THE RIFLES REPORT
Monthly Update
March 2022
COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE
In the past month, the Regiment proposed its Operation Plan for the next fiscal year (2022/23). The RSM and I attended the two-day event in the middle of February, and are happy to say that we are well set-up for the upcoming training year. We look forward to continuing to work with our Regular Force partner, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment.
Nine of our members are currently on JRTC in Fort Polk, Louisiana with 3 RCR. This is the high readiness validation for 3 RCR in which they participate in a variety of operations including Airmobile and Airborne. February 25-27 saw about 50 members participate in Exercise Maroon Frost 2 at the Burwash Range and Training Area near Sudbury. This included the successful completion of the QOR’s first Cold Weather Operator course (which has replaced Basic Winter Warfare as the first in the series of cold weather courses). The Ex included training in improvised shelters, snares and preparation of prey, fires and heaters, a cold-water survival dip in the lake, and a ruck march out of the training area with rabbits for dinner. Thanks to Lt Simokovic, WO Humphrey and the course staff for making this happen.
The Duchess of Cornwall sent a touching note to Beverly Hughes after the passing of Honorary Colonel Paul Hughes in January. This was in addition to a flower arrangement that she sent for the funeral. This reflects the long and important relationship the Hughes family has had with the Duchess of Cornwall.
A tribute page to Colonel Hughes can be found at https://www.1860club.ca/hughesmemorial
In Pace Paratus
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
77th Anniversary of Op Veritable and Death of Sgt Cosens, VC
February 2022 marks the 77th Anniversary of Operation Veritable. On the 25th and 26th, the QOR of C launched an attack on Mooshof, near Uedem, Germany. During this battle, Sergeant Aubrey Cosens, VC led the few remaining members of his decimated platoon, as well as one supporting tank, against well-defended enemy positions. Under heavy artillery, machine gun, and small arms fire, Sgt Cosens took several farmhouse strong points single-handedly. He was killed by a sniper immediately after his incredibly courageous actions. He was buried in Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Links to video productions about Sgt Cosens’ can be found here and here.
We will remember him.
32nd Annual Airborne Luncheon (April 22nd, 2022)
The 32nd Annual Airborne Luncheon will take place on April 22nd, 2022 at the Royal Canadian Military Institute at 11:30 for 12:30. The topic of discussion will be Cyprus 1974. Please send your RSVP to susan.cook@rcmi.org by April 2nd.
D-Day Dinner at Casa Loma (June 6th, 2022)
The Regiment has booked Casa Loma for a special reception and dinner on June 6th, 2022. This exclusive event will serve several purposes: commemorating the 78th anniversary of the Regiment's landing in Normandy, recognizing our incoming Honorary Colonels, and bringing together members of the Regimental family. Invitations will be sent out this month.
To purchase a sponsor table, please contact us at info@1860club.ca
Nijmegen 2022
The 1860 Club is organizing teams to participate in the upcoming International Four Days Marches Nijmegen from 19-22 July 2022. A team consists of a minimum 11 pers (which must finish together). We will field two teams, one each in the 40Km and 50km categories.
Accommodations have been secured and travel arrangements are to be made individually, with more information to follow. Work-up training is required for all participants with a distance test to be completed prior to departure. There will also be a callout for a support team (drivers, cooks, etc.).
If you are interested in participating in either the 40 or 50 km category or the support team, please contact us at info@1860club.ca.
More information about the marches can be found here: https://www.4daagse.nl/en
Book Recommendation
As part of the The Rifles Report, the Commanding Officer will be recommending a book every month, that may be of interest to members of the Regimental family. In preparation of the 78th anniversary of D-Day, this month's recommended reading is:
Battle Diary: From D-Day and Normandy to the Zuider Zee and VE
by Charlie Martin
The QOR Association
On behalf of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Association (Toronto Branch) Executive, we extend thanks to all members of the Regimental family for keeping connected to your Association. Let’s hope this pandemic environment improves and we can get-together soon—and make this a better year.
Click here to view an interview with Rfn Butler for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
Members were saddened to hear of the passing of QOR WWII D-Day Veteran Rifleman Edward Robert Butler, who was the oldest Veteran of the QOR. He would have been 99 on May 17th. Rest in Peace Edward, and condolences to the Butler Family. The Association will make a donation to The QOR Trust Fund in memory of Rfn Edward Butler.
Our Keep Connected group has increased over the last month or so; we presently have 66 members. I have set up the Zoom Get-together for the Association, and our next meeting will be on March 12th at 14:00. This gives us the opportunity to interact with each other.
Eight of us got together at RCL 258 on February 26th, and had a toast to Sgt Aubrey Cosens, VC. His VC-winning action took place 77 years ago in Mooshof, Germany. I also had the honour of presenting my brother Steve with his Canadian Decoration.
Again, thanks to all for renewing your membership for 2022. It is our goal to make sure our Association remains one of the most active military Associations in Canada. Any questions or concerns can be directed to our Membership Chairperson, Ann Ward, at qora.membership@gmail.com.
Association members: I encourage you to join the 1860 Club. It’s free and comes with access to the monthly newsletter and much more.
Health & Welfare Report—QORA (Toronto Branch)
Members at Sunnybrook Health & Sciences Centre
Major (Ret'd) David Vine - "L" Wing 2nd Floor - Room L2 - 40 LSSE
Sergeant (Ret'd) Andy MacNaughton - "L" Wing - 3rd Floor LTSE L341
In Hospital
WWII D-Day Veteran - Alex Adair (98 years old) - Cobourg, Ontario.
In Veteran’s Wing at Parkwood – London, Ontario
WWII Veteran - George Beardshaw (98 years old) - London, Ontario.
At Home
Ron Craig - Recovering at Home
Brian Budden
President
Health & Welfare Chairman
QORA (Toronto Branch)
In Pace Paratus
Rifleman Strong!
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.
Please visit the QOR Kit Shop here.
Present this coupon for a discount at the Arc'teryx Toronto Premium Outlet, located at Toronto Premium Outlets (Unit #1207, 13850 Steeles Ave W, Halton Hills).
The museum is open, and regular volunteer nights have resumed. Please visit our website at qormuseum.org for more information, as well as our YouTube page!
As you may have heard, curator John Stephens has taken leave from the museum to focus on his battle with cancer, with CWO (Ret'd) Shaun Kelly appointed as Acting Curator. We encourage you to support him and follow his journey at https://myjourneywithcancer.ca
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.
Trust Fund and Fundraising Update
Please note that the Trust Fund has recently changed its mailing address:
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund
3-2375 Brimley Road, Suite 837
Toronto, ON M1S 3L6
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
Hon Col Bryan Brulotte, KJ, CD
Cpl Brian Buchan
2Lt Martin Bunch
LCol (Ret’d) Greg Burton, CD
HLCol (Ret'd) Brendan Caldwell
Maj (Ret’d) Allan Champion, CD
Mr. Leo Chan
Capt (Ret’d) Robert Chan, CD and Ms. Annie Li
Mr. Michael Chisholm
Lt Ricardo Chiu, CD
Ms. Linda Di Felice
Lt J. Chris Donald
WO (Ret’d) Bob Dunk, CD
Lt Brandon Filatow
LCol (Ret’d) John Fotheringham, CD
2Lt Juron Grant-Kinnear
Mr. Bryan Gransden
MCpl Robert Grieve
Cpl Lee Harrison, CD
Capt (Ret'd) Adam Hermant, OStJ, CD
Hermant Family Foundation
WO David Hodgson, CD
MGen (Ret’d) Walter Holmes, MStJ, MSM, CD, MBE
Ms. Lana Holmes
Col (Ret’d) Paul F Hughes CD
Jackman Foundation
CWO Jeff Johnson, CD
CWO (Ret’d) Shaun Kelly, CD
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
LNG Group CIBC Wood Gundy
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
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.
Watch and Shoot (Upcoming Events)
March 26th, 2022
Operation Varsity Event CAFA / BAFA at Moss Park Armoury
April 22nd, 2022
CAFA Airborne Luncheon at RCMI
June 6th, 2022
D-Day and 1860 Club Dinner at Casa Loma
June 12th, 2022
Family Day and BBQ at CFB Borden
TBC
Golf Tournament
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