Pipe Band and Select Officers

25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles)

Circa 1915

The photo is believed to have been taken in England before the battalion crossed the English Channel.

Front Row, Sitting, Left to Right:
1.  Pte. Ronald Campbell McDonald 67624
- born in Glace Bay, NS
2.  Pte. Thomas Bernard Kane 67802
- born in Halifax, NS
3.  Pte. Harold O'Connell 67317
- born in Yarmouth, NS
- wounded in the right ankle and leg in Oct., 1915, and returned to Canada
4.  Pte. Arthur Muise 67314
- born in Yarmouth, NS

Middle Row, Seated, Left to Right:
1.  Pipe Major John “Jock” Carson 68139
- born in Greenock, Scotland
- appointed to the rank of sergeant and became the Pipe Major for the pipe band
-awarded a Meritorious Service Medal
- promoted to the rank of company sergeant major just after the war ended
2.  Major Donald Alexander MacRae
- born in Baddeck River, Victoria County, NS
- transferred out of the 25^th Battalion and served in other military postings
- promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel
3.  Major Lawrence Howard MacKenzie – Battalion Adjutant
- born in Gairloch, Pictou County, NS
- transferred out of the 25^th Battalion and served in other military postings
- awarded a Distinguished Service Order
- Mentioned in Despatches
- awarded a Croix de Guerre
- awarded a Russian Order of St. Vladimir, 4^th Class
- awarded a Russian Order of St. Anne, 2^nd Class with Swords
- promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel
4.  Lt-Col. George Augustus LeCain – Commanding Officer 25^th Battalion
- born in Round Hill, Annapolis County, NS
- transferred out of the 25^th Battalion and returned to Canada
5.  Captain Jotham Wilbert Logan
- born in Upper Stewiacke, Colchester County, NS
- transferred out of the 25^th Battalion and served in other military postings
- promoted to the rank of major
6.  Lieut. John Donald McNeil
- born in McKinnon’s Harbour, Victoria County, NS
7.  Sgt. Daniel Morrison 67545
- born in Blues Mills, Inverness County, NS
- reverted to the rank of private at his own request
- held the rank of corporal upon discharge from the army

Back Row, Standing, Left to Right: 
1.  Pte. Michael (Mike) McDougall 68270
- born in Grand Mira, Cape Breton County, NS
2.  Pte. William Brand 68432
- born in Glasgow, Scotland
- awarded a Military Medal
3.  Pte. Walter James Telfer 68238
- born in Argyllshire, Scotland
- wounded at Vimy Ridge resulting in an amputation of his leg
- awarded a Military Medal
4.  Pte. David Brand 68429
- born in Elgin, Scotland
- held the rank of sergeant upon discharge from the army
5.  Pte. David Neilson 67569
- born in Lanarkshire, Scotland
- held the rank of sergeant upon discharge from the army
6.  Pte. Arthur Lavery 67603
- born in Shettleston, Scotland
7.  Pte. James (Jim) Cant 68239
- born in Forfarshire, Scotland
- held the rank of acting lance corporal upon discharge from the army
8.  Pte. Angus Campbell 67532
- born in Whycocomagh, Inverness County, NS

The list of names above is from an internet article about the 25^th Battalion’s pipe band, by piping historian Barry Shears. See the link below. Service numbers, military ranks, places of birth and other specifics were added based on information provided in the men’s online service files.

For further information on the pipe band of the 25th Battalion, refer to Barry Shears' article "Pipers of the 25th Nova Scotia Overseas Battalion in World War 1," in Bagpipe News, dated May 15, 2021. To access the article, click HERE.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  22-1 (1.2)
Image Information:  Received as electronic file
Restoration Status:  Medium
Source:  Barry Shears