THE POWDER HORN
Monthly Newsletter
February 2023
COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE
In January, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada began the process of preparing members for overseas deployments in multiple areas of operation. The unit also commenced a Cold Weather Operator Course (CWO) that is being held in Burwash, Ontario during our Maroon Frost series of exercises in January and February. In support of our Regular Force partner, we provided 10 jumpers to support the Jumpmaster Course run by 3 RCR in Petawawa—which produced the unit's newest Jumpmaster, Sgt Gordon Brown! This is not an easy course. The unit's Advanced Mountain Operations instructors are also preparing to launch a Basic Mountain Operations (BMO) course at the end of February.
On January 22nd, 2023 at Casa Loma, we welcomed our incoming Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas, while thanking outgoing Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Vicky Sunohara. The following week, RSM Johnston and HLCol Minhas had the opportunity to travel to the United Kingdom to meet Her Majesty, the Queen Consort at Buckingham Palace to update her on the Regiment. In addition, we were part of the presentation ceremony for the Canadian Forces Decoration (which she qualified for in 2022 for holding the position of Colonel-in-Chief of the Regiment since April 9th, 2010).
After the presentation, we had the opportunity to travel to France visit Normandy, with a stop at Vimy Ridge. Once in Normandy, we met with Nicole Hoffer from Canada House and the Mayors of Anisy, Anguerny, Bernières-sur-Mer, and Giberville. We spent the afternoon planning the Regiment's participation in the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, and have an excellent way forward. In 2024, we are planning to bring 65 members to commemorate the 80th Anniversary and will be launching a fundraising campaign in June.
In Pace Paratus
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
Colonel in Chief Awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration
Recently, the QOR of C Command Team, LCol Scott Moody and CSM Jeff Johnson, together with HLCol Manjit Minhas, travelled to London to meet with the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief, Her Majesty Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom. The decoration was awarded to The Queen Consort on Wednesday, February 8th by Brigadier-General Dwayne Parsons, shortly after her private audience with the Regiment’s Commanding Officer. The Canadian Forces Decoration was presented to The Queen Consort in recognition of her 12 years of service as the Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief, and was earned while she was still HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.
Change of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel at Casa Loma
On January 22nd, 2023 at Casa Loma, we welcomed our new Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas and thanked Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Vicky Sunohara for her service. HLCol Minhas comes to us as a proven entrepreneur and business leader. She will promote the Regiment's interests and provide guidance and insight to the Regimental Family and serving Unit. If you missed the ceremony, you can watch the highlights on the Museum's YouTube page.
40th Anniversary of the QOR Parachute Tasking
On January 21st, 2023, more than 100 jumpers past and present gathered to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Parachute Tasking. Hosted out of the Senior NCO’s mess, with overflow and food in the Officers’ Mess; this reunion was a great afternoon! Thank you to attendees and volunteers for making it so!
If you would like to order an extra shirt or coin, you can do so through the QOR Kit Shop (items will be available shortly).
There are also several cases left of Para Coy 40th Anniversary Airborne Lager to order: https://www.greatlakesbeershop.ca/product/airborne-lager-5-0-/1508.
Airborne!
Profile: Sergeant Lloyd Turner
Sgt Lloyd Turner of The Queens Own Rifles of Canada spent almost 5 years in Europe fighting through France, Belgium and into Germany. This included the D-Day landings. He was wounded three times and spent V-E Day in a Belgium Hospital.
Lloyd shared several experiences during an interview when he was 71.
"My first experience with combat was June 6th-D-Day. We started going in on these assault landing craft. The water was rough as hell.
As soon as the door dropped, we started running for the retaining wall. The Germans were firing by that time. I looked back and saw some of these guys lying on the beach, and others lying half in the water and the tide was taking them.
I was petrified but we had been trained so well you never asked a question. When I got up against the the wall, I cut off my Mae West and tears were running down my face. What the hell am I doing here, I said. They're trying to kill us!
The first time I was wounded we were going through Hochwald Forest into Germany just before the war ended. They were mortaring us and I did not know I was hit.
I went to get up, but there was something wrong with my legs. I looked down, and my my pant leg was ripped and blood was coming down.
The bones were smashed in one leg, and I had a flesh wound in the other.
Four of us who met in Toronto went over and did our training together, and got into the same battalion. I'm the only one left.
Tommy Underwood got killed on D-day, Fred Wilkerson got it up in Caen by a sniper. Steve Strut got up as far as the Hochwald line with me..."
Lloyd was born in Toronto on November 11th, Remembrance Day and died peacefully on July12, 2002. You can learn more about Sgt Turner through Black Canadian Veterans (@blackcanadianveterans).
The QOR Association—Toronto Branch
Last month we reported the passing of Rfn Alex Adair (Ret’d). We wanted to let you know that letters of condolence have been received on Alex’s passing from Lawrence MacAulay, the Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, Shelley Compton, Director of the Executive Services Unit at Veterans Affairs Canada. If you wish to see them, they can be found here and here.
Membership Update
A note on membership: Besides sending a cheque or money order for membership dues, as in the past, you can now pay electronically.
Mailing address: The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch), 1235 Trafalgar Road, P.O. Box 84024, Oakville, Ontario. L6H 3J0
To pay by e-mail, the address is qora-tor-treasurer@rogers.com
Thank you for renewing your membership. It is our goal to make sure our Association remains one of the most active military Associations in Canada. By sending your dues, you are part of a 107th year tradition of service to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association.
Your membership for 2023 will be renewed when we receive $25.00, which is due on February 28, 2023. We appreciate your support, and by renewing your membership, you help us carry out our role in the Regimental Family.
In Pace Paratus
Brian Budden
President
Health & Welfare Chairman
QORA (Toronto Branch
Canadian Airborne Forces Association Luncheon
The Airborne Luncheon will be held at the Royal Canadian Military Institute on Friday, April 21st, 2023 from 1200 to 1500. To RSVP, please email Susan Cook at susan.cook@rcmi.org
If you would like to become a member or update your CAFA membership, please visit https://www.canadianairborneforces.ca/membership-1
You may also contact us to confirm your membership status at CAFATreas_Mbrshp@yahoo.ca
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 Stainless Steel Coffee Cups and Water Bottles from canuckcanada.ca.
Please visit the QOR Kit Shop here.
QOR Day at Casa Loma
On Thursday February 2nd, museum Board members and volunteers gathered in the impressive library of the Royal Canadian Military Institute for a reception to recognize service to the museum in 2022.
Volunteers racked up 1,237 hours in 2022 which contributed to our all-time total of 114,118 hours – which would equal almost $300,000 in wages if this had been paid work!
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to volunteers Briahna Bernard, Anne Frazer, Shaun Kelly, Colin Sedgewick-Pinn, and Bruce Taylor; and board members Adam Hermant, Jenna Misner-Zuschlag, and Jim Lutz. Unable to attend to receive their certificates were Rob Grieve, Ken Kominek, Steve Hu, Steven Ye, Matt Noel, Steven Abra, Mario Carvalho, Graham Humphrey, Olivier Laquerre, Cheryl Nairn, and Harry Patel.
Also present were new Board Chair Michele McCarthy, board member Lisa Holmes, and volunteers Morgan Ryder, Kevin Hebib, Jordan Balch, and Museum Liaison Officer, Capt Dave Pampe.
On behalf of the Commanding Officer (who was out of the country) Dave also presented the Commanding Officer's Commendation to our new Curator Shaun Kelly on ten years of volunteering with the museum.
If you’re interested in volunteering with us in 2023, please contact us at museum@qormuseum.org.
Volunteer nights at the QOR museum have resumed. Please visit our website at qormuseum.org for more information, as well as our YouTube channel!
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.
Firearms Safety Course
Prof. Tim Richardson (formerly Vimy Platoon, Buffs Company early 1990’s) has become certified to teach the RCMP CFSC (Canadian Firearms Safety Course) and RCMP CRFSC (Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course) and is looking for members of the Regiment (past or present) who would be interested in these courses on weekends in February and March.
Successful completion of the CFSC course allows you to apply to receive a PAL (Possession Acquisition License) which will permit you to buy shotguns, rifles, ammunition, and other non-Restricted firearms.
While there may be some current legislation limiting handguns, the RCMP CRFSC is still allowed to be taught and people who do this weekend course will be eligible to obtain their R/PAL (Restricted Possession Acquisition License) which will be of benefit should you be presently, or in the future, applying for a job with any police service, or border services agency, or other federal or provincial organization, or business that requires you to have an ATC (Authorization to Carry for Lawful Employment).
$190 for the basic CFSC (2 days) which allows you to apply for the PAL
$150 for the Restricted CRFSC which allows you to apply for the R/PAL - IF you had done the basic CFSC within 30 days.
Contact Tim Richardson for more information - instructor@witiger.com, or tim.richardson@senecacollege.ca
Watch and Shoot (Upcoming Events)
March 8 at 19:30
Capt Tom Foulds Retirement Function—Officers' Mess
RSVP to cesttout@paratus.ca
April 21 at 11:30
33rd Annual Canadian Airborne Forces Association Luncheon—RCMI
RSVP to susan.cook@rcmi.org
April 26
Regimental Birthday—TBC
June 6
D-Day Dinner—Casa Loma
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
Maj Chris Boileau, CD
WO Jason Bridge, CD
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
Lt Martin Bunch
LCol (Ret’d) Greg Burton, CD
HLCol (Ret'd) Brendan Caldwell
Ms. Dara Carpenter
Maj (Ret’d) Allan Champion, CD
Capt (Ret’d) Robert Chan, CD and Ms. Annie Li
Mr. Michael Chisholm
Lt Ricardo Chiu, CD
Maj Daniel Copeland, CD
WO Michael Currie, CD
MWO Adam de Bartok, MMM, CD
Ms. Linda Di Felice
MGen (Ret’d) David Fraser, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD
Lt J. Chris Donald
WO (Ret’d) Bob Dunk, CD
Capt Brandon Filatow
LCol (Ret’d) John Fotheringham, CD
Capt T.L. (Tom) Foulds, CD
2Lt Juron Grant-Kinnear
MCpl Robert Grieve
Cpl Lee Harrison, CD
Capt (Ret'd) Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD
Hermant Family Foundation
Mr. Winston Hewlin
WO David Hodgson, CD
MGen (Ret’d) Walter Holmes, MStJ, MSM, CD, MBE
Ms. Lana Holmes
Capt Ted Howard
Padre (Ret’d) John Howie, CD
Col (Ret’d) Paul F Hughes CD
Jackman Foundation
CWO Jeff Johnson, CD
CWO (Ret’d) Shaun Kelly, CD
WO Inasio Kim, CD and Ms. Lorena Kim
2Lt Matthew Kocal
LCol Frank Lamie, CD
MWO Darnel Leader, CD
Maj Samuel Leibel, CD
Capt Ben-Jaemin Lee, CD
LEMAC Services
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
Mr. Jansen Ng
Capt David Pampe, CD
2Lt Weng Pan
Dr. Dylan Pannell, CD
Mr. Keith Perera
Lt Marco Petta
Cpl Sharl Robinson
Maj (Ret’d) Adam Saunders, CD
Mr. Eric Schneider
Maj (Ret’d) Anthony Schultz, CD
CWO Mark Shannon, MMM, CD
MGen (Ret’d) John Sharpe, CMM, CD
Capt Kevin Sheedy, CD
LCol Peter St. Denis, MSC, 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
Sgt Justin Wright, CD
LCol (Ret'd) Rob Zeidler, MStJ, CD
For more information on supporting the Trust Fund, please click here, or 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/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