THE POWDER HORN
Monthly Newsletter
Summer 2024
COMMAND TEAM UPDATE
Suddenly, the end of the training year was upon us.
As The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada prepared to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy in June, unit activity continued unabated.
The Sergeants and Warrant Officers Mess hosted not only the Command Team during their annual dining-in, but also Ed Marshall. The 100-year-old veteran of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was in fine form, as he regaled the group with his exploits as a much younger man.
Soldiers were busy throughout the month, completing individual qualification on personal and crew-served weapons during the READY RIFLEMAN series of exercises. Several members of 60th Company successfully qualified on the Helicopter Insertion Master / Operator course with the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre.
On the last weekend of the month of May, the Regiment celebrated their closest supporters during Family Day. Approximately 150 parents, children, relatives and friends descended upon Moss Park Armoury to see parachuting refresher and complex terrain demonstrations, learn from our Museum partners, wear equipment and enjoy a barbeque staffed by the Association. It was an outstanding day, which demonstrated the strength of our team.
Several Riflemen returned from international deployments to Jordan, Kuwait and Lebanon, as part of Operation IMPACT.
During stand-down, past members of Operation UNIFIER presented the Junior Rank’s Mess with a sketch of Corporal Pugliese, drawn by a Canadian war artist, during their time abroad training Ukrainians earlier this year. It serves as a reminder of the continuous service of this Regiment and perpetuation of the incredible legacy left by prior generations.
Though it will be addressed later in this edition of the Powder Horn, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of the Regiment during the 80th Anniversary of D-Day. Watching Riflemen use their initiative to hand out flags, offer patches and accoutrements to French children and accompany veterans to the beaches of Bernières-sur-Mer, filled us with a sense of pride. This generation of soldiers did their forebears a true service and deserve as much respect and admiration in return, for their dedication and professionalism.
It is a privilege to serve with such manner of men and women.
In Pace Paratus
Chris Boileau
Lieutenant-Colonel
Commanding Officer
Justin Thorn
Chief Warrant Officer
Regimental Sergeant Major
Return to Normandy: 80th Anniversary of D-Day
To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, the 1860 Club conducted a year-long fundraising campaign to support the serving unit's privately-funded pilgrimage of 70-plus members to Normandy, France from June 1-8, 2024.
This included events in the villages of Bernières-sur-Mer, Anguerny, and Anisy—which were liberated on June 6th, 1944—as well as commemorative events in Giberville and Le Mesnil-Patry.
The pilgrimage culminated on the morning of June 6th with a ceremony at Canada House (located in Bernières-sur-Mer) and a Mess Dinner beside Juno Beach.
We would like to thank our numerous sponsors who supported our soldiers in the name of one of our 61 fallen Riflemen on D-Day. In particular, we would like to recognize former HLCol Lionel Goffart and Mr. David Cynamon for their exceptionally generous donations.
The support from La Maison des Canadiens and the leadership of the communities were outstanding, and enabled this event to be a fitting tribute to our D-Day Fallen and veterans.
As we turn our focus onto the 80th Anniversary of VE-Day 80, we look forward to working with our Association to ensure another successful fundraising campaign, starting with the 17th Annual QOR of C Golf Tournament at Cardinal Golf Club on September 6th, 2024.
D-Day Garden of Remembrance Plaques
Have a plaque dedicated for the 80th anniversary of D-Day in our Garden of Remembrance!
In remembrance of a veteran, a family member, a regiment—a very fitting tribute in an unique location—and a way to support the association, the maintenance of the House and all of its activities (ceremonies, wreaths, etc). All of our activities are self-funded or funded through donations.
Plaques can be ordered for 100€ (or equivalent in CDN) by bank transfer or through PayPal. All we need is your (short) text and cap badge or crest in .jpeg format—we take care of the plaque once we get your approval on final design! Your plaque will be added to our wall shortly before D-Day +80 or whenever you would like to see this happen.
Interested? Please contact Nicole Hoffer at nicole.hoffer1952@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Nicole Hoffer & Gauthier Hebbelynck
Président de l’Association
Capitaine (H.) de The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
17th Annual QOR of C Golf Tournament
The 17th Annual Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Golf Tournament will be held on September 6th, 2024 at the Cardinal Golf Club (West Wing) 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. This year’s tournament is being held in support of the 80th Anniversary of V-E Day and Aubrey Cosens' VC.
For sponsorship information, please visit this page.
The Battle for Le Mesnil-Patry
From the 1960 Regimental History by Lieutenant Colonel W.T. Barnard
“On 10 June the battalion moved to Neuf Mer and was placed under command of the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. Orders were received on 11 June, at 1100 hrs, that The Queen’s Own would attack and seize the high ground south of Cheux. First, however, it was necessary to capture Le Mesnil-Patry. This was on the front of 7 Canadian Infantry Brigade. The Regina Rifles were to form the firm base for the attack. The attack was timed to go in at 1300 hrs. This, as one company commander put it, was a plan “conceived in sin and born in iniquity”. First, no time was allowed for reconnaissance; second, no artillery preparation was provided despite the fact that it was known that the place was strongly held; and thirdly, the men were expected to go in riding on tanks through flat wheat fields, thus providing perfect targets for the defenders.
The attack on Le Mesnil-Patry was to be made by D Company under Major J. N. Gordon. A Company, under Major H. E. Dalton, on the capture of the village, would pass through and secure the road junction half a mile beyond the town. Then B Company and C Company were to be carried on tanks a distance of some five miles from the Start Line to the high ground south of Cheux – a not unambitious programme."
Learn more about the Battle for Le Mesnil-Patry, which saw the second-highest number of Queen’s Own killed in action in one day, at the QOR Museum website.
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 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)
August 9, 2024
National Peacekeepers' Day Parade (Angus, ON)
August 17, 2024
103rd Warriors Day Parade (Gore Park/CNE)
September 6, 2024
QOR Golf Tournament
For more events, please consult the calendar of events.
Trust Fund and Fundraising Update
Since the launch of the 1860 Club, our members have donated over $500,000 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