THE RIFLES REPORT

Monthly Update
March 2021

Welcome to the First Issue!

The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada are excited to welcome you to our new Regimental initiative, the 1860 Club.  The 1860 Club is named after the year the Regiment was founded, and represents over 160 years of sacrifice and service to Canada during times of conflict and peace.

The 1860 Club is intended to connect all elements of the QOR of C Regimental Family: the serving Regiment; the Band and Bugles; the Regimental Association and its Branches; the QOR of C (2881) Cadets; the Regimental Museum; The Senate; the Trust Fund, and other supporters of the Regiment. 

As members of the 1860 Club, you will receive the Rifles Report, a monthly newsletter; The Powder Horn, a quarterly magazine; and access to our annual journal, The Rifleman.  In this way, 1860 Club members will stay apprised of the latest news, events, and activities within the QOR of C family.

Serving Regiment Update

Lieutenant-Colonel Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer

Despite the challenges of COVID-19, the serving Regiment remains strong and continues to support domestic and expeditionary operations.  Training has adapted to the various constraints that have been created to protect our members, and the Regiment remains ready to serve.

Over 100 Riflemen from the QOR supported Operation LASER (the CAF response to the COVID-19 pandemic) from March to August 2020, which included a request for assistance by the Ontario Provincial Government in support of Long-Term Care (LTC) homes.  Many of our members worked tirelessly to improve conditions and save lives within the LTC homes in the Greater Toronto Area, while under strict quarantine.  Several Riflemen were recognized for their outstanding work. 

Currently we have 6 members directly supporting Operation VECTOR (the Canadian Armed Forces support to COVID-19 vaccine distribution).  Recently, two of our members—MWO Leader and WO Currie—returned from Operation IMPACT in the Middle East, and two more members are returning in the coming weeks.  In addition, four more members arrived in theatre last month. 

Morale remains strong, and many of our member are enjoying our Virtual Challenge March.  During the first two weeks, the top individual marcher Rfn Kaminski covered over 100 kilometres, while the Association team covered over 300 kilometres.

2020 Recipient of the Colonel Paul Hughes, CD and Mrs. Bev Hughes Award for Excellence

Chief Warrant Officer Donovan O’Halloran, CD is the 2020 Recipient of the Colonel Paul Hughes, CD and Mrs. Bev Hughes Award for Excellence.  This award recognizes excellence in improving the life and standing of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.  CWO O’Halloran joined the QOR of C in December 1987, and ended his tenure as RSM of the QOR of C in September 2020.

CWO O'Halloran has now taken up the mantle of RSM of the Royal Canadian Hussars in Montreal.  He is cited as a consummate professional who always leads by example, be it on the parade square, in the field or by performing impressive acts of fitness such as the attempt to summit Mt. Logan to commemorate the Regiment’s 150th Birthday.

76th Anniversary of the Attack on Mooshof

At this time of year, we remind members of the QOR of C Regimental Family to reflect on the actions of Sergeant Aubrey Cosens, VC. On the night of 25-26 February 1945, Sgt Cosens led the four surviving members of his Platoon and the one remaining supporting tank in the successful reduction of enemy strong points—while under heavy mortar and shell fire, and intense machine gun and small arms fire. Sgt Cosens took several farmhouse strong points single-handedly before being killed by a sniper. We will remember him.

Upcoming Events

26 April 2021 — The 161st Regimental Birthday of the QOR of C.  This year, the Regiment’s Birthday will be celebrated virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Stay tuned for further details. To watch last year's virtual parade again, click here. 

The Powder Horn — the quarterly Regimental Newsletter will be relaunched for the Regimental Birthday on April 26th.  In this upcoming issue, look for the report of the meeting of Honorary Colonel Holmes and Lieutenant-Colonel Moody with HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

We regularly receive new contributions to our museum collection. In February, 1860 Club member and retired US Army Lieutenant-Colonel William Ball donated a 1914 Princess Mary Gift Fund box. This is an embossed brass box that originally contained a variety of items such as tobacco and chocolate. Intended as a Christmas present to soldiers and sailors of the British Empire (including Canadians) serving at Christmas in 1914, it was paid for by a public fund backed by Princess Mary. Although this particular box doesn’t include contents, it fills a gap in our WWI collection.

If you have potential items for our Museum and Archive collection, please read this page and complete the online form.

Trust Fund and Fundraising Update

Since the launch of the 1860 Club, our members have donated over $40,000 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
Lt J. Chris Donald
Mr. Bryan Gransden
Capt Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD (Ret’d)
HCol Larry Stevenson, CD
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)
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
2Lt Martin Bunch
HLCol Brendan Caldwell
Ms. Linda Di Felice
Lt J. Chris Donald
HLCol Lionel Goffart, OStJ, CD
MCpl Robert Grieve
Cpl Lee Harrison, CD
WO David Hodgson, CD
MGen Walter Holmes, MStJ, MSM, CD, MBE (Ret’d)
Col Paul F Hughes CD (Ret’d)
CWO Jeff Johnson, CD
LCol Frank Lamie, CD
MWO Darnel Leader, CD
Capt Ben-Jaemin Lee, CD
Mr. James Lutz
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Mr. Carmine Nigro
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

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 
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

Submissions

To submit comments or content to the Rifles Report or The Powder Horn, please contact Martin Bunch, 1860 Club Communications Director at editor@1860club.ca

Correction — The list of 1860 Club donors have been updated to reflect our newest members.