earlier relationship with that famous British regiment. 
Following the Second World War, the unit resumed its militia status. In 1954, Nova Scotia's 3 Highland Regiments: the Pictou Highlanders, North Nova Scotia Highlanders, and the Cape Breton Highlanders were amalgamated to form The Nova Scotia Highlanders. On September 15th, the Cape Breton Highlanders was thus designated "2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders" and on June 21, 1955 "2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton)".