THE POWDER HORN

Monthly Newsletter
September 2024

COMMAND TEAM UPDATE

As we reach the end of September, it is important to reflect upon the incredible amount of work that was undertaken by our Riflemen over the summer months.

After the conclusion of the 80th Anniversary of D-Day in June, a team of jumpers from Parachute Company departed for the United States to participate in LeapFest. The annual event, hosted by the Rhode Island National Guard, saw sixteen partner nations complete multiple descents using steerable canopies. After several days conducting jumps from CH-47 Chinook helicopters, our members returned home with American jump wings.

In July, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada were proud to witness the graduation of yet another Jumpmaster, from the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre in Trenton. Sgt Crewe became the latest successful alumnus of the demanding course and has since become a valuable addition to the Air Cell.

The unit was well-represented during Exercise STALWART GUARDIAN, held at the end of August in Petawawa. The platoon-sized contingent was recognized by the training director for their exceptional performance and commitment, in austere and dynamic conditions.

The Command Team was honoured to be present at both the 101st birthday celebration for World War II veteran George Beardshaw, as well as the rededication of a gravestone for a Normandy campaign veteran, Harry Oyler.

The beginning of September saw the unit stand-to for the new training year, during which Riflemen began to hone their abilities in preparation for live-fire ranges. On the final weekend of the month, the Regiment deployed to Meaford for Exercise MAROON SWORD 1. Over 115 soldiers completed individual and pairs range practices, in addition to conducting refreshers of mountaineering skills—or navigation at night, as was the case with Recce Platoon.

We look forward to another phenomenal year, surrounded by Canada’s best men and women.

In Pace Paratus

Chris Boileau
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer

Justin Thorn
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major

17th Annual QOR of C Golf Tournament

On September 6th, the QOR Association and the 1860 Club held the 17th Annual Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Golf Tournament. The event took place at Cardinal Golf Course and was sponsored by members of our extended Regimental Family. This year’s tournament was held in support of the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day and the Liberation of the Netherlands, culminating in a commemorative trip in 2025. For more information, please visit http://1860club.ca/nld80.

On behalf of the Regiment, we would like to express our gratitude to the tournament sponsors: 

PLATINUM SPONSOR
DUNPAR HOMES 

GOLD SPONSORS
AEGIS SIX CORPORATION
CALDWELL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
COMMISSIONAIRES GREAT LAKES
ENTERA UTILITY CONTRACTORS
EXECUTEK INTERNATIONAL
EXP SERVICES
GREAT LAKES BREWERY
GUILLEVIN INTERNATIONAL
HALLMARK HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
LONG BRANCH CONSULTING
MELROSE PAVING
RAM ACCESS
SKYLINE WEALTH MANAGEMENT
VIFLOOR CANADA 

HOLE SPONSORS
RODNEY MILLER AND ASSOCIATES
THE CURRIE GROUP AT TD
THOMAS, LARGE & SINGER
TROY LIFE AND FIRE

SHOTGUN START SPONSOR
CAMERON STEPHENS

2025 Nijmegen March

The 2025 4Days Marches will be held from Tuesday, July 15th to Friday, July 19th in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. This is the world’s largest walking achievement event with over 45,000 participants (around 6,000 military and 39,000 civilian) from 70 different countries. The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada have a deep connection with the event, by sending teams and participants since the 1950’s.  The Canadian Armed Forces no longer send an official contingent, however there are still many Canadians—both military and civilian—that participate in the event. In 2025, a small group of veterans from the QOR will be participating. If you would like to participate, please contact smoody@1860club.ca no later than December 15th, 2024.

Route
The route always starts in the centre of the Town of Nijmegen but is different each day. There are many WW2 historic sites on these routes. On Day 3, the route passes Groesbeek Commonwealth War Cemetery where 63 members of the QOR were laid to rest, including VC recipient Sgt Aubrey Cosens.

Distance
The distance of the event can vary depending on your age, gender and service status.  

Serving military (military ID not in uniform) – 40 km a day x 4 with a 10kg pack
Civilian or veteran between 18 and 50 – 50 km a day x 4 optional pack 
Civilian or veteran between 50 – 59 – 40 km a day x 4 optional pack 
Civilian or veteran 60 and over – 30km a day x 4 optional pack  

Schedule
July 13th, 2025 – Arrive in the Netherlands / check-in to Hotel Haarhuis, Arnhem
July 14th, 2025 – Train to Nijmegen and complete registration
July 15th to July 19th, 2025 – 4Days Marches
July 20th, 2025 – Awards Ceremony / Return to Amsterdam
July 21st, 2025 – Depart the Netherlands 

Cost
Flight – Approximately CDN $1000–1600
Train – CDN $250 for the week
March Registration – CDN $170
Hotels (8 days) – CDN $2000-2500 depending on the package. 

Training
Between April 1st and July 15th, participants should walk a total of 700km, training no less than twice per week, with distances increasing to 40-50km and a final walk of 2x 40k-50km on consecutive days.

You can find more information – as well as a Volunteer application form – on our museum website. Please visit our YouTube and Flickr page for the latest content. 

If you have potential items for our Museum and Archive collection, please read this page and complete the online form, or contact us at museum@qormuseum.org.

QOR Association Update 

QOR Family Day (May 26)
It was great to have the Family Day back again; members of the regimental family had a great time with over 200 attendees. Padre John Howie and I cooked up a storm with hamburgers and hot dogs. Thanks to the members of the Association that supported this function. 

D-80 Tour (May 31-June 8)
With this year being the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, two former RSMs (Harry McCabe and myself) along with Association members Ann Ward, Allan Champion and his son Matthew made our way to Normandy for the D+80 Tour. It was a busy week as we followed the Regiment on all the activities in the itinerary. I must say I was very proud of the execution and how well the Regiment carried themselves every day. Overall it was a very memorable trip, as it was great to see our Normandy friends and Dutch reenactors again. 

Peacekeeper Day – Angus (August 9)
It was important for members to participate in this year’s parade and reception, with the aim of remembering our fallen Riflemen that made the supreme sacrifice during Peacekeeping missions.

Warriors' Day Parade (Aug 17)
At the 103rd Anniversary of Warriors' Day this year, the QOR Association marched in the parade and put on a great showing once again. It was a great honour to have WWII veteran George Beardshaw (who turned 101 years old in September) participate in this year’s parade.

17th Annual Golf Tournament (Sept 6)
The Annual Golf Tournament, held in conjunction with the 1860 Club, was a notable success. A big Thank You to all the Association members that made this tournament possible—in particular Dave Lavery, Bob Dunk, Brenda Butt, Ann Ward, Linda di Felice, and James Atcheson. 

Zoom Get-Together
Our next Zoom get-together will be held on Sunday, October 6th at 14:00. 

Change of Address
Please note our new mailing address: 

QOR Association—Toronto Branch
3234 Equestrian Crescent
Mississauga, ON  L5M 6S8
qora-tor-treasurer@rogers.com 

“Once In The Queen’s Own Always In The Queen’s Own"

In Pace Paratus

CWO (Ret'd) Brian Budden, CD
President & Health & Welfare Chairman
QORA (Toronto Branch)

QOR of C Kit Shop 

If you are interested in purchasing QOR of C merchandise, you may do so via our online Kit Shop. We now have the ability to issue invoices and accept payment online. We have several new items in stock, including merchandise from the Airborne Reunion.

Please visit the QOR Kit Shop here.

Watch and Shoot (Upcoming Events)   

November 8th, 2024
Officers' Mess Dinner

November 9th, 2024
QOR Day at Casa Loma

November 10th, 2024
Remembrance Parade

December 4th, 2024
Soldiers' Holiday Dinner

For more events, please consult the calendar of events.

Trust Fund and Fundraising Update 

Since the launch of the 1860 Club, our members have donated over $500,000 to support The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund and various Regimental initiatives.  We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generosity and support. The full list of Founders can be viewed here.

For more information on supporting the Trust Fund, please click here. For any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Online Links

The QOR of C Regimental Association 
More information about The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Association Branches can be found at:

Toronto Branch
https://www.facebook.com/qortorontoassociation 
East Coast Branch
https://www.qor-east.com
Calgary Branch
https://www.qorcalgary.com 
Vancouver Island Branch
https://www.qorvi.com

The Rifleman Magazine (Annual Journal of the QOR of C)
https://fliphtml5.com/insrc/ryzm
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum
https://qormuseum.org/
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Website
https://www.queensownrifles.com/

Kit Shop
https://sites.google.com/view/qorkitshop/

Submissions

To submit comments or content to the The Rifles Report or The Powder Horn, please contact Brian Whittaker, 1860 Club Communications Director at editor@1860club.ca