THE POWDER HORN
Monthly Newsletter
November 2023
COMMAND TEAM UPDATE
November brings shorter days, colder nights and the first traces of snow. It also heralds the busiest month in the Regimental calendar.
The unit spent weeks preparing for the culminating activity of the fall training series, Exercise MAROON SWORD 3. What transpired was, without hyperbole, a capstone example of the capacity of the Army Reserve. The objective for the final weekend of the month was a Company-level deliberate attack against an urban objective in Petawawa. Over 180 personnel from 32 Canadian Brigade Group were involved, including approximately 100 Riflemen. Accompanied by members from the 48th Highlanders, Royal Regiment of Canada, 32 Combat Engineer Regiment and 25 Field Ambulance, the QOR executed a highly-complex endeavour.
1 (Para) Platoon conducted a full-equipment airborne insertion into DZ Anzio, while the remainder of 60th Company and Recce Platoon inserted into the area via a pair of CH-147 Chinooks from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. The plummeting temperatures couldn’t dampen spirits leading into the final assault against the surrounding obstacle belt and fortified buildings. The exercise also saw the first tactical deployment of the unit’s Uncrewed Aerial System, colloquially referred to as a ‘drone.’
This year’s Remembrance Parade was one of the largest in recent memory, as the Regiment took to the streets of Toronto in commemoration of our Fallen. The unit renewed the historic partnership with St. Paul’s on Bloor, with many junior members getting their first opportunity to observe the Book Party within the halls of the church, which had been interrupted over the past several years due to pandemic concerns. The Band, Skirmishers and Pioneers represented themselves professionally at several key public events, including the formation’s Remembrance service at City Hall and the 37th veteran’s memorial at Runnymede Healthcare Centre.
As the holiday season approaches, it is crucial to recognize the importance of family and the homecoming of our deployed soldiers. Capt Filatow, WO Currie and Sgt Baruwa safely returned from Operation IMPACT, while Cpl Overholt will be back in Canada from Operation REASSURANCE by the end of the month.
The unit will celebrate together and acknowledge the incredible contributions of our soldiers on 6 December, to close-out the 2023 training year.
In Pace Paratus
Chris Boileau
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer
Justin Thorn
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major
EXERCISE MAROON SWORD 3
Over the weekend of November 24-26, 2023, The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada conducted Exercise MAROON SWORD 3. Over 180 personnel from 32 Brigade were involved, including approximately 100 members of the QOR of C.
Accompanied by members from The 48th Highlanders, The Royal Regiment of Canada, 32 Combat Engineer Regiment and 25 Field Ambulance, 60th Company led a deliberate attack against an urban objective in Petawawa, with 1 Pl conducting a full-equipment airborne insertion into DZ Anzio, while the remainder of 60th Company and Recce Platoon inserted into the area via a pair of CH-147 Chinooks from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron.
111th Annual Maple Leaf Rifle Club Shoot and Luncheon
Since 1912, members and guests of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Maple Leaf Rifle Club meet for an annual competitive shoot and luncheon. This year the 28-member club and invited guests met early Sunday morning October 29th at CFB Borden’s Langemark Range. Under the supervision of RSO Rob Grieve, his team set up Bay #4 for a Lee Enfield MK IV shoot. Weapons were prepped, ammunition set out at the firing points, relays assigned, and the red flag was raised!
Miraculously, the first round down range commenced at 09:30. From the 50 yard point all relays shot a 5-round grouping, and a 10-round application for grouping. The tightest grouping of the 10 rounds over all was declared the winner. Simultaneously, the preparation of our luncheon meal began in the parking lot of 3CRPG. Under the direction of the assigned “High Cock a Lorum” Phil ten Kortenaar a delicious meal of beef stew was prepared and was rather tasty much to the shock of the membership.
As a special treat Rob Grieve brought WO1 Harry Fox’s personal Lee Enfield Mark I, which he used for many years as a member of the MLRC. On a separate relay all RSM’s past and present were given an opportunity to fire this nostalgic weapon! It was great to see this happen.
After the Range was cleaned up and Weapons pulled through the group sat together in the range hut and dined on the prepared meal made by its membership. Of course, top shots were recognized accompanied by the usual banter from the group.
All in the day was a great success and hope is to reconvene next year for “Good Fellowship, Great Comradery and Good Groupings”
WO (Ret'd) Philip ten Kortenaar, CD
Maple Leaf Rifle Club
80th Anniversary of D-Day Trip Update
The D-Day+80 Fundraising Campaign is well underway. In August, we revealed that we received a generous offer to match donations until Remembrance Day. We're pleased to share that the donor has kindly extended the date for donation-matching until December 31st, 2023. We have roughly 25 names left to be sponsored in our Sponsor a Rifleman Program. To learn more about our trip and sponsorship opportunities, please visit the campaign page below:
QOR of C Hockey Team
Each year, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Hockey Team plays in a variety of games against teams from other regiments, ranging from exhibition games to tournaments. There are two major tournaments that the team participates in: The Ranger Cup in Toronto and the Sergeant Rick Foldeak Memorial Hockey Tournament in Brockville. There is a push to play more hockey in the Regiment as we grow in strength, and the QOR Hockey Team is an excellent way to build camaraderie, teamwork, and physical fitness.
The QOR Hockey Team is also seeking sponsors and donors to cover the cost of jerseys, ice time, and equipment. If you would like to support the Hockey Team, please contact us at info@1860club.ca.
QOR DAY AT CASA LOMA
QOR Regular Force Service Survey
The QOR Museum does not hold service records for those that served in the Cold War era, Regular Force Battalions and Depot; but does hold many other records and photographs from that period. We would like to collect as much information about those that served which we'll include in our Collections Management Database.
This database includes all the objects, photographs and archival records in our museum and allows us to "tag" these items to specific people. For example, if we have a group photograph with the names listed below, we tag the record with the names of those people. The People section of our database then allows you to look up a person to see all the items connected to them, and other basic information we might have on them - such as when and where they served. There are currently over 4,700 records in our People section. You can check out this page to see how this works.
NOTE: If we already have a Rifleman profile on our website for you here, it is not necessary to complete this form unless you have additional information to add or correct.
This information will be publicly accessible with few exceptions. The information you provide is optional, that said, we'd very much appreciate if you could provide us with as much info as you are comfortable with.
By completing this survey, you give permission to The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive to record and make available your responses in our Collection Management System including the Public Access module.
If you have any questions regarding this request, you can email me at museum@qormuseum.org
Thank you in advance for helping us with this project!
Click HERE to complete the survey which should only take a few minutes.
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
Thank you letter from Chick McGregor
Brian, the get well card from the Regimental Association arrived today and many thanks from me for that. Please thank the members on my behalf for their kind thoughts at a time in my life when I truly need it. I will not be home for Christmas but I am assured by the medical staff here that I will be able to walk up my front steps sometime in the early new year. Here's hoping!
Thanks again to you and everyone else,
Once in The Queen's Own, always in The Queen's Own
Here’s hoping!
Chick McGregor
Below: Chick McGregor
Association support for the Regiment & Activities
Ex Maroon Sword 3 (24-26 Nov 2023) - the Association supported the BBQ for troops upon their return to Moss Park from CFB Petawawa.
We would also like to take a moment to appreciate and recognize Association members who came out and marched on the QOR Regimental Church Parade on November 5th.
As a part of the Memory Project, I was once again asked to go to a school to observe Remembrance Day (French Immersion Grades 7 & 8 - Edenwood Middle School, PDSB).
Finally, on Sunday October 29th the QOR Maple Leaf Rifle Club had a great day of shooting - 303 Lee Enfield, stew dinner and comradeship at Langemark Range at CFB Borden.
Association Dues
Again, thank you for renewing your membership. 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 and contact us.
And 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 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
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)
December 6, 2023
Rifleman Awards Dinner
December 10, 2023
Officers’ Mess Holiday Luncheon
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