The North Nova Scotia Highlanders
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it remains largely unverified because it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (March 2013) |
| The North Nova Scotia Highlanders | |
|---|---|
 Badge of The North Nova Scotia Highlanders | |
| Active | 1936–1954 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Militia (1936-1940) Canadian Army (1940-1954) |
| Type | Line Infantry |
| Role | Infantry |
| Size | One battalion |
| Part of | Non-Permanent Active Militia (1936-1940) Royal Canadian Infantry Corps (1942-1954) |
| Garrison/HQ | Amherst, Nova Scotia |
| Motto(s) | Cos Cheum Nach Gabh Tilleadh |
| Colors | Facing colour white |
| March | Quick – The Atholl Highlanders |
| Engagements | Second World War |
| Insignia | |
| Tartan | Murray of Atholl |
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders was an infantry regiment of the Canadian Army founded in 1936. In 1954, it was amalgamated with The Pictou Highlanders and 189 LAA RCA Battery to form 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North).[1]
History[]
Founded in 1936 as The North Nova Scotia Highlanders (M.G.) by the amalgamation of The Cumberland Highlanders, The Colchester and Hants Regiment, and 'C' Company, 6th Machine-Gun Battalion, it acquired its present title in 1941. The regiment landed on Juno beach on D-Day, assigned to 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division. In 1954, as a result of the Kennedy Report on the Reserve Army, this regiment was amalgamated The Pictou Highlanders and 189 LAA RCA Battery to form 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North).[1]
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders before Amalgamation held its final Order of Precedence as 34.[2]
Lineage[]
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders[]
- Originated in Amherst, Nova Scotia, 6 April 1871 as the Cumberland Provisional Battalion of Infantry
- Redesignated as the 93rd Cumberland Battalion of Infantry, 12 June 1885
- Redesignated as the 93rd Cumberland Regiment, on 8 May 1900
- Redesignated as The Cumberland Regiment, 29 March 1920
- Redesignated as The Cumberland Highlanders, 15 June 1927
- Amalgamated on 1 December 1936 with The Colchester and Hants Regiment (less 'C Company') and C Company of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, CMGC (now The Princess Louise Fusiliers) and redesignated as The North Nova Scotia Highlanders (Machine Gun)
- Redesignated as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders (Machine Gun), 7 November 1940
- Redesignated as the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion, The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 7 March 1941
- Redesignated as The North Nova Scotia Highlanders, 1 May 1946.
- Amalgamated on 12 November 1954 with The Pictou Highlanders (Motor) and the 189th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, RCA as the 1st Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (North).[3]
Alliances and Uniform[]
The North Nova Scotia Highlanders were allied to the South Staffordshire Regiment and were kitted with a blue glengarry with diced border, scarlet doublet, white sporran with five black points, scarlet & green hose, green garter flashes with full dress only for pipers and drummers.[2]
Perpetuations[]
The regiment perpetuated the following units:
The Great War[]
- 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), CEF
- 106th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), CEF
- 193rd Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), CEF[1][2]
Battle honours[]
Only uppercase honours are displayed on the guidon.
- War of 1812
- DEFENCE OF CANADA – 1812–1815 (honorary distinction)
- Boer War
- First World War
|
|
- Second World War
|
|
|
Ardenne Abbey Massacre[]
During the Second World War, Major General Kurt Meyer of the Waffen SS murdered captured soldiers from the regiment.[5] After the war he was tried and convicted in Canada. Sentenced to death on 28 December 1945, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment on 14 January 1946.[6] After serving nearly nine years in prison, Meyer was released on 7 September 1954.[7]
References[]
- ^ a b c "Guide to Sources Relating to the Canadian Militia (Infantry, Cavalry, Armored)" (PDF).
- ^ a b c Barnes, Major R.M. (1972). The Uniforms and History of the Scottish Regiments. London: Sphere Books Limited.
- ^ Defence, National (2018-10-30). "The Nova Scotia Highlanders". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2021-12-15.
- ^ "Battle Honours of South African War (Militia)". www.regimentalrogue.com. Retrieved 2021-12-19.
- ^ "Nova Scotia ex-POW Dudka dies". CBC News. 2008-03-07. Retrieved 2013-08-10.
Sgt. Dudka, born in New Glasgow, was captured after the D-Day invasion and was among those who helped convict SS Gen. Kurt Meyer in the execution of Canadian prisoners of war.
- ^ Brode, 106.
- ^ Campbell, 160.
Bibliography[]
- Barnes, RM, The Uniforms and History of the Scottish Regiments, London, Sphere Books Limited, 1972.
- Brode, Patrick. "Casual Slaughters and Accidental Judgments: Canadian War Crimes Prosecutions, 1944-1948." Toronto: The Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History, 1997.
- Campbell, Ian. "Murder at the Abbaye: The Story of Twenty Canadian Soldiers Murdered at the Abbaye d’Ardenne." Ottawa: The Golden Dog Press, 1996.
- Volume 3, Part 2: Infantry Regiments – THE NOVA SCOTIA HIGHLANDERS
Further reading[]
- Will R. Bird. "No retreating footsteps: the story of the North Novas." Kentville, NS: Kentville Publishing Company, 1946
- Pearce, Donald. "Journal of a War: North-West Europe, 1944–1945." Toronto: Macmillan, 1965.
External links[]
- Former infantry regiments of Canada
- Highland & Scottish regiments of Canada
- Highland regiments
- Military units and formations established in 1936
- Amherst, Nova Scotia
- Military units and formations of Canada in World War II
- Military units and formations disestablished in 1954
- Military regiments raised in Nova Scotia
- Military units and formations of Nova Scotia