THE POWDER HORN
Monthly Newsletter
March 2024
COMMAND TEAM UPDATE
This month, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada were proud to pay homage to the memory of Sgt Aubrey Cosens. At the end of February, facilitated and overseen by dedicated members of the Regimental Trust, the Command Team, Honouraries and Regimental Museum participated in the transfer of his Victora Cross to the Canadian War Museum. This event was paired with a larger parade by the serving unit in the middle of March, marking the occasion and celebrating not only Cosens’ accomplishments, but those of our Riflemen who carry his memory and spirit forward every day.
Over the course of the first weekend in March, Para Company deployed to CFB Trenton to conduct Exercise PEGASUS STRIKE. The objective of the two-day event was to support annual certification by aircrew of both 426 and 436 Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force, while honing parachuting capabilities and maintaining currency. Though poor visibility prevented jumping on the first day, conditions improved enough to allow double-door exits with full equipment the following afternoon.
On March 9th, Capt Toffan, Sgt Koch, and Cpl Wrobel participated in panel discussions and presentations regarding their service and experiences as women within the Canadian Army, as part of International Women’s Day events in Toronto. Not only did they represent the unit in a professional manner, they established themselves as role models and delivered an extremely positive message to the audience.
Throughout the month, soldiers conducted urban operations training at Moss Park Armoury. Unit instructors led lessons that progressed from individual to section-level drills, including room entries, movement and breaching techniques.
On the final weekend of March, the Regiment conducted two simultaneous activities: 60th Company, supported by Victora Company, deployed to 4 CDTC Meaford to undertake Exercise CRASH CAN, while a section of Recce Platoon members from Normandy Company deployed to support the 48th Highlanders on Exercise ARGYLL TERROR in Petawawa. Exercise CRASH CAN was a high-intensity affair, where members completed multiple iterations of force-on-force scenarios in an urban environment. Riflemen executed deliberate attacks in a complex environment, while also rehearsing casualty evacuation, detainee collection, and comprehensive back-briefs for senior leaders.
In Pace Paratus
Chris Boileau
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer
Justin Thorn
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major
Regimental Band Spring Concert
Please join the Band and Bugles of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada for the Spring Concert on April 7th, 2024 at 4:00 p.m. The free concert will take place at the Church of the Redeemer at 162 Bloor Street West, Toronto.
More updates regarding the Regimental Band and Bugles can be found here. In addition, a selection of past performs can be viewed through the QOR Museum YouTube page.
34th Annual Airborne Luncheon
As a reminder, the 34th Annual Luncheon of the Canadian Airborne Forces Association will take place at 11:30 on April 19th, 2024 at the Royal Canadian Military Institute (426 University Avenue, Toronto). Please RSVP to Susan Cook at slc@rcmi.org by April 7th.
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
Sgt Cosens' Victoria Cross Transfer to Canadian War Museum
On Monday, 26 February 2024, members of the serving Regiment, the Regimental Trust, and the Regimental Museum and Archive, oversaw the transfer of Sergeant Aubrey Cosens’ Victoria Cross to the Canadian War Museum. While our museum would have been proud to exhibit this valuable piece, we have never been able to display it securely. As a result, it has been held in secure storage for many years.
This historic artifact, important not only to Regimental history but also that of the country, will finally be given the recognition and access that it truly deserves. In due course, it will be added to the Canadian War Museum’s existing Cosens exhibit.
Those in attendance were Honorary Colonel Major-General (Ret'd) David Fraser, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel Manjit Minhas, Commanding Officer Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Boileau, Regimental Sergeant Major Chief Warrant Officer Justin Thorn, Regimental Trust President Major (Ret’d) Tony Schultz, Trust member Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret'd) John Fotheringhamand Regimental Museum Director Major (Ret’d) John Stephens.
More information on Sgt Cosens is available through his museum page; his full VC citation can be found below:
“In Holland on the night of 25th-26th February 1945, the 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada launched an attack on the hamlet of Mooshof, to capture ground which was considered essential for the development of future operations.
Sergeant Cosens’ platoon, with two tanks in support, attacked enemy strong points in three farm buildings, but were twice beaten back by fanatical enemy resistance and then fiercely counter-attacked, during which time the platoon suffered heavy casualties and the platoon commander was killed.
Sergeant Cosens at once assumed command of the only other four survivors of his platoon, whom he placed in a position to give him covering fire, while he himself ran across open ground under heavy mortar and shell fire to the one remaining tank, where, regardless of the danger, he took up an exposed place in front of the turret and directed his fire.
After a further enemy counter-attack had been repulsed, Sergeant Cosens ordered the tank to attack the farm buildings, while the four survivors of his platoon followed in close support. After the tank had rammed the first building he entered it alone, killing several of the defenders and taking the rest prisoner.
Single-handed he then entered the second and third buildings, and personally killed or captured all the occupants, although under intense machine-gun and small arms fire.
Just after the successful reduction of these important enemy strong points, Sergeant Cosens was shot through the head by an enemy sniper and died almost instantly.
The outstanding gallantry, initiative and determined leadership of this brave N.C.O., who himself killed at least 20 of the enemy and took an equal number of prisoners, resulted in the capture of a position which was vital to the success of the future operations of the Brigade.”
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 QOR Association (Toronto Branch) Annual General Meeting is coming up:
QORA (Toronto Branch) AGM
Date: Saturday, April 13th, 2024
Location: Royal Canadian Legion Highland Creek Branch 258 (305 Morrish Road, Toronto, ON M1C 1E9)
Agenda
9:30-10:00 a.m. - Coffee, Tea, and Pastries
10:00 a.m. - Meeting to start
12:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00-2:00 p.m. - Open Discussion/meeting concludes
Dress: QOR Regimental Blazer/Casual
Once again we want to thank the QOR members that have paid their Association Dues for 2024.
Regular member - $25.00 a year
Serving Member’s (MCpls and below) - $10.00 a year
To pay by e-mail:
The address is qora-tor-treasurer@rogers.com (No password)
To pay by mail:
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch) Association Dues
1235 Trafalgar Road
PO Box 84024
Oakville, ON L6H 3J0
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 108 year tradition of service to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association.
Also, if you know of a former member or anyone that would be interested in becoming a member, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you have let your membership lapse, please use this opportunity to rejoin the QOR Toronto Association, and become part of the QOR Regimental family!
To those in hospital or at home, we wish you all a speedy recovery.
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)
April 7, 2024
Regimental Band Spring Concert
April 13, 2024
QORA (Toronto Branch) AGM
April 19, 2024
CAFA Luncheon at RCMI
April 26, 2024
164th Regimental Birthday
May 26, 2024
QOR Family Day
June 1-8, 2024
D-Day 80th Anniversary Trip (Mess Dinner on June 6)
For more events, please consult the calendar of events.
Trust Fund and Fundraising Update
Auditor needed for Trust Fund
After many years of providing our Audit on a pro bono basis, our Auditor has informed us that he will no longer be doing our Audit due to his retirement.
An annual Audit of our Financial Statements is not a legal requirement, but the Trustees feel that it is important practice that ensures that the Trust is being run within legal and regulatory requirements as a well as adhering to the requirements of the Declaration of Trust.
The Trust Fund is asking the Regimental Family/1860 Club Members if they have any suggestions for the position of Auditor or contacts who may be suitable and/or interested in being our Auditor. Please forward any suggestions or contacts to: qorofctf@gmail.com
Thank you,
Maj (Ret’d) Anthony Schultz, CD
President
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund
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