Cape Bretoners in World War One

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This site is dedicated to all Cape Bretoners that served in World War One or the Great War as it was originally called. All are heroes and all are casualties. This is not only a commemorative site but also a genealogy site. Sources I've used for this site are newspapers of the day, obituaries, cemeteries, previously published works, Library and Archives Canada (LAC), Royal Canadian Legion and contributions from visitors to this site. Please note that this website is still under construction. Comments are always welcome and any additions, corrections, etc. to the database would be very much appreciated.

According to a study done by local historian W.L. Chirgwin after the war, approximately 6000-7000 Cape Bretoners served during World War One. In August 1914, following the declaration of war, the 17th Field Battery from Sydney was called up and sent to Valcartier, Quebec to train for overseas service as part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Here, new field batteries were formed to comprise the Canadian Field Artillery and the Sydney battery became a component of the 5th and 6th Field Batteries that went to Europe in the fall of 1914. They would be the first of many units raised or partially raised in Cape Breton. In addition to the 5th and 6th Batteries of the Canadian Field Artillery, Cape Bretoners would be part of the 10th, 24th and 36th Field Batteries, as well as the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia), Royal Canadian Regiment, 40th Battalion, 64th Battalion, the 6th Canadian Mounted Rifles, 85th Battalion (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 106th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles) and the 185th Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders), plus the No. 1 Tunneling Company and the 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion of the Canadian Engineers. Although not all of these units would see action and would only be used as reinforcements for those that did, almost all those that made it overseas would serve in France and/or Belgium as well as other areas of conflict.

I have completed entering data from my notes taken from the local newspapers up to the end of 1925, including all known fatal casualties thus far, to a total of 5069 individuals. It also contains data from nominal lists for all the major battalions and batteries raised or partially raised in Cape Breton, including those that enlisted in the 5th, 6th, 10th, 24th and 36th Field Batteries, as well as the 25th (Nova Scotia) Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, 40th, 64th, 85th (Nova Scotia Highlanders), 106th (Nova Scotia Rifles) and 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalions, No. 1 Tunneling Company and 2nd Canadian Pioneer Battalion, and others that enlisted in other parts of Canada and those that were drafted into other battalions and those that died. Items from local newspapers, in particular the Sydney Daily Post and the Sydney Record include such as weekly recruiting lists, casualty lists to date (often daily), plus all fatal casualties for the war, and other items of interest such as articles on individuals. I have collected other lists of service numbers which I have also entered. I am also including a chronology of the war to the end of 1918 as it pertains to Cape Breton. My next update will include additional service information for each individual.

I had originally planned to complete my entries by the 100th Anniversary of the end of World War One but due to other commitments this has not been possible. However, I am concentrating my efforts on this project and still hope to complete entry of all available information by the end of 2022. I encourage you to participate in this project. If you can add any individuals to my database I would very much appreciate it. Please fill out the form I have provided at my Cape Bretoners at War website.

Wayne Macvicar, Mira Gut, NS (cbww2@seaside.ns.ca)

Web page last updated 11 April 2022

Web page created 4 September 2012

Web page redesigned 30 Apr 2021