THE POWDER HORN
Quarterly Newsletter
Fall 2022
COMMANDING OFFICER’s UPDATE
The month of August was another month of great accomplishment for the unit. As summer training courses ended, we were reminded of the drive and ambition of our members. We qualified three new Platoon Commanders: 2Lt Bjurstrom, 2Lt Pan and 2Lt Ye. 2Lt Bjurstrom was named top candidate for the course. We also qualified 11 new Riflemen, with Rfn Wrobel being the top candidate. Cpls Heinle, Teper and Wanke qualified as Infantry Section Commanders, with Cpl Wanke as runner-up to the top candidate. In addition, Cpls Hsieh, Rfn Mohamed and Rfn Balint were awarded CO's coins for their actions in providing first-aid and scene management during a vehicle accident this summer in Petawawa.
From August 20th to 27th, many of our members attended Exercise Stalwart Guardian in Petawawa. The unit had the largest attendance within 32 CBG. Members participated in offensive operations at the section and platoon level, including Airmobile operations.
Photo Credit: 32 Canadian Brigade Group
On August 28th, I had the opportunity to attend the 99th Birthday Party for George Beardshaw in London, Ontario. George is one of our last two World War 2 veterans left. He was awarded the Légion d'honneur (Legion of Honour) by Colonel Roger Vandomme, Deputy Defence Attache for France and long-time friend of the Regiment. Special thanks to Master of Ceremonies, CWO (Ret'd) Brian Budden, Toronto Branch Association President and Capt (Ret'd) John Howie, the Association Padre.
Photo Credit: Gary Turner
Operation Rha is planned for October 8th to the 16th and will see 30 members of the Regiment travel to the Netherlands to participate in the headstone dedication for Lt John Kavanagh in Steenderen. Members will also visit the Breskens Pocket, Groesbeek and several of our memorials in the north of the country. Special thanks to HLCol (Ret'd) Lionel Goffart for his support of this privately funded trip, as this is the 4th commemorative visit he has supported.
Photo Credit: Gerrit Bruggink
15th Annual QOR of C Golf Tournament
The 15th Annual Golf Tournament will be held on September 30th, 2022 at Cardinal Golf Course. If you are planning on attending, please ensure you sign up at www.1860club.ca/golf. We are also in need of sponsors; you can sign up to be a sponsor here or contact us at info@1860club.ca.
In Pace Paratus
LCol Scott Moody, CD
Commanding Officer
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada
The Origin and Evolution of Rifle Regiments (2/4)
Editors note: This is the second article by Lt Anthony Simokovic, CD in a series of four short historical pieces associated with military history and figures of importance to the Regiment.
Illustration: Rfn Plunkett in 1809.
1809, on a frigid January day in northeast Spain, a shot rings out from an impossible distance. A French General drops from his horse and a spry Rifleman armed with a Baker casually reloads to dispatch the Aide-de-Camp running to check on his fallen General. Rifleman Plunkett of the 1st Battalion 95th Rifles executed a near-perfect application of the rifle in the era of smooth-bore muskets, setting the example for Riflemen for generations to come.
Continuing our series on the history of Rifle Regiments and Riflemen, we delve into what is arguably the most important period for us – the Peninsula Campaign. During the Peninsula Campaign green-jacketed soldiers and their novel tactics earned the respect and admiration of many in the British Army; foremost was that of the Duke of Wellington. Conversely, Riflemen instilled dread in their opponents, the previously unbeatable French Army. Their nickname for the Rifles was “Les Sauterelles” or “Grasshoppers” because of the Rifles’ green jackets and quick skirmishing movements, that were uncharacteristic of Redcoats. This entry will touch upon two key battles of the Peninsular Campaign; the Siege of Badajoz and the Battle of Nivelle.
Rifle Regiments served in the Iberian Peninsula from the very beginning of the campaign, including acting as rearguard to General Moore’s force during the Battle of Corunna (where he would lose his life). When operations restarted in earnest, the Rifle Regiments of Wellington’s army were dispersed; companies from the 60th Regiment (Rifles) were dispersed to each division, whereas the 95th was concentrated in the Light Division. Regardless of their employment, these Rifle regiments were considered elite and were often seen at the forefront of actions throughout the campaign, from Talavera in 1809 onward.
Illustration: A Rifleman in the Peninsular Campaign
The Siege of Badajoz was considered by many to be one of the most ferocious battles of the Napoleonic Wars, and certainly the bloodiest in the Peninsula. Badajoz was a frontier town with a castle, a fortified town surrounded by a curtain wall and bastions, and several outlying forts. The British required Badajoz to secure the lines of communication to Lisbon, and its capture allowed Wellington to advance into Spain leading to the Battle of Salamanca in July of 1812. The siege commenced in mid-March 1812 and continued until early April. During that time Wellington’s army of 27,000 constructed earthworks, trench lines and mines around the fortress, often while under fire from the French garrison inside.
The Rifles were the perfect antidote to countering the harassing fire from French lines, as they were often able to outmatch the range of French muskets and were trained to maneuver into advantageous positions for perfect shot placement as opposed to tactics of the Red Coated line infantry. Using these principles, one Rifleman from the 95th, George Simmons was able to keep a French battery pinned for almost an entire day. The 95th were also key in repeatedly repelling French raids. Badajoz however was a meat-grinder, and when it came time to storm the fortress, the Riflemen of the various regiments and battalions formed to be part of the assaulting parties, some even manning the “Forlorn Hope” - those that volunteered to be first onto the breach.
By late 1813 Wellington’s forces were pursuing Marshal Soult’s army into France. After the French failure to relieve the Siege of San Sebastian on the 31st of August 1813, they fell back to defensive positions on the French-Spanish Border. To this point in the Peninsular Campaign, the Light Division of Wellington’s Army had proven itself an elite formation, often winning the day for the Allies. The Battle of Nivelle on 10 November 1813 would be no different. The French had fortified a series of hilltops and ridges near the Nivelle River in the Pyrenees, putting them directly in the axis of advance of Wellington’s allied army. The 95th had been selected to begin operations at night, driving French sentries back into their lines and creating freedom of movement for the follow-on forces of the Division. In what was described later by 95th officer Sir Harry Smith, as “the most beautiful attack in the history of war”, the Riflemen in skirmish order worked their way along the ridgelines laying down suppressive fire at great range for the entirety of the battle whilst Light and Line infantry maneuvered against the French forts and redoubts.
These two battles are but vignettes in the long campaign against Napoleon’s forces in the Peninsula that highlight some of the exploits of our Rifle genealogy. The next installment of this series will focus on the Waterloo Campaign, where the 95th, and the Riflemen of the King’s German Legion (a British rifle regiment) use their rifles and tactical acumen to achieve key tactical victories that ultimately aided in the overall victory against Napoleon and his regime.
Bibliography
Haythornthwaite, Philip. (2016) British Light Infantry & Rifle Tactics of the Napoleonic Wars(Elite). Osprey Publishing.
Wellesley, A. and Esdaile, C. (2014). The Duke of Wellington: Military Dispatches. Penguin Books.
Book Recommendation
Not Bad for a Sergeant: The Memoirs of Barney Danson
"Barney Danson began as a twenty-one-year-old sergeant in the Canadian army and rose to the lofty heights of parliamentary secretary to Pierre Trudeau and, eventually, Minister of National Defence. In these positions, he gained insights into previously unknown facts about this remarkable prime minister, and he gives an insider’s view of Canadian politicians and world leaders. Danson’s own story, told in a touching and often humorous tone, is also the story of a generation of Canadians who faced the hardships of the Depression, the reality of war, and the many changes that followed."
The QOR Association
On 20 August 2022, the QOR Association represented the Regiment at the 100th Annual Warriors' Day Parade. The contingent was led by Gerry Senetchko, and marched with QOR band members who were part of the 32 Canadian Brigade Group Band. The event also had Association members as Parade Marshals, including the Chief Parade Marshal Brian Budden. Throughout the Canadian National Exhibition, soldiers from the QOR introduced our military to the public as part of the Armed Forces Display.
Submitted by Robert Chan
Fundraising Appeal for Rifleman Austin Norris
Rfn Austin Norris was recently the victim of a random shooting at Trinity Bellwoods Park. During the attack, Rfn Norris suffered a serious injury to his leg. Thankfully, he is expected to make a full recovery, but his ability to work has been impacted. Please consider making a donation to his fundraiser to support his journey to recovery.
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
November 6
Remembrance Sunday Parade
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