Areas of interest:

Operated by:

This is the Highlander Museum of the 2nd Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton).

Description, purpose:

Dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of the 2nd Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton), from its origins (18th century) to the present.

Victoria Park

The Sydney area located near the tip of the peninsula, at the entrance of the harbour (Spanish Bay), was cleared by the 33rd Regiment of the British Army when Governor DesBarres selected that site for the capital of the colony of Cape Breton, in 1785.

A cabinet with 18th century artifacts from the original barracks site

Military installations were erected: barracks, a mess house, an infirmary and soldiers' quarters, originally known as "Barrack Park". Sydney remained a garrison town until 1854, when the last regiment was sent to fight in the Crimean War.

Renamed "Victoria Park" in 1897 in honour of Queen Victoria's diamond jubilee, it has been continually occupied by the military ever since its creation. Troops were stationed there during WWII. In the mid-1990s, Victoria Park was redesignated as Sydney Garrison Victoria Park and became part of 36 Canadian Infantry Brigade Group.

1. DesBarres Building
2. Vehicle Compound
3. Fort Oglvie Building
4. Main Entrance
5. Coriano Building

In the entrance hall, main floor

A History of the 2nd Battalion, Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton)

Source (UCCB)

The origins of the Cape Breton Highlanders

17th Field Battery at Victoria Park

The battalion was organized on October 13, 1871 as the Victoria Provisional Battalion of Infantry, from 4 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 designation, the unit officially became a Highland battalion on December 12, 1879.

(left) Lt.-Col. W. Bingham 1871. Followed by (right) Lt.-Col. John L. Bethune, M.D., 94th Bn of Infantry "Argyll Highlanders", 1893.

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 "94" in the list of Canadian Militia Units.
The subsequent years, the original 4 companies were expanded. New companies were raised in 1882, 1894, and 1902. This strong establishment was retained until the outbreak of WWI.

94th Argyle Highlanders marching down Charlotte St., Sydney, early in WWI

The First World War (the Great War)

The 94th Victoria Regiment "Argyll Highlanders" was placed on active service on August 6, 1914, for the coastal defence of Cape Breton coast, and remained so for the duration of the war. The Regiment recruited upwards of 2,400 men for the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.), most of whom were channeled into the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) and the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) which, with the 193rd and 219th Battalions, formed the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade.

Portraits of officers form the 94th, 1914-18

The brigade sailed for England in October 1916 and 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 4 Division engaged and forged an enviable reputation as a first class fighting unit which included the taking of hill 145 on Vimy Ridge. All together, some 174 officers and 3,249 other ranks were absorbed into the battalion. Casualties were heavy, but only one man was captured by the enemy.

85th Highlanders Nova Scotia Highlanders WWI Monument at Passchendale - Zonnebeke, Belgium

(History of the Highlander Regiment continued
next column, top)

John Clarke

Interpretation at the Museum:

John Clarke is the archivist and historian, and the manager for the Museum. He has gathered many of the artifacts himself throughout the years, and he is most acknowledgeable about the collection.

He is available to answer visitors' questions and to take them to visit the museum.

Related Web sites:

About the Highlanders:

The Nova Scotia Highlanders Regimental Museum, in Amherst, Nova Scotia

The 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton)

Cape Breton Highlanders Association (1996)

Nova Scotia Highlanders Heritage Society

War memorials and monuments for the Highlanders abroad:

in Belgium - 85th Highlanders Nova Scotia Highlanders WWI Monument at Passchendale - Zonnebeke

in Italy

War museums:

War museums in Europe

The Canadian War Museum (CWM)

Juno Beach Centre / Centre Juno Beach (Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, to provide recognition of Canada's military and civilian contributions during WWII)

War museums in Canada (Google links)

Other links:

Canadian International Demining Corps (CIDC) - based in Sydney

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Generations Can Connect

The Memory Project

Veterans Affairs Canada

Canadian military medals and decorations (VAC)

More links (from RCL Vancouver)

A Canadian's Visit to Vimy Ridge and the First War Battlefields of Flanders

Normandy June 1944

The Italian Campaign (VAC)

In Flanders Fields (Veterans Affairs Canada)

To learn more about Cape Breton' s and Canada's military/naval history:

The Breed of Manly Men, by A. Morrison and T. Slaney. Canadian Institute of Strategic Studies, 1994.

Richard BROWN. A History of the Island of Cape Breton. Low & Marston, 1869; reprinted, Belleville: Mika, 1979.

Lt. Col. Joseph HAYES. The 85th Canadian Infantry Battalion in France and Flanders. Halifax, Royal Print & Litho Limited (1920) (out of print; available at the Highlanders Museum, the Halifax Public Library, the University of Toronto Library).

J.G. MacKINNON. Old Sydney (1918). Facsimile edition: Belleville, ON: Mira Publishing, 1973. (See: "A Garrison Town" and "The Black Watch".)

Peter MOOGK. "From Fortress Louisbourg to Fortress Sydney: Artillery and Gunners on Cape Breton, 1743-1980", in: Cape Breton at 200, historical essays in honour of the Island's bicentennial 1785-1985. Kenneth Donovan Editor, Sydney: UCCB Press, 1985.

Lt. Col. NICHOLSON. The Canadians in Italy 1939-1945. Authorized by DND.

Brian TENNYSON and Roger SARTY. Guardian of the Gulf - Sydney, Cape Breton, and the Atlantic wars. University of Toronto Press, 2002.

Bonnie THORNHILL and W. James MacDONALD, Editors. In the Morning - Veterans of Victoria County, Cape Breton, Sydney: UCCB Press.

More books on Cape Breton (Breton Books)

The collections / exhibits:

War memorabilia, uniforms, tartans, badges, photographs, documents and reference books. Also: artifacts from early Sydney, 1785 and on.

Reorganization of the Highlanders after World War I (WWI)

Following WWI, the militia was reorganized and on April 1st, 1920, the unit was redesignated the Cape Breton Highlanders which was to perpetuate the 94th Regiment, 85th and 185th Battalions. On April 1st, 1932, following a request from the regiment, permission was granted to 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.

Sydney newspaper, September 3, 1939

On August 26, 1939, the Cape Breton Highlanders were called out to supply protective guards at vital installations in the industrial areas of Cape Breton. The unit left Cape Breton for other duties on January 1st, 1941 and in June of the year was designated as the infantry support battalion for the 5th Canadian Armored Division being formed at Camp Borden, Ontario.

The regiment embarked for England on November 13, 1941 where two years were spent training for battle. The Cape Breton Highlanders landed in Italy on November 10, 1943, as part of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 5th Armored Division. The unit's first task was to relieve the West Nova Scotia Regiment at Ortona. From there, the unit moved forward.

The Cape Breton Highlanders in England during WWII

While in Italy, the Regiment served with various formations of the British 8th Army and the American 5th Army. They took part in the breaching of the Hitler Line which opened the road to Rome and the Gothic Line which included the Cape Breton Highlanders taking Coriano Ridge. The Highlanders continued fighting their way north through Italy to the Banks of the Reno River on January 5, 1945. After the "D" Day invasion of France, priorities switched to North West Europe. In January 1945, the 5th Canadian Armored Division left Italy and moved into France where they joined to the 1st Canadian Army.

The names of the Cape Breton Highlanders buried in Italy

The Cape Breton Highlanders moved into the line in Holland where they relieved the Essex Regiment in the area of Nijmegen. The Highlanders again went on the offensive working their way to Dokkum area and on April 21st the unit relieved the North Nova Scotia Highlanders . The last action of the Cape Breton Highlanders was the capture of the port of Delfzijl, Holland on April 27-28, 1945. The last operation proved highly successful, all objectives were taken and approximately 1700 prisoners of war were taken. This engagement cost the unit 19 killed and 54 wounded; the ceasefire came one week later, on May 5, 1945.

The names of the Cape Breton Highlanders buried in Holland

Since WWII

China collection from the Mess of the 94th, WW1

Following the Second World War, the unit resumed its militia status. In 1954, along with Nova Scotia's two other Highland Regiments were amalgamated to form a single unit. On September 15th, the Cape Breton Highlanders Battalion was thus designated "2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders" and on June 21, 1955, "2nd Battalion, The Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton)".

Display on the Nova Scotia Highlanders
(Cape Breton)

The artillery was a major user of Victoria Park up its reorganization in the 1960s. Now, there are about 500 militia members (based in Sydney and Glace Bay) coming from all over the Island.

The names of the Cape Breton Highlanders who survived WWI and WWII

Remembrance Day and poppy

Various tartans on display at the Museum

Regimental tartans; mottos; and march pasts

1871-1920 - The 94th Victoria Regiment (Argyle Highlanders)
Campbell, Duke of Argyll tartan
"Dileas Do'n Bheatich" (True to the Flag)
"Campbells are coming"

1915-1920 - The 85th and 185th Canadian Expeditionary Force
(Argyll and Sutherland tartan)
"Siol Na fear Fearail" (Breed Of Manly Men)
"The Highland Laddie" (for the 85th), "All the Blue Bonnets are Over the Border" (for the 185th)

1920-1954 - The Cape Breton Highlanders
Sutherland (Argyll and Sutherland tartan)
"Siol Na fear Fearail" (Breed of Manly Men)
"The Highland Laddie"

1954- present - 2nd Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders (Cape Breton)
MacDonald, Clan Donald
"Siol Na fear Fearail" (Breed of Manly Men)
"The Highland Laddie"

Hat badges
worn by Highlanders
over the years

Other relevant heritage sites/organizations in Cape Breton:

St. George's Church (Garrison Church), Sydney

Chapel Point Fort, Sydney Mines

Highlanders Monument - RCL Armstrong Memorial Branch 19, Archibald Ave., North Sydney

- Louisbourg Cairn and Oak Tree - dedicated to 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment, British Army, "who fought at the final battle for Louisbourg N.S.", placed in front of Louisbourg Town Hall in 1989 in honour of their 300 years of service. Cheshire is the British allied regiment of the 2 NSH (CB).

- War monument in Wentworth Park, Sydney (1918)

- War monument, corner Prince/Welton St., Sydney

Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) in Cape Breton:

Baddeck - RCL Branch 53
Dominion - RCL Branch 78
Florence - RCL Branch 83
Glace Bay - RCL Branches 3 and 40
Howie Centre - RCL Branch 151
Louisbourg - RCL Branch 162
New Waterford - RCL Branch 15
North Sydney - RCL Armstrong Memorial Branch 19
Port Morien - RCL Branch 5
Reserve Mines - RCL Branch 2
Sydney - RCL Branch 12 (created in 1928) - corner of Dorchester and George St., tel. 902.539-9745

Westmount - RCL Westside Branch 126
Whycobah - RCL Branch 123

Contact information:

John Clarke, 902.567.2284

General information:

The Museum is open year round.
Thursdays evenings (call ahead) or by appointment.

Visitors' parking available.
Free of charge for the Museum and parking.

How to get there:

Victoria Park is located in Sydney's historical North End.

Once in Sydney, follow the Esplanade along the waterfront.

Keep going, past the Marine Terminal and St. Patrick's Museum Church. You will see the entrance to the Park; first building on your right.

More to do and see in the area (suggestions for a nice walk while in town):

Visit Sydney's Historical North End:

Cape Breton Centre for Heritage and Science (Lyceum) (1904) - 225 George Street - 902.539.1572

Cossit House Museum (1785) - 75 Charlotte Street - 902.539.7973

Jost House Museum (1787) - 54 Charlotte Street - 902.539.0366

St. Patricks Church Museum (1828) - 89 Esplanade - 902.539.8237

For more information (attractions, accomodations, etc.):

Metro Cape Breton (Destination Nova Scotia)

The Metro Area of Cape Breton (Tour Nova Scotia)