THE POWDER HORN

Monthly Newsletter
April 2024

COMMAND TEAM UPDATE

April was exceptionally busy for The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.

At the beginning of the month, the Regimental Family came together to celebrate the career of WO (Ret’d) Craig Hood. After 33 years of distinguished service in both the Regular Force and Army Reserve, he returned to Toronto for a retirement event at Moss Park Armoury. The unit wishes him all the best as he continues his advocacy for the veteran community, as part of the Royal Canadian Legion in Nova Scotia.

Between 12-14 April 2024, the Command Team accompanied six members of the Regiment to Quebec, as part of the second annual Rifles Council. Flanked by partners from Regina, Winnipeg, Brockville and Quebec City, the event involved skill-at-arms in infantry battle tasks: shooting, fitness, armoured vehicle recognition and rappelling. Ultimately, a composite team of Riflemen and Voltigeurs proved victorious. MCpl Martin and Cpl Patterson were recognized in front of their peers at a formal dinner, shared among all ranks. On the final morning, participants from each unit took time to share history, experiences and toured the historic Voltigeurs de Quebec Armoury adjacent to the Plains of Abraham.

Soldiers and range staff deployed to the field twice, as part of the READY RIFLEMAN series of exercises. During these events, the Regiment conducted annual live-fire ranges to ensure readiness and the achievement of trade requirement standards.         

Two Riflemen deployed to Latvia, as part of Operation REASSURANCE and NATO’s commitment to security in Eastern Europe.

On the evening of 24 April 2024, the Command Team and a small detachment of Riflemen visited both St. James Cemetery and the Necropolis. The Regiment dedicated a total of four markers for fallen soldiers from the Battle of Ridgeway, during the Fenian Raids. The solemn dusk ceremony saw poppies being placed at each of the stones, respecting their legacy and sacrifices between 1866 and 1867. The 164th Regimental Birthday was celebrated on that same evening, where serving members hoisted Calvados in honour of Canada’s ‘oldest and finest.’

To all Riflemen, past and present, Happy Birthday!

In Pace Paratus

Chris Boileau
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer

Justin Thorn
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major

Regimental Band Spring Concert

On 7 April 2024, the Band and Bugles of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada played the Spring Concert at the Church of the Redeemer, featuring an eclectic selection of music—including Camphouse, Galante, Byrd, Hazo, and more. Thank you to everyone who attended the concert, and we look forward to seeing you at the next performance!

D-Day Garden of Remembrance Plaques

Have a plaque dedicated for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in our Garden of Remembrance!

In remembrance of a veteran, a family member, a regiment—a very fitting tribute in an unique location—and a way to support the association, the maintenance of the House and all of its activities (ceremonies, wreaths, etc). All of our activities are self-funded or funded through donations. 

Plaques can be ordered for 100€ (or equivalent in CDN) by bank transfer or through PayPal. All we need is your (short) text and cap badge or crest in .jpeg format—we take care of the plaque once we get your approval on final design! Your plaque will be added to our wall shortly before D-Day +80 or whenever you would like to see this happen.

Interested? Please contact Nicole Hoffer at nicole.hoffer1952@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Nicole Hoffer
&
Gauthier Hebbelynck 
Président de l’Association
Capitaine (H.) de The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada 

Since the QOR Museum does not hold service records for those that served in 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s Militia/Reserve Battalion, but does hold many other records and photographs from that period, we'd like to collect as much information about those that served which we'll include in our Collections Management Database.

This database includes all the objects, photographs, and archival records that our museum collects and allows us to "tag" these items to specific people. For example, if we have a group photograph with the names listed below, we tag the record with the names of those people. The People section of our database then allows you to look up a person to see all the items connected to them, and other basic information we might have on them - such as when and where they served. There are currently over 4,900 records in our People section. You can check out this page to see how this works.

NOTE: If we already have a profile on our website for you in RIFLEMEN (COs, RSMs, etc) it is not necessary to complete this form unless you have additional information to add or correct.

This information will be publicly accessible so with a few exceptions, whether you provide the information we'd like to collect is optional. That said, we'd very much appreciate if you could provide us with as much info as you are comfortable with.

By completing this survey, you permit The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive to record and make available your responses in our Collection Management System including the Public Access module.

Click HERE to complete the survey which should only take a few minutes.

Maj (Ret'd) John M. Stephens, CD
QOR Museum Director 

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

The QORA (Toronto Branch) held their AGM on Saturday April 13th, 2024 @ RCL Branch 258. It was very successful with over 35 members in attendance. It was great to see old and new faces again. We had a lot to cover at the AGM including plans for the future of the Association.

President’s Report

The Association has been more active in the past year with the Regimental BBQ, Soldier’s Dinner, Regimental functions, Church Parades, Golf Tournaments, etc. I have also been providing monthly reports in the 1860 Club newsletter (The Powder Horn) regarding the Association. The QOR Keep Connected group, created March 2020 by member Jerry Senetchko, presently has 68 members via email & Zoom. A thank you to the LA from RCL 258 – Brenda & Ann for the wonderful lunch provided by the Association.

Where is the Association going in the future? 

A committee has been formed under Association Members: Bob Dunk, Dave Lavery and serving member MWO Stephen Thomas.

Future of QOR Association (Toronto Branch):

MEMBERSHIP
RECRUITMENT 
COMMUNICATION
MUTUAL BENEFIT

Former CO LCol Scott Moody presented the platform of the 1860 Club and the benefits to the Association.

Conduct of Election of Officers for 2024/2025

President: Brian Budden
1st Vice President: Allan Champion
2nd Vice President: Harry Rollo
Treasurer: Brenda Butt
Membership: Ann Ward
Secretary: Ron Craig
Padre : John Howie
Band : Linda DiFelice

Directors: Peter Berkhout, Jerry Senetchko, Bob Dunk, Dave Lavery,
Earl Gardner, Neil Arsenault, James Atcheson 

I just want to thank all the members that attended the AGM and participated in the election of officers, and showing support to your Executive.

In Memoriam 2023-2024

LCol John Power
Vincent “Connie” Smith
Sgt (Ret'd) M. McAuley
Maj (Ret'd) Murray Campbell Edwards
Tom Martin
Capt (Ret’) Fergus Reid
Marcel Duval
Maj (Ret’d) Murray Campbell Edwards
Andy Chensee
Sgt (Ret’d) Matthew McAuley
John “Spooks” Kasper
James Allan
Joe Wells
David O’Brien
Kevin Walsh
Maj David Vine 

QORA – Health & Welfare Chairman Report

At Sunnybrook
Andy MacNaughton - Sunnybrook Hospital "L" LTSE L341
Parkwood – London – George Beardshaw & Don Martin
Ottawa – Charles Jefferson 

Home / In & Out of Hospital
Chick MacGregor
Jerry Senetchko
Ed Teatro
Neil Arsenault
Garry Muir
Rob Grieve
Carlo Cosolo
Brian Budden 

“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)   

May 26, 2024
QOR Family Day 

June 1-8, 2024
D-Day 80th Anniversary Trip (Mess Dinner on June 6)

August 9, 2024
National Peacekeepers' Day Parade (Angus, ON)

August 17, 2024
103rd Warriors Day Parade (Gore Park/CNE)

September 6, 2024
QOR Golf Tournament

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 $300,000 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