85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
Halifax Nova Scotia Highland Jacket |
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85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders, Halifax Nova Scotia, Highland jacket. The jacket is standard Other Rank's highland-cut British 5-button pattern, with 85th Battalion 4th Canadian Division formation patches. The tunic is Canadian made, and is marked "C" Broad Arrow on the green partial lining.
Although the 85th was a highland Battalion, they did not start receiving kilts until late-June or early-July 1918. The official kilt for the 85th was Argyle and Sutherland tartan, which appears at first similar to the Black Watch kilt, however the Argyle and Sutherland had box pleats while the Black watch had pointed pleats. According to publications by November 1918 kilts were no longer issued to highland Battalions are were replaced by trousers.
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| The shoulder displays a 85th Bn 4th Canadian Division formation patch on each shoulder. The distinctive 85th Bn collar badges are darkened brass. |
| A close-up of the wool 85th Bn 4th Canadian Division formation patch on each shoulder. |  | |
 | A close-up of one of the 85th Bn collar badges. | |
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| The matching 85th Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders jacket and Steel Helmet Mark 1 with painted 85th Bn formation patch. There is a collector's "myth" that these mustard-yellow 85th Btln helmets were painted this way for the victory parade in 1919, but I have been yet to discover any documentation. What is a fact, is that every single 85th Btln helmet found locally in Nova Scotia, out of the woodwork or from families, is mustard-yellow with painted formation patches like the example above. |
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