Group of Soldiers

193rd Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders)

Nova Scotia

1916

This is an early photo showing a group of soldiers from the 193rd Battalion, probably a platoon. It was taken in the spring of 1916 before the battalion relocated to Aldershot, NS. The men appear to be wearing General List cap and collar badges. They have not yet been issued 193rd Battalion insignia.

Only two men in the photo have been positively identified so far.

In the front row, 6th from the left is Lieut. John Owen MacLeod, born and raised in Six Mile Brook, Pictou County, NS. He joined the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) in October, 1915 with the rank of private. In March, 1916, he was appointed to the commissioned rank of lieutenant in the 193rd Battalion. While in England he served in the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders) and the 17th Canadian Reserve Battalion, before finally seeing action with the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders). He was killed in action at Scarpe on September 2, 1918.

In the back row, on the far left, in front of the door frame, is Pte. Stephen Toney, a Mi'kmaq, born in Little Harbour, Pictou County, NS. He enlisted with the 193rd Battalion in March, 1916 and went overseas with them later in the year. While in England, he was posted to the 42nd Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada) for a short time and joined them in France. In February, 1917 he was transferred to the 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders) where he built a reputation as a noted sniper. In June, 1917, he was gassed while the battalion was in the trenches near Lens. He was invalided to England to recover from the gas attack which effected his eyesight and ended his sniping duties. He did rejoin his unit for a short time before being returned to Canada where he received a medical discharge in December, 1918. Contrary to popular news reports during and after the war, unfortunately he was not awarded any medals of valour for his service.

Photographer:  Unknown
Ref. Number:  0-4 (20-1.3)
Image Information:  Scan of original photo
Source:  Robert MacLellan Collection