Cap Badge - 253rd (Queen's University Highlanders) Battalion, CEF also known s the 253rd (Queen's University) Highland Battalion, CEF The 253rd (University Highland) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Kingston, Ontario, the unit began recruiting in mid-autumn of 1916, primarily among university students from throughout Canada. After sailing to England in May 1917, 5th Reserve Battalion, CEF later that month. The 253rd (University Highland) Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. P. G. C. Campbell.