THE POWDER HORN

Quarterly Newsletter
January 2023

COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE

2022 was a banner year for the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada.  The Regiment continued to be physically fit, tactically competent and regimentally sound.  We had many significant accomplishments during the year, which included supporting 3 RCR on JRTC, Exercise Stalwart Guardian, the first Annual D-Day Dinner, Operation Rha, and welcoming Honorary Colonel Major-General (Ret’d) David Fraser. 

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada has hit the ground running in 2023 by leading courses and unit training.  We will start the year by recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the Parachute Task and welcoming Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas.  During the year, we will have many of our members deploy overseas in support of named missions.  We will also continue to maintain our momentum with further training opportunities for our members.

In Pace Paratus 

LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada

RIFLEMAN ALEX ADAIR (1923-2022)

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of the last surviving D-Day Veteran, Rifleman Alex Adair. Rfn Adair was famously photographed after securing Canada House on Juno Beach (second from left, above). His obituary can be found below.

Passed away in peace in his 100th year, at the Golden Plough Lodge in Cobourg, on Saturday, December 24, 2022. Harold Alexander (Alex) Adair born on August 17, 1923 in Tamworth, Ontario. As a member of B Company of the Queen’s Own Rifles, Alex landed on Juno Beach on D-Day, and he survived to live a long and full life. Predeceased by his parents, Reg Adair and Jean Adair (née Adams), and by his younger siblings, Mary Cousins (Ray) and Thomas Adair. Former husband of Mary (May) Brownlie Adair. They remained close, especially in their later years, until her death in November 2022, also in her 100th year. Loving father of Elaine Adair of Richmond, B.C., and Kevin Adair of Brampton. In addition to his daughter and son, Alex is survived by his grandchildren Harmony (Trevor), Jesse (Priscilla), Spencer and MacKenzie, and six great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Tamworth in the spring of 2023, with the date and details to be announced. In the care of Hannah Funeral Home, in Tamworth.

Rfn Adair was interviewed for the 75th anniversary of D-Day, where he recounted his experiences during the landings, as well as their subsequent battles. The video can be found here.

A celebration of his life is being planned for April-May, 2023. We will remember him.

CHANGE of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada appointed Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas in a ceremony on Sunday, January 22 at Casa Loma, Toronto.  The ceremony, which was presided over by Honorary Colonel Major-General (Retired) David Fraser, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD, was attended by the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

A full report will follow in the next issue of The Powder Horn.

Mrs. Muriel Eagle and son Brian Eagle Receive Tokens of Appreciation from the QOR of C

On 16 December 2022 Mrs. Muriel Eagle and her son Mr. Brian Eagle accepted a portrait of the current serving officers and soldiers of the QOR of C.  Mrs. Eagle is a longtime benefactor of the QOR of C Regimental Trust and spouse of the late Sergeant Tom Eagle, who served with the QOR across Western Canada and Germany.  He finished his Regular Army career wearing our cap badge in Yellowknife, where Muriel and son Brian live today.

In 2019 then-serving, now-retired, Captain Kevin Sheedy took a 3 ½ year class B contract at Joint Task Force North in Yellowknife.  Upon doing so, he was tasked by the Trust to locate Mrs. Eagle and contact her to accept a token of the Regiment’s thanks for her lifetime of support and to mark the legacy of her late husband Tom.  This led to a renewed acquaintance for the Regimental family, including an article in last year’s Rifleman chronicling the Eagle family’s many accomplishments and lifetime of service to Canada.

The presentation was organised by MWO Floyd Powder (Ret’d) and took place at the Tom Eagle Friendship Centre in Yellowknife.

CWO (Ret’d) Brian Budden receives the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award

On 13 January 2023 CWO (Ret’d) Brian Budden, CD, was awarded the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award.  Brian is a former RSM of the Regiment and current President & Health & Welfare Chairman of the Toronto Branch of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association.  His biography can be found here.  The award was presented by MP for Mississauga Erin Mills Iqra Khalid.  The award reads:

“Thank you for your years of service to Canadians.  Your commitment to our country as a veteran of the Canadian Armed Forces and ongoing support for our community in Mississauga-Erin Mills is truly commendable.  This award is a testament to your hard work.  I wish you the very best in your future endeavors.”

Congratulations Brian, this is well deserved!

AFGHANISTAN: Bring a Canadian Hero to Canada

Many of you will be aware of the plight of Afghan nationals who risked their lives to work with Canadian soldiers in the Afghanistan war.  One such hero is Hajji Abdul Samad Nawabi, who worked with the Canadian Forces from 2006 until 2011.  Having narrowly evaded the Taliban earlier this year, Hajji and his family have been promised special immigration status, which has not yet materialized.  If you are able, we invite you to help bring this hero and his family to safety.  Donations can be made through Wounded Warriors Canada: 

https://woundedwarriorscanada.akaraisin.com/ui/woundedwarriors/p/ee631442707345a7b2995cece357e59d

Book Recommendation

Rogue Heroes: The History of the SAS, Britain's Secret Special Forces Unit That Sabotaged the Nazis and Changed the Nature of War

by Ben Macintyre

Britain’s Special Air Service—or SAS—was the brainchild of David Stirling, a young, gadabout aristocrat whose aimlessness in early life belied a remarkable strategic mind. Where most of his colleagues looked at a battlefield map of World War II’s African theater and saw a protracted struggle with Rommel’s desert forces, Stirling saw an opportunity: given a small number of elite, well-trained men, he could parachute behind enemy lines and sabotage their airplanes and war material. Paired with his constitutional opposite, the disciplined martinet Jock Lewes, Stirling assembled a revolutionary fighting force that would upend not just the balance of the war, but the nature of combat itself. He faced no little resistance from those who found his tactics ungentlemanly or beyond the pale, but in the SAS’s remarkable exploits facing the Nazis in the Africa and then on the Continent can be found the seeds of nearly all special forces units that would follow.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches 2023

The Nijmegen 4 Day Marches will be held from 18-21 July 2023 in the town of Nijmegen in the Netherlands.  

The 1860 Club intends on fielding a team of 11; the team will pay its own way.  Currently, the Hotel Haarhuis in Arnhem is booked; it is beside the train station in Arnhem and will take you straight into Nijmegen centre in 20 minutes where the starting line is located.  The Hotel provides a Nijmegen package with breakfast and dinner.  Currently, we have 5 Double Rooms and 4 Single Rooms booked with the hope that we can bring a team of 11.

Distance will be 40km per day with a 10kg pack for those under 50.  A detailed and highly recommended training package will be provided.  Specific event training will start in March 2023. 

Expressions of interest must be sent to info@1860club.ca by January 31st, 2022.

Estimated Costs 

Event registration: Around $150 CAD
Flights: $1000-1500
Hotel, Single Occupancy (7 days with Breakfast): $1300
Double Occupancy (7 days with Breakfast): $800
Train Costs: Around $200
Food Costs: Around: $400

Schedule 

15/16 July - Arrival and Registration – Opening Ceremonies – Groesbeek Ceremony 
17 July – Preparation Day – Sunset Ceremony
18 July – Day 1
19 July – Day 2
20 July – Day 3
21 July – Day 4
22 July – Recover – Depart

The QOR Association—Victoria Island Branch

It was a supreme honour to have the privilege of presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to the past president of the QOR of C Association, VIB, Tom Martin. Tom served in that position for over ten years and was also the Vice President of the Toronto National Association for several years, as well as a Director on that Association. He also, on several occasions, attended the Annual AGM in Toronto along with Major-General Pitts at his own expense and ensured that our Association was well represented. 

This Award is well deserved and serves as acknowledgement of his tireless efforts over the years, to ensure that we remained a strong and vibrant organization. Retired Hon. Col. Walter Holmes was to present this award, but due to travel issues, could not attend. However, Col (Ret'd) Richard Cowling (member of this Association) was contacted and asked if he was willing to make the presentation on his behalf. The Framed Scroll was presented to Tom Martin by Col. Richard Cowling at our November Luncheon, which was well attended by Family, Friends, and Comrades.

“Tom:  I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honour than you. Not just for your work with the Association, but for your obvious care and concern you have shown your comrades for many, many, years. Your selfless actions went beyond the Queen’s Own and were shared equally with your friends and neighbours in Victoria and beyond. And of course, a portion of this award belongs to your lovely wife, Irmgard, who has supported you in your endeavors all the way.” —Bob Dunk

The QOR Association—Toronto Branch 

It is with great sadness that I convey to you the passing of our last surviving D-Day Veteran, Rifleman Alex Adair, in his 100th year. Alex was on the first wave with B Company on D-Day (at the famous QOR D-Day House) and was a proud member of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. Alex, you will be dearly missed by your comrades-in-arms.

I have been communicating with Alex’s daughter, Elaine, and she is looking at holding the celebration of Life for her father in late April or early May 2023 in Tamworth, Ontario.

On behalf of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch), I would also like to extend our deepest condolences to the Edie family on the passing of Rifleman Reginald Arthur “Reg” Edie.

He will be dearly missed.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. 

Membership Update

A note on membership: Besides sending a cheque or money order for membership dues, as in the past, but now you can 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 January 31st, 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

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 Saturday, November 5th, 2022, the Museum was pleased to hold our first QOR Day at Casa Loma since the fall of 2019.  Once again, we had re-enactors, members of the Vintage Signals group, members of the 2nd Intelligence Company, a 2881 Cadet Corps exhibit, a quintet from the Regimental Band, and a large number of serving soldiers from the regiment, as well as a number of museum staff volunteers. Thanks to everyone for helping out and to the Casa Loma staff for their assistance to make the day successful. 

Museum Staff Changes

Effective November, Major (Ret'd) John Stephens will assume the role of Museum Director, and Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) Shaun Kelly, CD will become the Museum Curator. In addition, Briahna Bernard will replace Cheryl Nairn as Collections Officer. Cheryl has moved to Windsor and at February’s Volunteer Recognition night, she was presented (virtually) with the Commanding Officer’s Commendation for her 10 years of service on our museum team! We will certainly miss her, but Cheryl will continue to assist us as much as she can remotely.

John M. Stephens, CD
Major (Ret’d)
Museum Director and Archivist

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.

Watch and Shoot (Upcoming Events)  

February 4
Sergeants' Mess Wine & Cheese
Moss Park Armoury

February 11
Toronto Garrison Officers' Ball
Beanfield Centre

April 26
Regimental Birthday

June 6
D-Day Dinner

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 
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