Nova Scotia's Part in the Great War

by Unknown

The first Battalion orders on record were issued on March 6th by Major E. C. Phinney, who had been placed in temporary command of the 219th. Lieut. C. Holland was appointed Acting Adjutant. For some time the orders were chiefly concerned with the large accessions to the strength of the Battalion, daily reported, as the result of Colonel Borden’s successful tour, and the formation of the various detachments. These recruits were now arranged in four companies, “A” in Halifax, “B” comprising the territory from Mahone Bay to Clarke’s Harbor, “C” from Yarmouth to Bear River, and “D” from Annapolis to Wolfville.

The first public parade of “A” Company was on May 27th to St. Matthew’s Church to attend the memorial service for Lieutenant Campbell, who had been killed in action, and who was the son of Mr. G. S. Campbell, one of the most active spirits in the recruiting campaign.

In the history of the 219th there is a humorous distinction between the first funeral procession and the first actual funeral of one of its members. One night in the early spring a fire occurred in a house in Barrington Street. Unfortunately the inmates could not be extricated in time, and some fatalities resulted. The charred remains of one body was identified as that of Metrofan Meik, a Russian recruit in the 219th. The funeral took place from St. Mary’s Cathedral. A firing party was furnished by “C” Company of the 85th. The Last Post was sounded and full military honors paid to the dead. Next morning who should report in the orderly room but Metrofan himself, very much alive and feeling greatly the better for his leave, which had now expired. Who it was that was buried with military honors has never been discovered to this hour.

The first actual funeral of a soldier in the 219th took place on May 2nd, from the Military Hospital in Halifax. The deceased was Private Edwards, a native of England. The services were conducted by Hon. Captain MacKinnon.

It was on Wednesday, February 23rd, that a letter came from Ottawa authorizing the formation of the 219th and granting permission to appoint Major E. C. Phinney, of the 85th as temporary O.C. It was he who had the task of organizing the 219th, and the manner in which he accomplished this is a fine tribute to his executive ability. For the first few days he was assisted by Lieut. C. Holland, who acted as Adjutant. In the beginning of April a rumor was in circulation that the Highland Brigade was not to materialize and that the 85th was to proceed immediately Overseas. Rather than miss this opportunity of going to the Front, Major Phinney relinquished his position as Commanding Officer of the 219th and went back to his former position in the 85th.

On April 8th Lieut.-Col. N. H. Parsons became temporary C.O. of the 219th. He planned a tour of inspection, but his purpose was frustrated by a serious illness. Lieutenant Holland, who afterwards became Staff Captain in the Nova Scotia Highland Brigade, was succeeded as Acting Adjutant by Lieut. John S. Roper. He along with Major Rudland and Lieutenant Wylie had been one of a Military Committee to assist in the formation of the Battalion. He remained Adjutant throughout its whole history.

By May 4th Colonel Parsons felt sufficiently recovered to proceed with his tour of inspection, and during his absence the duties of command devolved on Major H. D. Creighton. But the atmosphere was surcharged with uncertainty and the Battalion was beginning to suffer for want of a permanent head. Lieut.-Col. Parsons returned to the 85th, and, with him, Major Creighton. At last on May 5th, Lieut.-Col. W. H. Muirhead assumed command. Immediately the unrest ceased, and the Battalion settled itself to the business of training.

On the outbreak of the War Colonel Muirhead went at once to the new camp at Valcartier and was given an appointment on the Divisional Headquarters Staff. But being unmarried and anxious to take his part in the actual fighting, he transferred to the Royal Canadian Dragoons before the First Canadian Contingent sailed, reverting to the rank of Lieutenant. Early in May, 1915, he crossed to France in the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, which included, with the Dragoons, the Strathcona Horse and the 2nd King Edward Horse. For nine months he was in the trenches, and witnessed some of the fiercest fighting of the War.

In Canada the idea was gaining ground that new troops should be instructed in the latest methods of warfare, and this could only be done by bringing some of the officers from the Front. Colonel Muirhead was subsequently appointed second in command of the 112th, which was recruiting at the time, and he returned in January, 1916. As above stated he took over the 219th on May 5th. His keen intelligence, long familiarity with business methods, together with the stern experience he had known at the Front, fitted him in quite an exceptional manner for the command and training of a Battalion.

The Battalions at Camp Aldershot were arranged in order of seniority. Nearest to Aldershot Station was placed the 85th, and then in order the 185th, 193rd and 219th. Beyond the lines of the 219th were quartered the 97th, “The American Legion,” made up of men from the United States, who had come to take their share in the fight for the freedom of the world.