Men leaving for WWII, Cape Breton 1939

On September 4, 1939, at 8:15am, the late Malcolm F. MacNeil captured on film Major Gordon MacNeil and his men heading to encampment at Baddeck following Prime Minister Chamberlain’s Declaration of War on Germany the day prior. The men are filmed leaving Grand Narrows for Iona by train and on to Baddeck from Iona on the mail boat Eleutherian.
For a more detailed description of the film and the day it was captured, please visit our digital archives: beatoninstitute.com/ft-212

[@tylerbutts8947]

I would not want to run into a bunch of soldiers from Cape Breton Island, I bet they were a tough bunch !

[@iainsutherland2365]

Great archive material

[@randypointkoski2186]

wow men leaving the peaceful heaven of the Barra Strait to the hell of the Nazi European Battlefields... That takes courage....

[@caperby3818]

Is this in IONA.?

[@sandragouthro1168]

Kevin Fraser yes it is!

[@palmergriffiths1952]

My Great Grand Uncle Ernie Burns served in the Cape Breton Highlanders in WWII

[@fcgarbage4815]

My Great Grand uncle John James Mauger served in the West Nova Scotia Highlanders in WWII. He was from Cape LaRonde

[@jonnymac8925]

My Grandfather, great uncle and great grandfather all served overseas with the Cape Breton Highlanders in ww2! I can't imagine packing up and leaving Cape Breton to head to Naples, Italy.

[@palmergriffiths1952]

@@jonnymac8925 Hey they're the greatest generation. Lots of respect to them. My Grandfather went over to Italy too but he was in the First Special Service Force while my Great Grand Uncle Ernie was in the Cape Breton Highlanders. Thank you for your Great Grandfather's and Great Uncles service.

[@jonnymac8925]

@@palmergriffiths1952 they truly were! These men were mostly boys at the time, my grandfather can be seen in this video walking down the pier at the 1:08 mark with my grandmother. He can then be seen again on the boat lighting a cigarette. I have lots of cool pictures and articles about his time overseas, unfortunately I never did get to meet him, but I've heard a lifetime of stories!

[@palmergriffiths1952]

@@jonnymac8925 that's pretty cool. I it to meet my Grandfather he sadly passed away in 2008. Like I said he was in the black Devils aka fssf. Met my great grand uncle Ernie too. He passed away in the 90's he was from New Waterford. That's cool you got to see that footage of your grandfather. I got some stuff from my Grandfather as well. 👍

[@straitpirates3854]

Any chance of getting the names of these soldiers?

[@stellamcphee3610]

How can you find if there was a man by the last name SNOW HE IS FROM THE HUB GLACE BAY .CAPE BRETON .N .S.

[@jimgriffin8978]

church has not changed

[@donitaley564]

Thanks France really like that

[@JackF99]

You're forced to wear a skirt, you get tough quick.