The 73rd Regiment (From
KarlSack, CDFSG
Post March 17, 2006)
The parent regiment of this battalion (as well as of the 13th
and 42nd) was the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada. This regiment
was organized in Montreal in 1862. Since 1905 it has been allied
with the Black Watch, and those overseas battalions bear that
ancient name and carry on its proud prestige. In forming the
battalion, Lt.-Col. Peers Davidson took much care in selecting
and training the N.C.O. Class and in having the skeleton of the
organization complete before beginning the campaign for
recruits. Active recruiting began on September 3rd, and on the
first day nearly a hundred men offered their services. The
battalion was recruited to over-strength by the 10th of
November.
The 73rd served in Canada from September 4, 1915 to April 1,
1916; England from April 9, 1916 to August 12, 1916; and France
from August 13, 1916 to April 19, 1917. They were disbanded in
April 1917 and replaced by the 85th Battalion. The men of the
73rd were distributed amongst the 13th, 42nd and 85th Infantry
Battalions. The commanding officers were Lieutenant Colonel P.
Davidson from April 1, 1916 to December 12, 1916 and Lieutenant
Colonel H. C. Sparling D.S.O. from December 12, 1916 to April
1917. The 73rd’s Battle Honours were: "Somme, 1916," "Ancre Heights,"
"Arras, 1917," "Vimy, 1917" "France and Flanders, 1916-17."
From Internet Reference Noted Below (see web site for
details):
During
the first year of the war the Province of Nova Scotia had raised
four Battalions, principally within her own border, viz.: the
17th, 25th,40th and 64th, besides several drafts from the 63rd,
66th,R.C.R., 1st C.A., Composite Battalion, and the 17th Sydney
Field Battery-as a Unit-these all crossed overseas. Many of the
Militia were also called out for garrison duty in various parts
of the Province.
A
distinctive Nova Scotia Highland Regiment, however had not been
raised. On Sept. 14th, 1915, the announcement was made that the
85th "Overseas" Battalion, C.E.F.,"Nova Scotia
Highlanders," was authorized, with Lieut-Col. Allison H.
Borden, one of the most popular and competent officers of the
Canadian Permanent force, in command. Known in almost every home
in the Province, a trained soldier, he inspired confidence, and
with great care, selected officers for his staff and for the
various companies.
From Borden Battery April 22, 2006
85th
CEF Overseas Battalion Nov 2005
The website is a pictorial history of the Nova Scotia Highland
Regiment, the 85th "Overseas" Battalion,
C.E.F.,"Nova Scotia Highlanders". It was authorized on
Sept. 14th, 1915 with companies made up from the following
Counties: "A" Company - Pictou, Cumberland,
Colchester; "B" Company - Lunenburg, Queens,
Shelburne, Yarmouth, Digby, Annapolis, Antigonish, Guysboro,
Inverness; "C" Company - Halifax, Hants, Kings"D:
Company - Cape Breton Island. Photographs include officers,
staff sergeants, pipe band, signals and machine gun section.
[Recommendation by N.S Regt]
http://bdbarry.tripod.com/id103.htm
From Paul Henderson
January 15, 2010 (e-mail):
From the Matrix ORBAT: "The 73rd Battalion (4th Division, 12th Brigade) was replaced by the
85th Battalion in April 1917 due to heavy losses at Vimy Ridge and The Pimple. (see replacements)"
I was looking at the diary of the 73rd and noted their casualties for the Vimy tour were 182 which
didn't seem extraordinarily high. A little further digging brought up a letter (links below) that indicated as early as January or February the breakup was being considered due to lack of reinforcements.
