NLD80 – RETURN TO EUROPE

80th ANNIVERSARY OF V-E DAY AND
THE LIBERATION OF THE NETHERLANDS

May 3—10, 2025

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada will return to Europe in May 2025 to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day and the Liberation of the Netherlands. The Regiment will send a delegation to Europe in honour of the 34 Riflemen who lost their lives during Operation Blockbuster, during the final push to the Rhine. The itinerary will retrace the steps of the QOR of C as they fought through the Netherlands, liberating the crucial channel ports. After crossing into Germany, Sergeant Aubrey Cosens was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross while capturing the tiny farming hamlet of Mooshof, Germany.

The last action of the war for the QOR of C came at 1200 hours on 4 May, when C Company attacked a crossroads just east of Ostersander, Germany. The objective was taken by 1500 hours, and the order came to cease fire on the enemy unless fired upon. Unfortunately, two Riflemen lost their lives on the last day of the war in Europe. The official ceasefire came at 0800 hours on 5 May 1945, followed by V-E Day on 8 May. During the war, a total of 463 Riflemen were killed in action and buried in graves in Europe.

Following the success of the D+80 Fundraising Campaign, which sent over 70 Riflemen to Normandy in commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the Regiment will be conducting another fundraising campaign in support of NLD80. For a limited time, donors will be able to sponsor one of 34 Riflemen to attend this historic occasion. Your donation will cover their trip expenses, and support the Regiment’s commemorative activities.

Please click here to support the trip.

Draft Itinerary
All events are subject to change.

  • 2 May 2024 
    Depart Toronto Pearson International Airport.

  • 3 May 2024 
    Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
    Visit to Airborne Museum in Armhem.
    Travel to General Major de Ruyter van Steveninck Barracks in Oirschot.

  • 4 May 2024
    Visit to Overloon War Museum.
    Dutch Remembrance Ceremony, Oirschot.

  • 5 May 2024 
    Parade in Wageningen.
    Foulkes Festival, Wageningen (Full Day).

  • 6 May 2024
    Parade at Doorn Monument.
    Visit to Netherlands Veterans Institute.

  • 7 May 2024 
    Commemoration at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium.
    Parade at Oostburg Monument.
    Visit to the Liberation Museum Zeeland.

  • 8 May 2024 
    Commemoration at the Cosens Farmhouse, Mooshof, Germany.
    Parade at Rha Monument.
    Commemoration at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
    Mess Dinner in Groesbeek.

  • 9 May 2024 
    Commemoration at Holten Canadian War Cemetery.

  • 10 May 2024 
    Depart Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. 

For more information, please contact us at info@1860club.ca, or click here to support the trip.

If funds raised for NLD80 exceed the trip requirements , the Trust Fund will allocate the excess funds to other Regimental initiatives.