THE RIFLES REPORT
Monthly Update
August 2022
COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE
The months of June and July were busy ones for the unit. As mentioned in our previous report, the 1860 Club held a very successful D-Day dinner at Casa Loma on June 6th, 2022. On June 8th, the Regiment stood down for the training year and marched to the the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 344 for a BBQ supported by the Toronto Association.
On June 11th, we held a PWT 3 range in CFB Borden. The following day we held Exercise Golden Bridle, which was our annual parachute currency exercise. During this exercise we executed two static-line parachute drops onto DZ Hodgson. The first jump was with equipment, while the second was without. It was a great day, during which Sgt Tom Fabry completed his 100th and 101st descents and became a member of the Centurion Club.
In early July, I had the opportunity to meet with Brothers for Life, an Israeli veterans support group that visited our museum at Casa Loma. Later in the month, I travelled to the Netherlands to complete my 6th Nijmegen Vierdaagse. After two years of the event being cancelled due to the pandemic, it was great to get walking again. The first day of the march was suspended as temperatures reached 40°C plus. The following days continued to be hot, with downpours. The final 50km on Day 4 was memorable as always. It is my intent to bring a team to conduct the march the next year.
The Regiment is keeping busy this summer running trade and leadership courses across the province, as well as managing our members on Full-Time Summer Employment (FTSE). We also have many members undergoing basic, trades, and leadership training this summer. Finally, we are preparing to participate in Stalwart Guardian 2022 from the 19th to 28th of August in CFB Petawawa, where our members will participate in offensive ops from the section to company level. We are planning to conduct an airborne assault during the exercise as well.
Passing of former Regimental Sergeant-Major Captain Michael L. Holland, CD
Former QOR of C Regimental Sergeant-Major Mike Holland passed away on July 28th, 2022. A tribute to him by his friend and former RSM Harry McCabe, MMM, CD follows below:
"I’m sad to announce the passing on July 28, 2022 of our great friend and fellow Rifleman Mike Holland.
Mike faced death like had faced so many other issues and problems in the past with fierce determination and courage. At the end he wasn’t worried about himself he was worried about the impact on family and close friends who knew him.
I first met Mike just over 61 years ago when I joined the Queen’s Own as a 16 year old Rifleman. Mike stood out immediately as a force unto himself.
On the one had he could strike the fear of God in you with his scowl and determination that you would perform up to his standards. Then, he would completely shock you with his sense of humour. He had a smile that lit up his whole face and he would drop to his knees in helpless laughter by something or someone that he thought was tremendously funny.
He was one of those rare soldiers who looked splendid on the parade square yet was completely at home in the field and combat training. He was a Pioneer Sgt on the Regiment's 100th Birthday Parade and was one of the original Skirmishers formed by former RSM Sid Byatt. He rose through the ranks of the QOR to become RSM and eventually commissioned once his RSM tour was finished.
But, he didn’t stop there. Mike was also a Toronto police officer in his civilian role and retired as a Detective. When he did so and, after he retired from the Queen’s Own he joined the Toronto Police Pipe Band as Drum Major and help raise the standard of the band. Later he would spend many Summers at the Cadet Camp in CFB Borden as Drum Major teaching those cadets taking the music courses. He was a great example to and certainly helped develope these young Canadians into outstanding citizens.
Finally and on a personal note. He and I were great friends. My children called him Uncle Mike just as his did to Gail & I. He was Godfather to my daughter Kimberly and I am Godfather to his daughter Michelle.
I, as I’m sure many of you also, will miss him terribly. Goodbye Old friend and Rest in Peace."
Celebration of Life for BGen Don Pryer, CD
On June 25th, a celebration of life was held for Brigadier-General (Retired) Don Pryer, CD at the Royal Canadian Military Institute. The event was well attended, and it was a fitting tribute for a man that dedicated a large portion his life to the Regiment. Susan was presented his Lifetime Achievement Award that was long overdue.
Pictured above: future Honorary Colonels BGen Don Pryer and Col Paul Hughes in front of Moss Park Armoury (c. 1974)
New Honorary Colonel Approved
On June 9th, 2022, the Minister of National Defence approved Major-General (Retired) David Fraser, CMM, MSC, MSM, CD as the Honorary Colonel for The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. We look forward to the next 3 years of his guidance and leadership. We will formally acknowledge his appointment in the Fall.
In Pace Paratus
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
ANNUAL QOR OF C GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 15th Annual Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Golf Tournament will be held on September 30th, 2022 at the Cardinal Golf Club in King, Ontario. The tournament will include 18 holes with a cart and dinner. During the dinner, there will be a raffle, team prizes, and recognition of our sponsors. The intent of the tournament is to bring members of the Regimental Family together, as well as to raise funds to support our serving and former members through the 1860 Club and the QOR of C Association.
Date: September 30, 2022
Location: Cardinal Golf Club, 2740 Davis Dr W, King, ON L7B 0G7
Cost: $170 per player
Inclusive of 18 holes, cart, and dinner.
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact info@1860club.ca
For registration, please follow this link.
The evening also provided the opportunity to award Maj (Ret’d) John Stephens, CD, the Director and Curator of our Regimental Museum and Archives, with a Lifetime Achievement award for his outstanding work with The QOR of C museum.
Thanks to the organizing committee, led by LCol (Ret’d) John Fotheringham with WO (Ret'd) Phil ten Kortenaar, Jenna Misener, and 2Lt Steven Ye, as well as our museum volunteers, and Capt Megan Hodge and The QOR of C Band and Bugles for a great evening of camaraderie and great music.
Pictures from the evening are available here.
PEACEKEEPERS’ DAY CEREMONY
On August 9th, National Peacekeepers' Day, retired CWOs Budden and Chan attended a ceremony at Peacekeepers' Park in Angus, ON. Engraved on the memorial are the names of QOR of C officers and soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Korean UN Mission. This includes Major Philip Edwin Gower, who lost his life when his plane went down in the Fraser Valley on his return from Korea. The QOR of C Trust Fund supports the Peacekeepers Park through the 1860 Club, and The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada is acknowledged as a contributor at the park.
Book Recommendation
In honour of our incoming Honorary Colonel, this month's book recommendation is Operation Medusa: The Furious Battle That Saved Afghanistan from the Taliban by MGen David Fraser and Brian Hanington:
In 2006, David Fraser was the Canadian general in charge of the joint military command in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan. The NATO Alliance was about to engage the enemy in the greatest and bloodiest battle of their 70-year history. And they were grossly outnumbered. From the Canadian in charge of the joint military command, this is the real on-the-ground story of one of NATO's bloodiest, most decisive and misunderstood operations: The battle of Panjwayi, the defining moment of "Operation Medusa."
The QOR Association
Update from the Vancouver Island Branch: We held the 162nd QOR of C Birthday on April 23, 2022 at the Prince Edward Legion. As per usual, the Legion catering staff did a fabulous job with the food and their service. Touch of Class did a great job with the Music and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. We had a good turnout, over ninety Members and their guests appeared to have a great time. One of our projects this year was to raise some money to donate to Funding for the Ukraine. With the help of Tom and Irmgard Martin who donated IZZY Dolls, we were able to give St. Christopher’s Ukrainian Church $520, which they in turn gave to the Ukrainian Fund. Henry McKiegan won the 50/50 and gave half of his winnings back to the Association.
Pictured above: outgoing Secretary Janice Mercer and Col Dick Cowling cutting the Birthday Cake.
Sandy Rozon
Treasurer/Membership
QOR of C Association; Vancouver Island 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.
The museum is open again, and our volunteers are preparing for QOR Day in November. 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)
September 30
15th Annual QOR of C Golf Tournament at Cardinal Golf Club
November 5
QOR Day at Casa Loma
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