THE POWDER HORN
Regimental Newsletter
Spring 2021
Welcome to a special edition of The Powder Horn, celebrating the 161st Regimental Birthday of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Although we must celebrate this year's anniversary remotely, we would like to take this opportunity to highlight some notable Riflemen that have contributed to the storied history of the Regiment.
As part of its relaunch, The Powder Horn will be published up to four times per year, seasonally. A shorter update, The Rifles Report, will come out in those months not covered by The Power Horn. Submissions to both are invited from all members of the extended Regimental Family (see end of page for submission instructions).
Commanding Officer's Message
The Powder Horn has historically been a publication of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. The 1860 Club has chosen to re-establish it as a quarterly publication in order to promote better communications as a Regiment. Of note, this April marks the 161st Anniversary of the Regiment.
As Commanding Officer, I would like to take the time to give you a quick update about the serving Regiment. As many of you know, I was given the opportunity to command last September—a challenging time to command due to the pandemic. However, this challenge is not nearly as complex as what the Commanding Officers from WW1 and WW2 had to face.
The serving Regiment continues to train to ensure that we are ready to support Canadian Armed Forces lines of operations with our Regular Force partners, on both expeditionary and domestic operations.
The past year has been a roller coaster ride of change and adaptation. For many, it has been a chance to shine and lead. In the fight against COVID-19, our members contributed to Operation LASER, which included support to Long-Term Care Homes, and Op VECTOR which is the CAF support to vaccine distribution.
It is important to recognize the contribution of our members who have just returned from Operation IMPACT in the Middle East: MCpl Jessome, Sgt Frounze, WO Currie, MWO Leader, Capt Schamhart and Capt Toohey-Faughnan. This tasking is not easy in normal operating conditions, and COVID-19 has made this even more complex.
We have had the opportunity to focus on building our capacity and capability as Light Infanteers and Paratroopers. In the past year, we have qualified 4 new Platoon Commanders, 8 new Sergeants, and recently 2 new Platoon 2ICs with Sgt Hood and Sgt Thomas returning from Gagetown. Just this week, we have also received 11 newly qualified Infanteers.
Training continues in some very unique ways through the use of technology and new training events. For instance, our currently running “Challenge March” has been leveraged by our serving and former members (“The Fossils”), who have been leading by example. Soon, we will be launching a new initiative called the Ridgeway and Normandy Challenge March. This will be run exclusively through the 1860 Club, and will provide all members the opportunity to participate, earn the challenge coin, have fun, and pay tribute to the Fallen in their local areas.
The 1860 Club was successfully launched in February to better unify the components of the Regimental Family, effectively communicate, and to ensure the continued health of our Regimental initiatives and projects. I highly encourage you to join, if you have not had the opportunity to do so, at 1860club.ca.
We are hopeful to see a return to normal, and the opportunity to challenge our members in more collective settings. We also look forward to joining our Regular Force partners, 3 RCR, on their build-up to validation at the Joint Readiness Training Centre in Fort Polk, USA.
It is my honour to serve and lead the Regiment. We have an incredible and dedicated team within the serving Regiment and the Regimental Family.
Happy Birthday to the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada!
In Pace Paratus
Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Regiment's Colonel-in-Chief, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall
On Monday, February 15th, 2021, HCol MGen Walter Holmes (Ret’d), CO LCol Scott Moody and RSM CWO Jeff Johnston had the opportunity to virtually meet with The Regiment’s Colonel-in-Chief, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall. The thirty-minute call went very well and commenced with the introduction of the new Command Team, followed by an update on the Regiment’s current situation. The discussion turned to members of the Regiment that were involved in overseas deployments and Operation LASER, in the fight against COVID-19.
The Colonel-in-Chief discussed the role that the Armed Forces has played in the United Kingdom in the fight against COVID-19. She was very interested in those who had been deployed in support of Long-Term Care Homes. At the conclusion of the conversation, the Colonel-in-Chief expressed her sincerest gratitude to those deployed on expeditionary and domestic operations. This was later followed up by a direct mention of the meeting on Twitter from Clarence House, and a handwritten note expressing HRH’s thanks to the Regiment.
The Ridgeway and Normandy Challenge March
The beginning of June marks two significant battles within the history of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. June 2nd, 2021 will mark the 155th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgeway, the Regiment’s first combat action. On June 6th, the 77th Anniversary of D-Day takes place. Due to the current restrictions caused by the pandemic, the Regiment has had to find new and innovative ways to engage the Regimental Family. Since February, a marching Challenge has taken place with impressive participation. Many marchers have also chosen to participate in the Virtual Victory March, which is being run by Task Force Nijmegen to commemorate the Liberation of Holland and Victory in Europe (a similar event was held by the QOR in June 2020 with great success).
Members of the QOR Regimental Family will have the opportunity to participate in the Challenge March between June 2nd and 9th in order to commemorate the Battle of Ridgeway and D-Day invasion.
The challenge will consist of the following options:
Those under 50 years of age: 2 x 20 km back-to-back marches (2 days in a row), with a 15 kg pack, between June 2-9, 2021.
Those over 50 years of age: 2 x 20 km marches on non-consecutive days, with no pack, between June 2-9, 2021.
Due to the current restrictions, participants need to complete this as individuals. Should the restrictions change, you may be able to complete this in small groups. Participants are encouraged to do this in their local areas and to take pictures of themselves at local war memorials.
Upon completion you will receive a certificate from The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, and the Normandy / Ridgeway Challenge Coin. This will be mailed to you or presented at MPA.
Participants will be able to sign up through the 1860 Club Member's Portal. Registration for this event will be open from April 30th to May 20th. The cost of registration will be $20.
April 26th, 2021—Celebrating 161 Years of Service
April 26th marks 161 years since the Second Battalion Volunteer Militia Rifles of Canada (later renamed The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada) was established by a General Militia Order. Since that time, the Regiment has served as both a Regular Force and Primary Reserve Regiment. Members of the Regiment have served in all major conflicts, domestic and abroad, to which the Government of Canada has dispatched troops. On the occasion of the 161st Regimental Birthday, this history is represented by six vignettes of members of The QOR of C who have served through the years, read by their fellow Riflemen.
Please follow the links for their profiles from the Regimental Museum.
The QOR of C Regimental Association
The QORA (Toronto Branch) since the Pandemic in March 2020 has not had the opportunity to be as active as we were in previous years. To keep members connected, one of our Executive member’s, Jerry Senetchko, came up with the idea to form a group called “Keeping Connected” – via the internet.
This group hosts nearly 60 former members that have served in the Regiment and some that continued serving in Canadian Regular Forces, British Forces, and American Forces; so we have members living all across Canada, England, Ireland and the USA. It has been very beneficial, as we share photo’s, laughter, and stories from the good times when serving together. It also connects with those that are living alone and need some comfort during these strange times.
I also have set up a Zoom get-together, thanks to the QOR Museum Curator John Stephens, every six weeks. This gives us the opportunity to see what we look like now; not being physically there you can express the feeling of seeing each other.
Earlier this year the Association lost three outstanding Rifleman – Major Norm MacCracken (Ret'd), Clay Downes and Sgt Ralph Schoenig (Ret'd).
This year’s Rifleman of the Year goes out to Jerry Senetchko for his outstanding contribution and his hard work setting up the QOR – Keeping Connected group. Well done, Jerry. Also, the Colonel Paul Hughes, CD & Bev Hughes Award for Excellence for ongoing contribution within the Regiment and Association goes to former RSM CWO Donovan O’Halloran. Well done, Donovan!
I would like to thank all members of the Association that renewed their 2021 membership; it is greatly appreciated. And to members of the Executive for their continuing support while going through these trying times. Thank You!
Also for members, I encourage you to join the 1860 Club at https://www.1860Club.ca.
The Association Facebook Page for information and updates is: https://www.facebook.com/qortorontoassociation
Stay Healthy and Safe! I look forward to meeting up again.
In Pace Paratus
Rifleman Strong!
CWO Brian Budden, CD (Ret'd)
QORA (Toronto Branch)
President & Health & Welfare Chairman
As with everything else for the past year, the Regimental Museum has faced challenges—primarily in physically accessing the museum and our collection. Despite that, our dedicated team of volunteers has continued to work remotely on various projects such as database entry and clean up, archiving, cataloging, social media, website updates, and responding to research requests and a host of other things.
Normally in the first quarter of each year we take one evening and hold a reception to recognize the work of our volunteers for the previous year. So, this year our reception went virtual and on Tuesday, February 16th, the Honorary Colonel and Commanding Officer joined our key volunteers and museum board members on Zoom to thank them for contributing over 1,000 hours of service on behalf of the museum in 2020, despite the COVID challenges.
Special thanks to our regular team members: Briahna Bernard, Anne Frazer, Rob Grieve, Pte Steven Hu, Sgt Graham Humphrey, CWO Shaun Kelly (Ret’d), CWO Ken Kominek (Ret’d), Cheryl Nairn, Colin Sedgwick-Pinn, and Steven Ye.
This first quarter of 2021 continues to be busy with 14 accessions received so far this year (some of which had 100’s of items) compared to 22 in total last year.
Over the Christmas holidays we transitioned our collections database from a local database to a cloud database, which has made life so much easier in working remotely! We continue data entry, and it now contains over 3,400 items and over 3,500 related individuals recorded (e.g., connected with an object or named in a photograph).
With this transition there also came a new online publicly accessible database of our collection which we invite you to check out if you haven’t already done so.
Major John Stephens, CD (Ret’d)
Curator
James Lutz
Board Chair
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.
2881 QOR Cadets Update
Operations and training at 2881 QOR Cadets, the Regiment’s Cadet Corps, have changed over the years, but never so much as now – a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. After the closing of Dalton Armoury, the Corps office was welcomed to RCL Branch #258 Highland Creek. Training returned to the original home of the Corps, Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute, and the Corps was thriving right up until our 2020 March Break trip to Fort George in Niagara was cancelled, and we were ordered to down tools – all in-person training was stood down.
The Canadian Cadet Organization pivoted, and for summer 2020 created an expansive Virtual Cadet Training Centre, in which some of our staff, and many of our Cadets participated. Training during the year went online, with the Cadets dragging the Officers into the world of online training.
The Cadet leadership team remains strong, led by Captain Calvin Facey supported by Captain Shaun Bridge. The connection to the regiment remains strong, strengthened by the service of two former unit members, Captain Ken Kominek and the author. The clutch of Captains is ably supported by 2Lt Mursal Sameh, a very experienced and successful former cadet, and by 2Lt’s Leo Afonso and Jen Anger, both with significant reserve service. The Corps Cadet leadership rests in the hands of CWO Pratinav Patel and MWO Genevieve Kaba.
2881 QOR Cadets were honoured, on March 30, 2021, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Corps founding in an online celebration, joined by the Regiment’s CO and RSM. We were also joined online by members of the Support Committee, and our Liaison from Branch #258, Brian Budden, and from serving members and former Cadets, WO Jason Bridge and Pte Justin Anger, a former RSM of 2881.
As is typical of the pandemic, our March Break training took place in April and was online, where all Central Region Cadets were included in the provincial Cadet Activity Program. A summer of online activities have been planned to allow Cadets to gain additional knowledge and qualifications. We all long for the day when we can be back outdoors participating in the core activities of Cadets.
The Corps will have its Annual Ceremonial Review online (via Teams) on June 8, 2021 at 19h00. Members of the Regimental family are welcome to join us to watch—please email info@qorcadets.ca to be sent a Teams meeting invite.
Captain Tom Foulds, OStJ, CD
Trust Fund and Fundraising Update
What is the Regimental Trust Fund?
Recently I have been asked some questions about the Regimental Trust Fund. Specifically, who it is responsible to, how it is managed, and what are the funds raised by the Trust spent on?
The Trust Fund is an independent, unincorporated, charitable trust that is registered as a charity with the Canada Revenue Agency. The Trust is organized in accordance with the “Agreement and Declaration of Trust” made on September 1, 1959 and amended on May 3, 2004 and June 9, 2008. The purpose of the Trust as set out in 1959 and reconfirmed in 2004 and 2008 are as follows:
“The Trustees shall from time to time raise and receive by way of legacy, bequest, gift or otherwise transfers or contributions in Trust for the Regimental Fund and administer the same in accordance with this agreement exclusively for the efficiency, welfare and well-being of the Regiment and its members.”
The funds received by the Trust are spent to:
Support the serving Battalion;
Supplying items of regimental attire, accoutrements or equipment not provided by DND;
Supply the Regimental band, bugle band and pioneers and skirmishers with items of attire, accoutrements or equipment; and
Sending “soldier’s comforts” to members of the Regiment who are deployed on duty.
Maintain the Regimental Museum;
Establish and maintain war memorials and monuments of the Regiment;
Maintain and operate a Regimental Headquarters;
Celebrate the Regimental birthday and anniversaries;
Support the publication of Regimental histories, journals and newsletters; and
Support cadet corps affiliated with the Regiment.
The Trust is managed by 11 Trustees who administer the Trust in accordance with the “Agreement and Declaration of Trust” and applicable legislation and regulations of the Canada Revenue Agency. In fulfilling their tasks, the Trustees consult heavily with the Commanding Officer, Honorary Colonel and other Regimental stakeholders including members of the Senate.
Future articles will provide more insight into the operations of the Trust.
Major Anthony (Tony) Schultz, CD (Ret'd)
President
Since the launch of the 1860 Club, our members have donated over $80,000 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 Bernie Aaron (Ret’d)
HLCol Brendan Caldwell (Ret'd)
Lt J. Chris Donald (Ret'd)
Mr. Bryan Gransden
Capt Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD (Ret’d)
Hermant Family Foundation
HCol Larry Stevenson, CD (Ret’d)
LCol John Strathy, CD (Ret’d)
WO Philip ten Kortenaar, CD (Ret’d)
True Patriot Love Foundation
1860 Club Founders
Col William Ball - US Army (Ret’d)
LCol William Barnard, CD (Ret’d)
Bruce Beauchamp Memorial Fund and Mr. Terry Beauchamp
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
2Lt Martin Bunch
LCol Greg Burton, CD (Ret’d)
HLCol Brendan Caldwell (Ret'd)
Capt Robert Chan, CD (Ret’d) and Ms. Annie Li
Ms. Linda Di Felice
Lt J. Chris Donald (Ret'd)
HLCol Lionel Goffart, OStJ, CD
Mr. Bryan Gransden
MCpl Robert Grieve (Ret'd)
Cpl Lee Harrison, CD (Ret’d)
WO David Hodgson, CD
MGen Walter Holmes, MStJ, MSM, CD, MBE (Ret’d)
Col Paul F Hughes CD (Ret’d)
Jackman Foundation
CWO Jeff Johnson, 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
Maj Henry McCabe, MMM, CD (Ret’d)
Ms. Michele McCarthy
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Mr. Carmine Nigro
Capt David Pampe, CD
Lt Marco Petta
Cpl Sharl Robinson
CWO Mark Shannon, MMM, CD
MGen John Sharpe, CMM, CD (Ret’d)
Maj John Stephens, CD (Ret’d)
Mr. Tristan Strathy
WO Philip ten Kortenaar, CD (Ret’d)
Dr. Lynn Tomkins
Capt Usman (Uzi) Valiante (Ret'd)
LCol Tony Welsh, CD (Ret'd)
Please click here to find out how to become a Founder. For more information on supporting the Trust Fund, please click here. For any additional questions, please contact us.
Online Links
The QOR of C Regimental Association
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 Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum — https://qormuseum.org/
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Website — https://www.queensownrifles.com/
Victory March — https://raceroster.com/events/2021/38945/victory-march-la-marche-de-la-victoire
Submissions
The Powder Horn is a quarterly newsletter of the 1860 Club. The 1860 Club connects all elements of The QOR of C Regimental Family, including: the serving Regiment, the Band and Bugles, the Regimental Association and its branches, The QOR of C (8221) Cadets, the Regimental Museum, the Senate, the Trust Fund, and other supporters of the Regiment.
To submit comments or content to The Rifles Report or The Powder Horn, please email Martin Bunch, Communications Director, at editor@1860club.ca. The Rifles Report can accommodate short updates of 150 words (including photos). Longer submissions should be directed to The Powder Horn.
In Pace Paratus