Monthly Archives: September 2025

WWII

Composition of QOR on D-Day

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The following was researched and written by: Capt. (N) (Ret’d) Michael Braham for the http://www.6thjuin1944.com (no longer active) in the article Operation Overlord/Neptune Force ‘J’ – Juno Beach

This will break down which Queen’s Own Rifles Rifleman landed at what time. You can see how much crossloading of equipment and men there was with other Regiments and support formations:

HMS Monowai Assaulting companies – J30, Ex Armed Merchant Cruiser Razmak. A large and fast cargo liner built in 1925. She was 10,852 tons, 519 feet long and could make 20 knots. She carried ten LCA from 554 Flotilla, nine LCA from 556 Flotilla and a LCA(OC).(1)

Serials 1428 to 1432 are 5 LCA’s from LSI(L) J30 HMS Monowai:

  • 129 men from The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada plus 20 stores spaces
  • 3 men from 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA – Forward Observation Officer
  • 6 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE plus 3 stores spaces – Demolition Team
    Serials 1433 to 1437 are 5 LCA’s from LSI(L) J30 HMS Monowai:
  • 129 men from The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada plus 20 stores spaces
  • 3 men from 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA – Forward Observation Officer
  • 6 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE plus 3 stores spaces = Demolition Team(1)

Terrain
The coastline on which Nan White and Nan Red were situated was low-lying. From Courseulles to Bernieres-sur-Mer, there was a sandy beach with short groynes to prevent lateral movement of sand by the current. From Bernieres-sur-Mer to St Aubin-sur-Mer the coast continued to be low lying and sandy, but here there were many summer houses and villas. From St Aubin-sur-Mer eastwards, there were low cliffs for a mile and a half, with a sea wall along most of it. Offshore, all the way along the coast eastwards of Bernieres-sur-Mer, there were rocky outcrops, parts of which were exposed at low tide. Inland, the country was gently rolling countryside and plains with large fields.(1)

QOR
The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada received the order to make the final run in to the beach at 0805 hours, although there was no sign of the LCTs carrying DD tanks and specialist armour. They landed on Nan White at 0815 hours with ‘A’ Company to the west of Bernieres and ‘B’ in front of the Bernieres strongpoint. ‘A’ Company got off the beach quickly and reached the railway line before being pinned down by mortar fire. They eventually moved inland.

‘B’ Company landed in front of the strongpoint, which had 8 machine guns in concrete emplacements, two 50mm guns on the sea wall and two 80mm mortar posts inland. The company suffered heavy casualties, including three officers, a CSM and two sergeants. The company scaled the sea wall and outflanked the position.

‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies together with Battalion Headquarters, came ashore at 0830 hours. The companies passed through the village and, together with ‘A’ Company, prepared to move forward to the next task. ‘B’ Company remained on the beach to reorganize.(1),

Nan White and Nan Red H+20 minutes
Queens Own Rifles of Canada – Lt-Col J.G. Spragge Nan White ‘A’ Company (Major H. E. Dalton) ‘B’ Company (Major C. O. Dalton) ‘C’ Company (Major Nickson) ‘D’ Company (Major Gordon)(1)

Serials 1451 to 1456 are 6 LCA’s from J32 HMS Duke of Wellington:

  • 134 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada plus 23 stores spaces – Includes alternative Battalion Headquarters
  • 1 man from Headquarters 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade – Chaplain for Queens Own Rifles of Canada – H/Capt JC Clough, C.C.S.
  • 3 men and a handcart from ‘K’, Section (8 CIB), 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Signals plus 3 stores spaces
    • 7 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE
  • 7 men from 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA
  • 9 men from 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance, RCAMC
  • 4 men from La Regiment de la Chaudiere – Unit Landing Officer party
  • 1 man from North Nova Scotia Regiment (9 CIB)
  • 11 men from 184 Field Company, RE
  • 2 men from 19 Beach Signals Section(1)

Serials 1457 to 1462 are 6 LCA’s from J33 SS Isle of Guernsey:

  • 137 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada plus 18 stores spaces
  • 2 men from 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse) – Liaison Officer
  • 7 men from 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA
  • 6 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE plus 3 stores spaces
  • 10 men from 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance, RCAMC
  • 7 men from 184 Field Company, RE
  • 2 men from 19 Beach Signals Section
  • 2 men from 244 Provost Company
  • 7 men from 5 Royal Berkshire Regiment – Beach Group
  • 3 men from RN Beach Signals Section
  • 2 men from RN Beach Commando – Assistant Beach Master party(1)

Serial 1463 was an LCH carrying Headquarters Queens Own Rifles of Canada. Personnel are taken ashore by LCA Serial 1482 from J36 HMCS Prince David:

  • 8 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada – Battalion Command Group
  • 3 men from Contact Detachment • 4 men from 14th Field Regiment, RCA
  • 4 men from Detachment ‘A’ Troop, 3 Bombardment Unit J
  • 1 man from ‘K’ Section (8 CIB), 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Signals
  • 7 men and 3 handcarts from 19 Beach Signals
  • 12 men from RN Beach Commando
  • 10 men from RN Beach Signals.(1)

SS St. Helier Supporting companies – J35, A Channel Island ferry. She was 1,952 tons, 292 foot long and could manage 18 knots. She carried six LCA from 515 Flotilla. She had accommodation for 180 troops and was armed with six 20mm.

Serials 1470 to 1475 are 6 LCAs from J35 SS St. Helier:

  • 135 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada – Includes Unit Landing Officer plus 21 stores spaces
  • 1 man from 3rd Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (The Governor Generals Horse Guards)
  • 7 men from 19th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA
  • 13 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE plus 3 stores spaces
  • 10 men from 22nd Canadian Field Ambulance, RCAMC
  • 2 men from 19 Beach Signals Section
  • 14 men from 5 Royal Berkshire Regiment – Beach Group(1)

Serial 1463 was LCH 239:

  • 8 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada – Battalion Command Group
  • 3 men from Contact Detachment
  • 4 men from 19th Field Regiment, RCA
  • 4 men from Detachment ‘A’ Troop, 3 Bombardment Unit J.
  • 1 man from ‘K’ Section (8 CIB), 3rd Canadian Division Signals
  • 7 men and 3 handcarts from 19 Beach Signals.
  • 12 men from RN Beach Commando
  • 11 men from RN Beach Signals(1)

The first troops landed on Nan White at 0850 hours. The lack of exits and the enemy resistance at Bernieres meant that the battalion had to wait on the beach for an hour, under mortar and shell fire. They moved to an assembly area inland and waited a further two hours before setting off for its objectives around Beny sur Mer. They were supported by ‘A’ Squadron 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse)(1)

Nan White and Nan Red H + 60 Minutes
Nan White
A flight of LCT4 beach with ‘A’ Squadron, 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse) plus priority vehicles for 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade:(1)

Serial 1511 is an LCT4 541 carrying: SEE APPENDIX D ‘A’ Squadron, 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse)

  • 1 x Sherman Vc Firefly with 4 crew (Sgt Strawn, MM)
  • 4 x Sherman III with 20 crew towing Porpoises – For Regimental and Squadron Commands (LCol Morton, Maj Blanchard, Capt Fraser, Capt Goodman)
  • 1 x Jeep with Padre FGH (Capt Harrison) La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 2 x Carrier Mortar
  • 1 x Carrier Towing and 6 pdr Anti Tank gun
  • 3 x Carrier Universal with 9 crew
  • 22 men Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
  • 1 x Carrier towing 6 pdr Anti Tank gun
  • 3 x Carrier Universal • 14 men
    Plus
  • 2 x 15 cwt FFW with 2 crew from 375/114 LAA Regiment – Battery Command Reconnaissance
  • 1 X Jeep with Tank Unit Landing Officer, 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Capt Baldwin)
  • 5 men from 375/114 LAA Regiment – Battery Command Reconnaissance
  • 2 men from ‘C’ Section 4 Canadian Provost Company
  • 2 men with a balloon from 52 Beach Balloon Unit, RAF(1)

Serial 1512 is LCT4 932 carrying: 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse)

  • 3 x Sherman III with 15 crew towing Porpoises
  • 3 x Stuart Light Tank with 12 crew La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 2 x Carrier Mortar
  • 1 x Carrier towing 6 pdr Anti Tank gun
  • 3 x Carrier • 22 men Plus
  • 1 x Armoured Bulldozer Class II towing a Freuhauf trailer with 2 men vehicle party from 3rd Canadian Field Park Company, RCE
  • 1 x Carrier Mortar with 4 crew from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
    Page 84
  • 1 x Jeep with 2 crew from 321/93 LAA Regiment, RA. ‘E’ Troop reconnaissance
  • 4 men from 321/93 LAA Regiment, RA. ‘E’ Troop reconnaissance
  • 1 x Jeep with 3 crew from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE
  • 4 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE
  • 2 men from ‘C’ Section, 4 Canadian Provost Company
  • 2 men with a balloon from 52 Beach Balloon Unit, RAF(1)

Serial 1513 is LCT4 934 carrying: 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse)

  • 1 x Valentine Bridgelayer • 2 x Sherman Vc Firefly
  • 2 x Jeep • 2 x Sherman III towing Porpoises
  • 44 men Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 2 x Carrier Towing 6 pdr Anti Tank gun
  • 3 x Carrier Mortar
  • 3 x Carrier Universal
  • 21 men Plus
  • 1 x Jeep with 2 crew from 375/114 LAA Regiment, RA
  • 4 men from 375/114 LAA Regiment, RA
  • 1 x Carrier MMG with 4 crew from ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa (MG)
  • 7 men from 16th Canadian Field Company, RCE
  • 2 men with a balloon from 52 Beach Balloon Unit, RAF(1)

Nan White and Nan Red H + 75 Minutes
The Field Artillery lands
Nan White
A Flotilla of eight LCT4 arrive carrying 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA and priority vehicles for 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade.(1)

Serial 1522 is LCT4 637 carrying priority vehicles for 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade:

  • 3 x M14 Halftrack with 3 crew from 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA
  • 1 x Sherman III with 5 crew from 10th Canadian Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse)
  • 1 x Carrier MMG with 5 crew from ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ontario (MG)
  • 4 men from ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ontario (MG)
  • 1 x 15 cwt from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 2 x Carrier Towing with 6 pdr Anti Tank guns from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 12 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 2 x Carrier Towing with 6 pdr Anti Tank guns from La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 1 x Jeep with 2 crew 155 Anti Aircraft Operations Room, RA
  • 2 men from 155 Anti Aircraft Operations Room, RA • 1 x M14 Halftrack with 2 crew from ‘K’ (8 CIB) Signal Section, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division Signals
  • 1 x BARV with 6 crew 23 Beach Recovery Section, REME
  • 1 x 3 ton GS with 2 crew from 184 Field Company, RE
  • 18 men with 3 handcarts from 184 Field Company, RE
  • 6 men 375/114 LAA Regiment, RA • 2 men and a balloon from 52 Balloon Unit, RAF(1)

Serial 1524 is LCT4 885 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA.

  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose (“F” Troop, 81st Bty)
  • 1 x Sherman OP
  • 2 x Carrier OP
  • 1 x M14 Halftrack
  • 52 men
    Plus
  • 1 x Carrier Mortar with 4 crew from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 3 x Carrier with 9 crew from La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 1 x White Scout Car with 6 crew from 72 Field Company, RE – Reconnaissance party.
  • 3 men from Canadian Press Relations Service(1)

Serial 1525 is LCT4 530 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA.

  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose (“C” Troop, 66th Bty)
  • 2 x Sherman OP (“C” Troop, GPO, 66th Bty & Troop Commander, 66th Bty)
  • 1 x Carrier OP
  • 1 x M14 Halftrack
  • 48 men Plus
  • 1 x Carrier Mortar with 4 crew from La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 3 x Carrier with 9 crew Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 3 x men from Canadian Press Relations Service
  • 1 x Amphibious Jeep with 2 crew from RN Commando(1)

Serial 1526 is LCT4 524 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA.

  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose
  • 2 x Sherman OP
  • 1 x Carrier OP
  • 1 x M14 Halftrack
    • 49 men Plus
  • 1 x Carrier Towing and 6 pdr Anti Tank gun from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 3 x Carrier from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 14 men from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
    14th Cdn Field Regiment, RCA on board LCT 4 Serial 1524
  • 1 x Carrier Loyd with 3 crew from 5 Royal Berkshire Regiment. Beach Group. Carries 1 man from 244 Provost Company and 1 man from 21 Army Group Movement Control Pool (Military Landing Officer) – Reconnaissance party for Commander 8 Beach Group and Military Landing Officer. Note: this vehicle may have been replaced by a Weasel(1)

Serial 1527 is LCT4 516 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA.

Serial 1528 is LCT4 525 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA

  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose
  • 2 x Sherman OP
  • 1 x Carrier OP
    • 1 x M14 Halftrack
  • 49 men Plus
  • 3 x Carrier with 9 crew from La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 1 x Carrier with 3 crew from Queens Own Rifles of Canada
  • 1 x Carrier MMG with 5 crew from ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ontario (MG)
  • 1 x Amphibious Jeep with 4 crew from 5 Royal Berkshire Regiment and 1 man from
  • 244 Provost Company. Reconnaissance party for Commander 8 Beach Group(1)
  • 1 x M14 Halftrack
  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose
  • 2 x Sherman OP
  • 1 x Jeep
  • 2 x Carrier OP
    • 55 men Plus
  • 3 x Carrier with 9 crew from Queens Own Rifles of Canada.
  • 1 x Carrier MMG with 5 crew from ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ontario (MG)(1)

Serial 1529 is LCT4 716 carrying: 14th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA

  • 1 x M14 Halftrack
  • 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of ammunition stowed loose
  • 2 x Sherman OP
  • 1 x Jeep
  • 2 x Carrier OP
  • 55 men Plus
  • 3 x Carrier with 9 crew from La Regiment de la Chaudiere
  • 1 x Carrier with 3 crew from Queens Own Rifles of Canada(1)

We hope that this information was valuable to your research and general knowledge.

(1) – Capt. (N) (Ret’d) Michael Braham for the http://www.6thjuin1944.com in the article Operation Overlord/Neptune Force ‘J’ – Juno Beach

weapons

Transition from P53 Enfield Rifled Muskets to Snider Enfield Rifles.

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Just after the Fenian Raids, the Dominion of Canada required an upgrade to their issued firearms. With recent developments in firearm research, a breech-loaded firearm was standardized within the British military. The Dominion of Canada would follow suit with the conversion of its arsenal of Pattern 1853 Enfield rifle muskets to breech-loading Snider Enfields.

P53 Enfield Musket – QOR Museum Collection

This occurred with the machining of the rear section of the barrel and adding a breach to it. This breach would lock back but also swing open like a door. With a rearward pull, the cartridge would be pulled out of the chamber and into the breach, allowing the rifleman to tip the rifle over and the cartridge to fall out onto the ground.

Snider Enfield – QOR Museum Collection
Snider Enfield – QOR Museum Collection
Replica .577 Snider Cartridge

With the conversion, this would be the first widely issued self-contained cartridge to be issued to the Imperial and Canadian Militia. Instead of having the charge (black powder) with the projectile and then a percussion cap (the ignition), the loading time for a Snider was increasingly shorter. Using the self-contained cartridge and only having to open the breach to insert the round, then closing the breach.

Transition Period

On February 26th, 1867, the Regiment was ordered to start exchanging their P53 Enfield muskets for Snider Enfields. For this transition period, the Regiment would be issued a transition period Firearm.

Assistant Adjutant General’s Office
Toronto 26 feb 1867(1)

Militia District orders(1)

No. 1 As the issue of the Spencer rifles is only a temporary measure pending receipt of breech loaders, the imperial government would not sanction the marking of the arms.
No. 2 Unless when on service, it will not be necessary to carry more than 21 rounds of ammunition per man.
No. 3 No new description of pouches will be purchased, the issue of the Spencer rifles being only temporary.
No. 4 Application has been made to the imperial government to ascertain whether there are scabbards and slings in store; if there are not, steps will be taken to procure them.
No. 5 There is no ammunition for the use of the Spencer rifle, 21 rounds per man of the service ammunition may be needed for active service.

Headquarters
Toronto 27 Feb 1867(1)

Regimental Orders


2 The Spencer repeating rifles will be issued Friday next, 60 to each company, and captains will be strictly held responsible that all rifles be lodged in the armoures after drill and that no man be allowed under any circumstance taking them home under further orders.

Rifleman holding a Spencer Rifle 1867 – QOR Museum Collection

Headquarters

Toronto 6 March 1867

Regimental Orders.(1)

No. 1 In addition to the Regiment’s No. on the sling of each rifle, the number to be found on the small of the rifle behind the hammer, is also to be placed on the roll in each armoury.
No. 2 The bayonets, screwdrivers and washers belonging to the Spencer Rifles will not be served out with the Rifles until further orders. Captains of Companies will see that they are put away carefully until required.
No. 3 Until the parade is formed, each company will place a sentry over its armoury to see that none but members of the company take out rifles. The doors will then be locked, and no one admitted until the parade is dismissed.

By Order
Otter
Capt & Adj

Spencer Repeater – QOR Museum Collection

Headquarters

Ottawa, June 14, 1867

General Orders(1)

No. 1 Arrangements have been made for the exchange of the rifles now in possession of the volunteers for Snider-Enfield breech-loading rifles.

No. 2 The exchange will be made with the least possible delay, and to effect which, depots of their rifles and of ammunition for the same will be found at Quebec, Montreal, Prescott, Kingston, Toronto and London from whence district staff officers may draw to supply the corps in their several districts.

No. 3 Upon receipt of these rifles by the several corps, the arms and ammunition at present in their possession are to be returned as follows.
The muzzle loading rifles and ammunition for the present, the provincial storekeeper at Quebec and the Peabody, Spencer, Westley Richards breech loaders with ammunition for the same to the provincial storekeeper at the district headquarters of the several districts to which corps in presentation of the last named arms belong.

No. 4 The arms to be returned are to be forwarded to their respective destinations by the most direct public convenience in the same boxes that contained the Snider Enfield breech loaders as received.

No. 5 The Commanding officers of each corps will be held responsible that the arms returned are clean, carefully packed, and properly addressed to their several destinations.

Headquarter
Toronto 23 Aug 1867
Regt Orders(1)

The Snider Enfield Rifles having arrived, Officers Commanding Coys will see that the following articles are now in their respective org.

60 Spencer rifles
60 Spencer bayonets
60 spender cleaners
60 Spencer turnscrews
60 Spencer washrods.

are lodged in the different armouries by Saturday, the 24th, just at 8pm, in order that they may be at once packed up for exchange.

The bayonet scabbards must be returned to the quarter masters stores at the same time.

Slings to be retained in the armouries

by order

Otter Capt & Adj

3 Band Snider Enfield – QOR Museum Collection

Having done this transition in under 7 months is quite the accomplishment for a newly formed force. This upgrade would bring Canada to the forefront of firearm evolution and would aid the Canadian militia in the following Fenian Raids.

The 3 Band Snider Enfield was marked on the top of the brass butt plate “QOR” with the rack number which corresponds with a number on a rifle rack at the armouries of the Regiment.

3 Band Snider Enfield – QOR Museum Collection

Within Rifle traditions, usually a shorter rifle was to be issued with the Baker rifle during the Napoleonic era, the Brunswick rifles being issued a sword bayonet (longer than the Flinklock Muskets of the Line Regiments). The Regiment, from its formation, was issued the 3-banded rifles (the number of barrel bands on the rifle) with a minor issue of short and long length Spencers during the Fenian raids of 1866. The Regiment’s 3-band Sniders would be replaced by a 2 Band Snider with the sword bayonet on 22nd February 1877.

22 February 1877 – An issue of 550 new Scout Snider Rifles (5 groves and steel barrels) made to the Regiment in exchange for the long Snider, also Accoutrements (Black) Second Hand, sufficient to make up the establishment in place of those condemned. (2)

2 Band Scout Snider – QOR Museum Collection
2 band Scout Snider Sword Bayonet – QOR Museum Collection

The new 2 Band Scout Snider rifles were Regimental marked “QOR” with a corresponding rifle rack number on the top of the wood buttstock. This was marked in this place due to the new rifles having a steel buttplate.

2 Band Snider Enfield – QOR Museums Collection

These New Scout Snider rifles with 2 barrel bands would serve the Regiment up to the adoption of the Long Lee Enfield/Metfords in 1897.

Thank you for reading!

Graham Humphrey CD

  1. Regimental Orders – QOR Museum Archives

2. Regimental Diary 1860-1895 – City of Toronto Archive