THE RIFLES REPORT
Monthly Update
December 2022
COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE
In typical QOR fashion, we ended the year demonstrating our professionalism and dedication to maintaining our core infantry skills.
November concluded with Exercise Maroon Sword 3, which was held in CFB Borden. The weekend consisted of a C7 shooting package and a full-equipment parachute descent onto DZ Patterson from a CC-130J.
The following weekend had Exercise Quick Rig, which resulted in a stop-drop due to weather. Fortunately, we have just welcomed 10 new paratroopers to the unit who completed the most recent Basic Parachutist Course.
On December 7th, we held our annual Soldier's Holiday and Awards Dinner. During this dinner we recognized and promoted many of our members, with key awards are noted below:
The CSM Charlie Martin DCM, MM Award for outstanding Senior NCO—WO Murray.
The 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Reg Walker Award for Outstanding Leadership by an NCM—MCpl Divito.
The British Airborne Forces Association RSM Harry Fox MBE Award for Most Promising Rifleman—Cpl Vonkah.
Airborne Rifleman of the Year—Sgt Doria.
Colonel Elliot Dalton Trophy—Capt Bartolo
The Silver Bugle Award for Top Musician—Cpl Laquerre
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Public Service Award—Cpl Ahmed.
In addition, Sgts Fabry and Brown were presented with their Certificate of Airborne Achievement for 100 and 75 jumps, respectively.
As January approaches, I would like to remind you of two important events. First, a reception celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our Parachute Tasking will be held at Moss Park Armoury on January 21st, 2023; all past and present jumpers and supporters are invited to attend. It is important that you RSVP so that we can ensure we have enough coins, shirts, and food.
On January 22nd, 2023 we will be conducting a Change of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel from HLCol Vicky Sunohara to HLCol Manjit Minhas. The event will be held at Casa Loma; please send your RSVP to info@1860club.ca.
Finally, registration for the 2023 Nijmegen Marches starts on January 23rd, 2023. We are trying to determine whether we have the eleven marchers required to make up a team, or if we will be marching as individuals. More information can be found below.
In Pace Paratus
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
OPERATION TOY DROP
On 12 – 16 Dec 22 a detachment of QOR Jumpers travelled to Fort Benning to participate in Operation Toy Drop. This charity toy drive is operated by 1st Bn 507th PIR (1/507), which is responsible for the US Army’s Airborne School. The 400-person drop was to include Jumpmasters and jumpers from Canada and the UK, and a JM from Chile. Though weather did not permit the actual drop, jumpers did work up on T-11 parachutes and ran through the US pre-jump refresher. They were manifested on lift 204 (which was the UK JM drop).
Appointment of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel
The Department of National Defense has approved Ms. Manjit Minhas as the Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, effective immediately. Hon LCol Minhas is the co-founder and co-owner of the Minhas Breweries. She is a champion of corporate social responsibility, and shares her entrepreneurial knowledge and expertise as a venture capitalist on Dragons’ Den. The official appointment ceremony for HLCol Minhas is due to take place on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at Casa Loma.
The Change of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel from HLCol Vicky Sunohara to HLCol Manjit Minhas will take place at 14:00 on Sunday, January 22nd, 2023 at Casa Loma. All members of the Regimental Family are invited. Please RSVP to info@1860club.ca for the latest updates.
1860 CLUB UPDATE
To date, the 1860 Club has over 500 members of which over 70 are Founders. Due to the popularity of the Founder program, we will be opening it up for the months of January and February 2023.
As 2022 closes, we would like to encourage all donors to sign-up for a recurring monthly or annual donation to the Regimental Trust. This will help move you towards the next level of donor status. Donations will always generate a charitable donation tax receipt.
Donations in 2022 helped the Regimental Trust establish and maintain monuments to our Fallen, support the Regimental Museum, fund the Regimental Family Holiday Party, and send 30 members of the Regiment to the Netherlands to commemorate Lt Kavanagh.
On top of our annual needs in 2023, we will be launching our D+80 financial campaign with the goal of sending over 70 members of the unit to Normandy in 2024 for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. In addition, we need to replace the uniforms for the Pioneers, Skirmishers and the Band.
To become a Founder, or sign up for a single, monthly, or annual donation, please visit the 1860 Club.
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
The Phantom Major: The Story of David Stirling and the SAS Regiment
by Virginia Cowles
First published in 1958, The Phantom Major recounts the story of the Special Air Service in North Africa in 1941 and 1942 when Rommel’s Afrika Corps seemed unstoppable. Virginia Cowles’ account is based on eyewitness testimony of Col David Stirling and other SAS members who took part in astonishing, almost unbelievable, behind-the-lines raids on airfields, supply depots, trains and more.
Who Dares Wins.
Para Reunion
The 40th Anniversary of the Parachute Tasking will be celebrated on January 21st, 2023 in the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. Ticket includes light food, one beverage, T-shirt, and a commemorative coin and sticker.
Date: January 21st, 2023 at 13:00
Location: Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess (130 Queen St E, Toronto)
Dress: Smart Casual (Jump Smocks encouraged)
Cost: $50 per Guest
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
On behalf of the executive of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch), I want to wish all members of the Regimental Family and their families a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
The QOR Holiday Awards Dinner on December 7th was a very enjoyable evening, with eight members of the Association attending the event.
During the Dinner, the Association made the following presentations:
QORA Rifleman Of The Year
Robert Chan
Colonel Paul F. Hughes, CD & Bev Hughes Award
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Before Christmas, I will be visiting two of our members (Sgt Andy MacNaughton and Major David Vine) at Sunnybrook to deliver our annual Christmas Baskets.
Look forward to a great year in 2023!
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.
Volunteer nights at the QOR museum have been stood down until January 12th, 2023. 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)
January 21
40th Anniversary of the QOR Para Tasking
Sergeants’ Mess, Moss Park Armoury
January 22
Appointment of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel
Casa Loma
February 4
Sergeants' Mess Wine & Cheese
Moss Park Armoury
February 11
Toronto Garrison Officers' Ball
Beanfield Centre
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
WO Jason Bridge, CD
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
2Lt 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
MWO Adam de Bartok, MMM, CD
Ms. Linda Di Felice
Lt J. Chris Donald
WO (Ret’d) Bob Dunk, CD
Lt 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
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