THE RIFLES REPORT

Monthly Update
February 2022

COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE

Despite COVID-19 restrictions, the serving Regiment has maintained momentum with our training exercises and courses.  The month started off with Exercise Maroon Frost on the weekend of January 21st to 23rd in Burwash, Ontario.  During the exercise, members of the Regiment practiced their winter warfare skills, while concurrently the first weekend of a Cold Weather Operator course took place.  The following weekend we held a First Aid course to ensure our members are current with their Individual Battle Task Standard (IBTS) requirements.

The Regiment is also has been busy supporting the 32 Canadian Brigade Group Battle School by taking the lead in running an Infantry Course with Warrant Officer Steve Thomas.  In addition, Warrant Officer Adam Winnicki has been leading a Rifle Section Commander Course.  We have also sent a Rifle Section and Platoon Commander to deploy to the Joint Readiness Training Centre (JRTC) in Fort Polk, Louisiana with 3 RCR for a month. 

On a solemn note, we lost Colonel (Ret’d) Paul Hughes, CD in January (pictured here with former Colonel-in-Chief Princess Alexandra).  This was a massive loss to the Regiment, as Col Hughes was a former Honorary Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel, and one of only two "Normandy" donors within the 1860 Club.

A tribute page can be found at https://www.1860club.ca/hughesmemorial

D-Day Dinner at Casa Loma (June 6th, 2022)

The Regiment has booked Casa Loma for a special dinner on June 6th, 2022.  This dinner will serve several purposes: commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Regiment's landing in Normandy, recognizing our incoming Honorary Colonels, and bringing together members of the Regimental family.    Invitations will be sent out in March.

For an exclusive sponsorship opportunity, please contact us at info@1860club.ca

 Nijmegen 2022

This year, with the world gradually reopening, the 1860 Club is planning to put a team together to participate in the upcoming International Four Days Marches Nijmegen taking place in The Netherlands from 19-22 July 2022.

This is the largest multiple-day marching event in the world.  Participants walk 30, 40 or 50 kilometres daily depending on their age and gender and, on completion, receive a royally approved medal (Vierdaagsekruis).  The participants are mostly civilians, but there are also a few thousand military participants.  During the event, there is the opportunity to visit historic sites in Regimental History including the Town of Nijmegen and Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, where many members of the Regiment are buried (including Sgt Aubrey Cosens, VC). 

Standard distances
30 km × 4 days (Men and Women under 16 or over 60)
40 km × 4 days (Men 16—18 and 50—60, Women 16—60)
50 km × 4 days (Men 19—49) 

A team consists of minimum 11 pers (which must finish together) in one of the the above categories.

Presently we are attempting to field two teams (1x 40km and 1x50km).

Accommodations have been secured and travel arrangements are to be made individually, with more information to follow.

Work up training is required for all that participate with a distance test to be completed prior to departure. There will also be a callout for a support team (drivers, cooks, etc).

If you are interested in participating in either the 40 or 50 km category or the support team, please contact us at info@1860club.ca

More information about the marches can be found here: https://www.4daagse.nl/en

Black History Month 

February is Black History Month, and The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada is proud of its rich history of diversity.  We would like to share with you a project that recognizes Black Canadian Veterans with participation from the Regiment.

The Black Canadian Veterans website is adding new profiles daily.  Three D-Day veterans are highlighted, including Rfn Lester Brown (pictured above), Cpl John Alexander and Sgt Lloyd Turner.  Please follow their important work on Facebook and Instagram.

Book Recommendation

As part of the The Rifles Report, the Commanding Officer will be recommending a book every month, that may be of interest to members of the Regimental family. This month's recommended reading is: 

Battlegrounds
by H. R. McMaster

Congratulations to Nicole Hoffer

Congratulations to Nicole Hoffer, owner of Canada House in Bernières-sur-Mer for being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).  Her husband Hervé, who passed away in 2017, was also awarded the MSM from the Government of Canada.  Nicole and her family have been advocates and representatives of the Regiment in Normandy, while maintaining Canada House as a tribute to those who fought there.

The QOR Association

On behalf of The QOR of C Association (Toronto Branch) Executive, we extend to all members of the Regimental family and their families all the best for 2022.  Let’s hope this year is much better.

 Members were saddened to hear of the passing of Colonel Paul Hughes on January 8th, and a number of us soldiered with him.  Rest in Peace, Sir.  The Association has made a donation to The Princess Alexandra Bursary in his memory.

 Our “Keep Connected” group has increased lately, presently numbering 64 members.  Well done, Jerry Senethko!  I have set up a Zoom get-together for the Association on February 12th at 14:00 at this link.  This gives us the opportunity to see each other (what we look like now!) and socialize.  The Association looks forward to events this coming year, once we can get together in person again.

 Congratulations to Steve Budden (my brother) who was in the Regiment in the 70's and 80's, counting 14 years of service.  Through the Keep Connected group and an extra push from me, he received the Canadian Forces Decoration last week.  It only took a year and a half, plus 40 years!

 Thanks to all who renewed memberships for 2022.  It is our goal to remain one of the most active Military Associations in Canada.  Questions can be directed to our Membership Chairperson, Ann Ward, at qora.membership@gmail.com.  Also, for Association members: I encourage you to join the 1860 Club. It’s free and comes with access to the monthly newsletter and much more.

Health & Welfare Report—QORA (Toronto Branch)

Members at Sunnybrook Health & Sciences Centre
Major (Ret'd) David Vine - "L" Wing 2nd Floor - Room L2 - 40 LSSE
Sergeant (Ret'd) Andy MacNaughton - "L" Wing - 3rd Floor LTSE L341 

In Hospital
WWII D-Day Veteran - Alex Adair (98 years old) - Cobourg, Ontario. 

In Veteran’s Wing at Parkwood – London, Ontario
WWII Veteran - George Beardshaw (98 years old) - London, Ontario. 

At Home
CWO (ret'd) Brian Budden - Recovering from Total Hip Replacement
Ron Craig - Recovering at Home

Brian Budden
President
Health & Welfare Chairman
QORA (Toronto Branch)

In Pace Paratus
Rifleman Strong!

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.

Please visit the QOR Kit Shop here.

The museum is open, and regular volunteer nights have resumed. Please visit our website at qormuseum.org for more information, as well as our YouTube page!

As you may have heard, curator John Stephens has taken leave from the museum to focus on his battle with cancer, with CWO (Ret'd) Shaun Kelly appointed as Acting Curator.  We encourage you to support him and follow his journey at https://myjourneywithcancer.ca

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.

Trust Fund and Fundraising Update 

Since the launch of the 1860 Club, our members have donated over $150,000 to support The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund.  We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your generosity, and recognize the following members:

Normandy 1944 Donors
Over $186,000 in lifetime contributions 

HLCol Lionel Goffart, OStJ, CD 
Col Paul F Hughes, CD (Ret’d)

Vimy 1917 Donors
Over $18,600 in lifetime contributions

Capt (Ret’d) Bernie Aaron
HLCol (Ret'd) Brendan Caldwell
Lt J. Chris Donald
Mr. Bryan Gransden
Capt (Ret'd) Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD
Hermant Family Foundation
HCol Larry Stevenson, CD
LCol (Ret’d) John Strathy, CD
WO (Ret’d) Philip ten Kortenaar, CD
True Patriot Love Foundation

1860 Club Founders 

Col (Ret’d) William Ball—US Army
LCol (Ret’d) William Barnard, CD
LCol Sandi Banerjee, CD
Mr. Hans G. Bathija
Bruce Beauchamp Memorial Fund and Mr. Terry Beauchamp
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
2Lt Martin Bunch
LCol (Ret’d) Greg Burton, CD
HLCol (Ret'd) Brendan Caldwell
Maj (Ret’d) Allan Champion, CD
Capt (Ret’d) Robert Chan, CD and Ms. Annie Li
Ms. Linda Di Felice
Lt J. Chris Donald
WO (Ret’d) Bob Dunk, CD
Lt Brandon Filatow
LCol (Ret’d) John Fotheringham, CD
2Lt Juron Grant-Kinnear
MCpl Robert Grieve
Cpl Lee Harrison, CD
Capt (Ret'd) Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD
Hermant Family Foundation
WO David Hodgson, CD
MGen (Ret’d) Walter Holmes, MStJ, MSM, CD, MBE
Ms. Lana Holmes
Col (Ret’d) Paul F Hughes CD
Jackman Foundation
CWO Jeff Johnson, CD
CWO (Ret’d) Shaun Kelly, CD
LCol Frank Lamie, CD
MWO Darnel Leader, CD
Maj Samuel Leibel, CD
Capt Ben-Jaemin Lee, CD
Capt Roland Llewellyn-Thomas, CD
Mr. James Lutz
Capt (Ret'd) Brian MacDonald
Maj Henry McCabe, MMM, CD (Ret’d)
Ms. Michele McCarthy
Ms. Jenna Zuschlag Misener
Lt David Merrithew
Mr. Nick Migliore
LCol Scott Moody, CD
CWO (Ret’d)John O’Connor, CD
Mr. Carmine Nigro
Capt David Pampe, CD
Dr. Dylan Pannell, CD
Lt Marco Petta
Cpl Sharl Robinson
Maj (Ret’d) Anthony Schultz, CD
CWO Mark Shannon, MMM, CD
MGen (Ret’d) John Sharpe, CMM, CD
Capt Kevin Sheedy, CD
Maj (Ret’d) John Stephens, CD
Mr. Tristan Strathy
WO (Ret’d) Philip ten Kortenaar, CD
Dr. Lynn Tomkins
Capt (Ret'd) Usman (Uzi) Valiante
Mr. Jeffrey Wallace
LCol (Ret'd) Tony Welsh, CD
LCol (Ret'd) Rob Zeidler, MStJ, CD

For more information on supporting the Trust Fund, please click here, or contact us.

Watch and Shoot (Upcoming Events)

March 26th, 2022
Operation Varsity Event CAFA / BAFA at Moss Park Armoury 

April 22nd, 2022
CAFA Airborne Luncheon at RCMI 

June 6th, 2022
D-Day and 1860 Club Dinner at Casa Loma 

June 12th, 2022
Family Day and BBQ at CFB Borden 

TBC
Golf Tournament 

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/jjni
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 Martin Bunch, 1860 Club Communications Director at editor@1860club.ca