Photo for Tuesday, 29th April
QOR Regular Force Photo Albums
As we continue to catalog and photograph our collection, we’d like to share three photo albums of the QOR Regular Force Battalions:
The albums have been photographed by one of our regular volunteers, Capt (Ret) Larry Hicks.
If you can help us, we strongly encourage you to comment on a specific photo to identify dates, people, places, or occasions!
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1893 Officers’ Photo Album
One of the joys of being the Curator (or a volunteer) is “discovering” fascinating items in our collection – particularly those interesting items that for one reason or another, are not on exhibit. One facet of our the collection is the archival material – records, manuscripts and photos – many of which date back to the 19th century. Some are in great condition and others not so much.
One which is in reasonably good condition, is a photography album entitled “Officers – Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada – 1893”. In contains 37 black and white portraits of the officers in the regiment in 1893 under the command of Lieutenant Colonel R. B. Hamilton. They include several names of those who later would command the regiment: Delamere, Pellatt, Mercer, Rennie and Royce. And as did Mercer and Rennie, others also held command roles during the First World War: Barker, Le Vesconte and Michell. Peuchen later commanded a QOR Battalion but was best known for surviving the RMS Titanic. Surgeon Lesslie and Assistant Surgeon Nattrass were long serving members of the Regiment.
Of interest to many will be the variety of regimental dress and headdress which appear in these photos which may not all have been taken in 1893 but certainly were of that period and shortly before.
As part of our ongoing cataloging project, Capt (Ret) Larry Hicks has been photographing many of our artifacts and archival materials and once again has done an excellent job of photographing these photographs so they can be added to our digital database and to our website.
I encourage you to take a moment to return to the 19th century and check out the contents of this amazing 1893 Officers’ Album on our Flickr site.
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WWI Swearing and Slang
Check out this blog post on First World War swearing and slang::
http://www.warhistoryonline.com/war-articles/swearing-wwi.html
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New Queen’s Own Badge
The new badge for The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada which now includes the “The” has been officially posted in the Canada Gazette on March 22, 2014:
Le 22 mars 2014 Gazette du Canada Partie I 657 Bearings have been made, as entered in the Public Register of Arms, Flags and Badges of Canada (Volume, page): Approval of the Badge of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, Toronto, Ontario, July 15, 2013 (Vol. VI, p. 248). Approval of the Badge of the Combat Training Centre, Oromocto, New Brunswick, July 15, 2013 (Vol. VI, p. 251). Approval of The Princess Royal’s Banner for the Royal Canadian Medical Service, Ottawa, Ontario, July 15, 2013 (Vol. VI, p. 264). Confirmation of the Badge of the Canadian Forces Joint Operational Support Group, Kingston, Ontario, October 15, 2013 (Vol. VI, p. 273). Approval of the Badge of the Canadian Forces Logistics Training Centre, Borden, Ontario, November 15, 2013 (Vol. VI,p. 280). STEPHEN WALLACEHerald Chancellor
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More 1945 QOR Baseball Photos
2014 Volunteer Recognition Night
On February 13th, we held our first Museum Volunteer Recognition Night to thank those volunteers who have helped us out in the 2012 and 2013. Thirty-five volunteers and guest gathered the Queen’s Own Rifles Officers’ Mess at Moss Park Armoury for food and refreshments all courtesy of a donor who wishes to remain anonymous. We’d like to thank the President of the Mess Committee and the mess staff for a great spread!
We we’re also pleased to be joined by RSM Mark Shannon and Captain Adam Hermant, President of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Trust which “owns and operates” the museum.
From October 2012 to December 31, 2013, seventy-four volunteers provided over 950 hours of service! These volunteers come from former members of the regiment and their families; serving members of the regiment; students from various museum studies programs; and friends of the regiment and museum – each bringing different talents, skills and experience. This event was also an opportunity for them to meet and get to know each other.
We have an ambitious “to-do” list for the museum and we can’t hope to make any significant progress without the help of volunteers. It was a little slow to get started with just Clay and Nancy Downes and Larry Hicks in the Fall of 2012 but as the word got out, volunteers were coming out in greater and greater numbers.
So what have they been doing? They’ve catalogued and photographed artifacts, cleaned display cases, built storage shelves, constructed exhibit walls, painted, moved display cabinets, planned our First World War commemorations and activities, and organized and support events (including members of the band) just to name a few things.
We also took this opportunity to recognize some volunteer who had put in significant hours of service:
- Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) John Fotheringham and Master Corporal Graham Humphrey each put in over 25 hours
- Captain (Ret) Larry Hicks put in over 50 hours and
- Nancy and Clay Downes together put in over 200 hours of service!
Clay and Nancy were presented with the first edition of the QOR Portraits book as a special thank you.
RSM Mark Shannon also took a moment to thank on behalf of the regiment, Curator Major (Ret) John Stephens and Assistant Curator CWO (Ret) Shaun Kelly for their service over the past eighteen months.
Thanks to all our volunteers from 2012 and 2013 even if you couldn’t make our recognition night and we look forward to another successful year in 2014!
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1945 Baseball Team
Thanks to Master Corporal Humphrey’s research, we’re able to share a program from the September 1945 Softball Championship of the Canadian Forces in the Netherlands. Inside the program we find the team lines ups for The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Perth Regiment.
The following photo posted in our last blog includes almost all the members listed above and would suggest they won this game!
Canadian Army Champions and Canadian Armed Forces Champions
(Click the photo for team member names)
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Sports in the Regiment 1922-1923
As we kick off the 2014 Winter Olympics, we thought we’d share a few snippets of sports related regimental history.
The following is an excerpt from the 1922-1923 QOR Association Annual Report.
Sports in the Regiment
A phase of development in the life of every regiment that is, perhaps, one of the most essential to its success, and perhaps one of the most neglected, it in the world of sport. “Playing the game,” win or lose, must be inculcated in the mind of any who take a part, and this last devolves upon efficient leadership. It is such an ideal that the QOR has endeavoured to induce and maintain, that its part in the development of National life may not be confined to the discipline of the parade ground but to include self-discipline in the everyday life of its members. The Queen’s Own Rifles Athletic Association, therefore, became a reality on December 9th, 1922, and took over the work that had been carried on by Maj. F.H. Wood and his Committee through the difficult period of re-organization. The officers elected were: Hon. Pres. Col. A. E. Kirkpatrick; Pres., Capt. G.G. Emsley Raley, MC; Vice-Pres,. Sgt. L. Baker; Sec’y-Treas, Lieut. T. A. Laidlaw; Executive, Lieut. A. E. Williams, Lieut. A deL. Panet, CQMS G. Alexander, Sgt. J. A. Wilson.
Indoor baseball hockey and basketball were chosen as the sports for the Winder season, and on Jan. 4th, the Regimental Indoor Ball League opened…
Throughout the season matches have been played at the Armouries each Wednesday evening from 7:30 to 11:00 pm, one diamond being reserved from 9:30 to 11:00 pm for Cadets and members of companies and details not entered in the League. Hockey and baseball were innovations but the interest shown was encouraging to those on whom the work really fell. About 25 to 30 men turned out for hockey practice and games at Little Vic Rink and a team of league calibre was selected to form the nuclei of the 1923-24 teams; the season closed with a win of 11-3 over the crack B.A. Life aggregation. On Feb. 28 a well attended hockey and recruiting meeting was held at the Armouries and it was decided to enter the Regimental team in a Senior City league during the season of 1923-24 (see photo below. )
The Officers’ Baseball team is an organization apart for the Association but is an invaluable agent in training candidates: Capt. J.S. Beatty, Team Captain; Major H. Pepler, M.C. Manager; Capt. Ross Walker, Secy.-Treas.
Champions 5th Canadian Division Witley, England, August 1917
(Click on the photos for team names)
Garrison Champions – Eastern Canada 1935-36
Canadian Army Champions and Canadian Armed Forces Champions
(click the photo to see team member names)
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3rd Bn CEF War Diaries Online
Perhaps not surprisingly, as the centenary of the First World War approaches, some of the most popular pages on our website are the transcribed war diaries of the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Libraries and Archives Canada had scanned several hundred pages of these diaries and posted them on to their website as jpeg photos. As valuable as this was, they were impossible to search and the way they were listed on their site made it a challenge to find a particular date quickly.
So in the Fall of 2012, we undertook to crowd-source the transcriptions of these pages and were very pleasantly surprised by the results! Within just eleven weeks, 27 volunteers all recruited online and some from the far corners of the world, had transcribed 53 months of diaries and they were posted on our website! This has also allowed us to link to other information on our website such as specific soldier profiles and to include photos of relevant artifacts. We continue to add to these pages as we can.
I highly encourage you to check them out if you have not already done so because they give, in concise military way, a chilling perspective on this horrible war.
We’ve received some positive feedback on this resource but I was particularly pleased to see the recent comment reprinted below, from a US Army Lieutenant Colonel whose Scottish grandfather crossed the border from US to join the 255th Battalion, CEF. He eventually see combat with the 3rd Battalion. His story also illustrates how the war continued to impact families long after it had ended.
Folks,
Thanks for transcribing the 3rd Bn war diaries. In August 1913, my grandfather, John Denning Wallace, immigrated from Paisley, Scotland to Kearny, New Jersey. In April 1918, he crossed the border and joined the Toronto Regiment to fight with the CEF in WWI. He served with the 3rd Bn on the front lines near Arras, France, from November 1917 until July 15, 1918, when he sustained a gunshot wound in the left arm. In February 1919, he was medically discharged for the “GSW left arm” and for “trench exposure.” A few years later, he died from the trench exposure at age 30 [1926].
On review of my grandfather’s CEF discharge certificate and military records, they did not reveal how he sustained his combat wound, and for many years I often wondered. Thankfully, the 3rd Bn war diaries provided me with some background. The 3rd Bn war diaries for July 14-16 1918, and the 3rd Bn end of month casualty report for July 1918, reveal that my grandfather, “Wallace, J.D.”, and three other 3rd Bn soldiers were wounded by machine gun fire whilst “laying wire ” near Post 7 in the Fampough sector near Arras. The next day, one had died from his wounds.
Now I know.
Thanks.
Wayne S. Wallace,
LTC, U.S. Army
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Enlisted Uniforms of the Queen`s Own Rifles of Canada in World War Two
The Queen’s Own mobilized for the Second World War on 24 May 1940. The Regiment’s first assignment was the defence of the two strategic airfields of Botwood and Gander, Newfoundland then a posting to New Brunswick for additional training and integration into 8th Brigade. Eventually, the Regiment was posted to England, in July 1941, as a part of the 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Canadian Division. During the Regiment’s training in the UK, the Colonel-in-Chief, Queen Mary, visited the battalion in Aldershot.
The Queen’s Own’s first action came forming part of the assault wave of the D-Day invasion, 6 June 1944. The Dalton brothers — Majors Charles O. and H. Elliott– were the assault company commanders in the landing. The Regiment hit the beach at the small Normandy seaside resort of Bernieres-sur-Mer, shortly after 0800 hours, on 6 June 1944. They fought through Normandy, Northern France, and into Belgium and Holland, where they liberated the crucial channel ports. In capturing the tiny farming hamlet of Mooshof, Germany, Sergeant Aubrey Cosens was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.
The last action of the war for The Queen’s Own Rifles came at 1200 hours on 4 May, when C Company attacked a cross roads just east of Ostersander, Germany. It was taken by 1500 hours, and the order came to discontinue fire on the enemy unless fired upon. Unfortunately, two members of The Queen’s Own lost their lives on this the last day of the war in Europe. The official cease-fire came at 0800 hours on 5 May 1945 followed by VE Day on 8 May. The battalion paraded to a church at Mitte Grossefehn and Major H.E. Dalton, now the acting Commanding Officer, addressed the Regiment. During the war 463 Queen’s Own were killed in action and are buried in graves in Europe and almost 900 were wounded, many two or three times. Sixty more QOR personnel were killed serving with other units in Hong Kong, Italy and Northwest Europe.
Mobilization
During the mobilization of the Regiment in 1940 the regiment was sent straight to Camp Borden (CFB Borden). There, the Regiment got its first issue of uniforms which consisted of; Canadian Battle Dress trousers and blouse, shirt, ammo boots, Anklets, and the pre-war QOR wedge cap. The QOR has been using the Rifleman green wedge cap ever since roughly the 1870s. The cap is a green melton wool with a scarlet Pom-pom attached to the front as well as two Rifleman small buttons. Scarlet piping is added along the top seam of the cap as well the QOR cap badge mounted on the left side.
Request for approval of the wearing of Coloured F.S. Cap NDHQ 14 October 1940
Coloured F.S. Cap
Reg H.200-1-17 of 7 Sept.
The coloured F.S. Cap worn by this Regiment, both 1st and 2nd battalions, is described below. It has been in use for many years but it is not known whether or not details are in possession of N.D.H.Q.
The pattern of the cap is slightly different from the issue cap, being more rounded in front.
Officers
Colour of cap, flaps and crown – Black
Piping top, front and back seems – Black
No piping on flaps.
Scarlet grenade 1″ in diameter attached at front of top where two top seams meet.
Height of flap at back……………….. 2 1/4″
Height of crown seam, midway….. 4″
Height of crown seam, 1/4 way back
from front seam……………… 3 3/4″
Height of junction of top seams
at front…………………………2 1/2″
Other Ranks
Colour of cap, glaps and crown – Rifle Green.
Piping top, front and back seams – Scarlet.
No piping on flaps.
Scarlet wool ball 1″ in diameter attached at front of top where two top seams meet.
Height of flap at back……2″
Height of crown seam, midway…… 3 7/8″
Height of crown seam, 1/4 way back
from front seam………3 3/4″
Height of junction of top seams
at front…….. 2 3/4″
May the above be forwarded for approval,
Please.
Lt Col
Commanding 1st. Bn. Q.O.R. of C. (CASF).
Regimental Orders by Major MacKendrick E.D. Comd 1st Bn QORofC
Camp Borden, Ontario 12 July 1940
Dress, Officers & Other Ranks
Extract C.A.S.F. R.O.521
- The collar of the battle dress may be worn open on all occasions during the summer season.
- The regulation Khaki shirt will be worn with battle dress. The wearing of various coloured shirts and collars is not permitted.
- Other ranks will not wear ties
- The collar of the blouse may be lined to protect the neck.
- The ribands of orders, decorations, and medals will be worn in undress, service dress and battle dress in the prescribed manner.
1940
7 August 1940 Botwood and Gander, Newfoundland
6 December 1940 Sessex, New Brunswick
Before leaving Borden in August 1940 the Regiments dress was fresh new stocks of the new Canadian made battle dress uniform. Consisting of ankle boots, ankle gators, wool trousers, suspenders, wool tunic, and wool greatcoat. As well, Canadian-made Pattern 37 webbing which consisted of basic front pouches, web belt, cross straps, canteen and holder, entrenching tool and sheath, bayonet frog, and the chest respirator were included. Additionally, Canadian-made denim working uniforms were adopted for use in training and work around camp. The headdress was the QOR pre-war Rifleman green field service cap, the Mk1 helmet, or a wool winter toque. Shoulder insignia was a black pin-on QOR title or a worsted black QOR on a wool slip-on worn on the epaulette of the battledress. The standard rifle was the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III* with the long bayonet (termed a ‘sword’ in Rifle regiments) which had been in use since the First World War. Transferring from Newfoundland to Sussex, New Brunswick several changes occurred with the exchange of the Mk1 helmet to the new Mk2 helmet, and the adoption of a winter wool cap. This was worn squarely on the head with the Regimental cap badge fixed centre on the front of the front flap of the cap.
Regimental Orders by Major MacKendrick E.D. Comd 1st Bn QORofC
Camp Sussex, N.B 11 mar. 1941
Wearing of Chevrons on Greatcoats; Chevrons will be worn on both arms of greatcoats in the following manner: – above the elbow, the points of the 1 bar chevrons 9 inches, the 2 bar 9 ½ inches, and the 3 bar 10 ½ inches from the top of the sleeve, point downwards.
Regimental Orders by Major MacKendrick E.D. Comd 1st Bn QORofC
Camp Sussex, N.B. 21 dec 1940
Dress – Winter Order
Attention is drawn by the Brigade Major to the following Brigade Orders.
(a) Winter caps will be brought into wear for all purposes with effect from 27 Nov. 1940
(b) Greatcoats and/or overshoes may be worn in camp and on training parades at the discretion of Officers Commanding units.
(c) Until further orders greatcoats and overshoes will be worn on all parades, both training and ceremonia,l at which more than one unit is present.
(d) Greatcoats will be worn on all occasions in “Walking-Out Order” on duty in the town of Sussex and on leave or pass until further orders. Overshoes may be worn at discretion of Officers Commanding units in “Walking-Out Order”.
Wearing of Winter Caps; Winter caps will be worn squarely on the head. (Bde. Order 176)
1941
With the transfer of the Regiment to England in July 1941, a number of changes to the accoutrement of the Regiment occurred. The change from the QOR pin-on or worsted QOR slip-on to a red stitched “QUEEN’S OWN RIFLES” on a rifle green backing occurred. Since the shoulder title didn’t include “CANADA”, the QOR adopted the white-stitched “CANADA” title – either curved or straight – which was stitched below the Regimental shoulder title. Also, we see the addition of a QOR Decal on the Mk II helmet which consisted of a red, green, red, green, and red. At this time, each Regiment in the Canadian military was permitted to adopt a lanyard colour. The QOR retained their red lanyard, which differs from the the black lanyard worn by today’s Rifle regiments. This red lanyard was worn until the end of the war.
22 May 1925 Standing Orders and Instructions
204. WHISTLE CORD shall be of red cord worn around left arm under shoulder strap.
15 Dec. 1942 Standing Orders and Instructions
- Dress
Officers
(b) Officers will wear black anklets and boots and black ties with battledress, in field service dress, black shoes and socks, black tie and F.S.Green.
Other ranks
(e) A red whistle cord will be worn on the left shoulder by all officers, warrant officers and sergeants.
(i) Some of the irregularities noticed in the dress of the Cdn. Corps are as follows:
The wearing of canvas shoes when walking out. The battle dress blouse undone at neck, except when marching easy. Men either without F.S. Cap or carrying it under shoulder strap.
(j) Badges – On joining the unit each man will be provided free with regt. Badges, cap, shoulder badges Q.O.R., Canada and Div. Patch also cap F.S. Green. From then on he will be held responsible that he is always in possession of these articles.
(k) The F.S. Cap green will not be worn when on duty with troops, but will be only worn off duty, church parades or when walking out.
(o) Chin straps and regimental flashes will be worn on the left side of the helmet.
(p) Good conduct Stripes are awarded after two years good service and are worn on the left arm below the elbow.
- Order of dress
Uniformity of dress is to be stressed at all times.
(a) Battle Order
- Battle Dress – anklets
- Steel Helmet (With of without net as ordered)
- Web Equipment (braces to be worn)
- Respirator (slung over right shoulder under waistbelt. Mounted personnel will wear respirator at alert)
- Water Bottle (on right side)
- Haversack (with ground sheet or gas cape as ordered)
- Sword under left arm
- Gas cape (on shoulder if ordered)
- Entrenching tool
- G1098 ammunition.
(b) Marching Order
- As above except – pack carried in place of haversack.
- Haversack slung at left side.
- Respirator at “Alert Position”.
(c) Fatigue Order
- Battle dress, denim and boots.
- Other equipment as ordered
(d) Church Parade Order
- Battle Dress and anklets.
- F.S. Green Cap.
- Respirator and helmet (if ordered)
(e) Guard and Picket Order
- Battle Dress and anklets
- Steel Helmets
- Skeleton web
- Respirator at “alert position”
- Gase Cape (rolled on shoulder)
- Detector sleeves
(f) Walking Out Order
- Battle Dress
- F.S. Green Cap
- Anklets – (may or may not be worn).
- Black shoes and socks may be worn by those in possession of them in lieu of boots.
(g) Drill Order with Pouches
- Steel Helmet
- Web braces, belts & pouches
- Sword at left side of the belt
- Battledress and anklets
(h) Piquet Order
- F.S. Khaki cap
- Waistbelt and sidearm
- Battledress and anklet
With the formation of the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, the QOR was place in its 8th Brigade with Le Regiment de la Chaudiere and the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment. The Divisional formation patch was of French Grey Melton wool fabric which measured 3 inches by 2 inches. A number of shades of this French Grey were seen throughout the war.
Starting in 1941, the headdress of the Canadians changed from the pre-war QOR Rifleman Green Wedge to a Khaki wool “Field Service Cap”. This was worn with a slight angle to the right and centred on the head. The location in which the QOR cap badge was mounted was on the left side similar to the QOR rifle green wedge cap.
1943 In mid 1943, the headdress of the Canadians changed once again with the adoption of the beret. In keeping with rifleman tradition, the wearing of a rifle green backing behind the cap badge was authorized. The backing was of Melton Rifle Green wool and roughly measured 25cm by 25 cm with the Cap Badge centred within the patch. The wearer would have the leather band of the beret two fingers over the eye brows with the Cap badge over the middle of the left eye. The excess material was draped over the right side and pulled back.
In 1943-44, a different QOR cap badge was introduced. Mainly seen on replacements of this time period, the cap badge contains less detail and the Arabic number “2” less defined.
1944 With the coming invasion of France, the 3rd Division was issue additional kit and equipment. The most noticeable was the Mk III “turtle shell” helmet which offered more protection for the wearer than the Mk II helmet.
The second most noticeable change was the adoption of the high-top buckle boots which were tried in Italy and widely issued to the 3rd Division. This lead to the term “3rd Div boots” or “Invasion boots”. Constructed with 9 eyelets and a buckle at the top of the boot, these boots put on a more modern look and were sought-after boots.
“Invasion boots” – QOR Musuem’s Collection
Introduced around mid-1944 was the British-made canvas insignia. Examples of this come in the 3rd Division French Grey flashes, Canada titles, and “QUEEN’S OWN RIFLES” shoulder titles. These had a tendency to fade and fray. This characteristic was not desireable.
1945 Introduced to all Companies of the Battalion on March 19 1945 was the “Windproof Smock” which is know as today. “Coys issued with sniper jackets which beside being good camouflage are quite serviceable and waterproof” (War Diary March 19 1945 Reichswald Forest, Germany)
With the war coming to a close, the QOR was put onto occupation duty in 1945-46. To display that they were an occupation force, a single 2 cm wide occupation bar was added at the base of the 3rd Division patch. With the QOR being the senior Regiment in this Brigade, a green occupation bar was added on top of the 3rd Division patch as well.
Battledress number A is a 1945-46 occupation blouse. Notice the addition of the occupation stripe and the tailored collar with black cloth.
Battledress number B is the Battledress of the Commanding Officer of the Occupation force, Lt. Col. J. N. Medhurst OBE ED 4th Bn, QOR of C (CAOF) 8 June 1945 – 25 December 1945.
As well, a new QOR shoulder title was introduced with a more foliage green backing and hand-embroidered “QUEEN’S-OWN-RIFLES”. As well the custom of blackening web gear is seen again during 1945-46 period mainly walking out belts, pistol, pistol ammunition pouches and ankle gators.
Thank you for reading! Any additional information, questions or correction please send to museum@qormuseum.org
Cheers,
MCpl Graham Humphrey
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Bernières-sur-Mer
Ever wonder what Bernières-sur-Mer looked like on June 6, 1944? Well here is an Aerial photograph taken roughly around 1100hrs on June 6th.
Cheers,
MCpl Graham Humphrey
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Uniforms of the 1910 Trip to England
Interested how the Enlisted men of the Regiment looked during the trip to England in 1910? Well we have the answer for you!
1910 Prior to the departure of the QOR contingent to England Sir Henry Pellatt outfitted the Regiment in a Khaki wool uniform. The construction of this tunic had a stiff rifle green collar, seven small silver buttons that had a blacken tinge to them, two on the upper pockets yet none on the bottom slack pockets and rifle green epaulettes that have brass/silver QOR title. The use of normal QOR rank with Black Braid on Red was not used but the regular White braid on Khaki was as well as the standard QOR collar dogs on the collar. 1905 model Khaki high waisted pants were worn with Puttees wrapped around the calf and ankles. At this time Oliver Pattern Webbing was used as well the Canadian made Ross Rifle 1905 model and bayonet. This was in use by the Regiment up until the out break of world war one which saw the uniforms used until Valcartier and replaced before shipping to England with the 3rd Battalion CEF.
The headdress of the time was the new model 1905 Khaki Service dress peaked cap . The overall construction of the cap is made out of a Khaki Wool including the peak. As with Rifle Regiment tradition a Wool Green band was added around the upper part of the base of the headdress. The Regimental Cap Badge would be fixed centre of the Peaked cap.
Any additional information or correction please send to museum@qormuseum.org
Cheers,
MCpl Graham Humphrey
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What is the story of YOUR remembrance coin?
Units of the Canadian Armed Forces often follow the tradition of presenting new members of the unit with a regimental coin. These coins are normally serialized, based on the member’s date of service with the unit, with a registry of coins being held by regimental headquarters.
The coin is meant to be symbol of membership within the unit, with members expected to carry their coin at all times.
During Lieutenant Colonel Fotheringham’s first term as Commanding Officer, then Company Sergeant Major Shaun Kelly created a unique initiative which incorporated the exclusive membership aspect of a regimental coin whilst also honouring the history of the Regiment. Instead of a coin which is serialized to the member based on the date of service with the unit, members of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada are issued a coin with the particulars of a member of the Regiment who died during one of the wars which the Regiment fought in. They were first presented to members of the regiment on Remembrance Day 2002.
Rfn E. Honeyford
D/W (Died of wounds)
16-Apr-1917
The antique pewter like coin is 39mm in diameter. The Obverse has the Primary Badge surrounded by the name of the regiment and the regimental motto “In Pace Paratus”. The Reverse has inscribed the particulars of the member whom the coin is dedicated to:
- Service Number;
- Rank, Initials, Surname;
- KIA or D/W; and
- date of death.
A coin is presented to each member of the Regiment by the Commanding Officer or Regimental Sergeant Major on the first Church Parade which the member participates in after having been “badged” into the Regiment.
The Names Behind the Coins
But carrying the coin is just the first step. Riflemen are strongly encouraged to research the soldier named on their coin and many do. This makes the act of remembrance much more meaningful.
On our Regimental Museum website we have a section called “Soldiers of the Queen’s Own” in which we are adding biographies of soldiers who have served in the regiment – during any period since 1860 – or in the First World War battalions that we perpetuate. To date we’ve only added a very tiny sampling.
But we want to continue to expand this depository particularly as we approach the centenary of the First World War. If you’ve researched the soldier named on your coin, we strongly encourage you to send us whatever information you have – it can be in point form – so that we can add it to our website.
Please email your information to museum@qormuseum.org and make sure you include all the details from your coin as a starting point.
Thanks,
Major (Ret) John Stephens, CD
Curator
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Warm wishes for the Holiday Season
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Christmas Cards to the QOR
The following are some examples of Christmas Cards in our Museum Archives that were sent to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada or officers of the QOR.
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Regimental Christmas Cards since 1923
Check out this second gallery of Regimental Christmas cards since 1923, many of which will be in our temporary exhibit at the museum starting December 1st.
Click on any photo below to access the gallery.
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Regimental Christmas Cards from the First and Second World War
As we approach another holiday season, we’re sharing some of the Regimental Christmas Cards that will be on a temporary exhibit at the Museum starting 1 December. This first series is primarily from the First World War with one from 1941. The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada perpetuate the 83rd, 166th and 198th Battalions represented below.
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National Philanthropy Day and Charitable Giving
“They who give have all the things. They who withhold have nothing.”
(Hindu Proverb)
(Theodore Roosevelt)
(Hindu Proverb)
Did you know November 15 is National Philanthropy Day?
This special day is set aside to recognize and pay tribute to the great contributions that philanthropy—and those people active in the philanthropic community—have made to our lives, our communities and our world.
What makes philanthropy so special is that no one is required to give of themselves. There are no national laws or regulations which mandate that you must volunteer or get involved. Philanthropy is so powerful and inspiring precisely because it is voluntary—that through the goodness of our hearts, through our need to connect, through our desire to see a better world, we come together to improve the quality of life for all people.
Through your generosity, billions of dollars and volunteer hours are given every year to countless nonprofits and charities around the world. Millions and millions of programs—from feeding the hungry and clothing the needy, curing the sick, saving the environment—happen every day because of you and your commitment to your favorite causes.
On National Philanthropy Day®, charities around the world thank you for your support. Your involvement—whether it’s mentoring, volunteering, giving, staffing an event or showing your support on social media—makes philanthropy possible, and makes National Philanthropy Day so special and meaningful.
Philanthropy and our Regimental Museum
In 2013 we’ve been very thankful for the many generous volunteers who have assisted us in a whole variety of ways at the Regimental Museum. So far this year we’ve seen 43 volunteers provide over 675 hours of service – from cataloging and photography to construction and painting to exhibit planning and event support! And aside from these recorded hours, are many many more where are supporters have helped connect with us and share our Museum and the history we tell, through their social media outlets.
Volunteers are really priceless but if we did chose to put a monetary value to their time and effort, even at minimum wage that amount would exceed our annual operating budget – and the year still has a month and a half to go!
We have also been the recipient of gifts in kind from four corporate donors in 2013:
- The Hudson Bay Company (Flagship Store)- Mannequins
- Benjamin Moore Paints – Paint
- Pegasus Catering – Food vouchers
- Vifloor Canada Ltd – Computers
The Museum’s operating funding (for day to day expenses), rent and insurance is provided by the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Trust Fund – to which many of your already contribute financially. Together the Trust, our dedicated volunteers and generous corporate donors form a pretty formidable combination.
But we’d also ask you to consider a special financial donation, particularly in recognition of National Philanthropy Day, to help us move closer to creating a museum of the 21st century – one that will help us tell the very important story of our Regiment and our Rifleman in the most engaging and effective manner we can.
You can mail a cheque to (note your donation is for the Museum Fund:
QORofC Trust Fund
Box 250, Unit 12A
4981 Highway 7 East
Markham, ON L3R 1N1
You can also make a donation online via our Trust Fund’s CanadaHelps page (under Fund/Designation select “Museum Fund”.)
We are most grateful for both your volunteer and financial contributions.
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”(Theodore Roosevelt)
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Who do you Remember?
Shortly many of us will be standing in front of cenotaphs, wrapped up from the biting cold wind, wearing poppies, laying wreaths and silently remembering during the silence between Last Post and Reveille.
As a Regiment, the Queen’s Own Rifles have much to remember:
- In its baptism of fire during the Battle of Ridgeway in June, 1866 the QOR saw its first casualties – 7 killed in action and 2 later dying of wounds – some of whom had left their final University of Toronto exams the day before. Nineteen more were wounded including Rifleman White whose arm was eventually amputated.
- In 1885 the Regiment sent a contingent 274 soldiers to Canada’s Northwest to put down a perceived rebellion by local Métis and First Nations. While all the QOR returned alive, five suffered wounds.
- In the South African War Canada contributed troops for overseas service for the first time through a Service Battalion to which the Queen’s Own contributed – three would not return. Two died of enteric fever (typhoid) and one was killed in action.
- During the First World War, The Queen’s Own through recruitment sent 210 officers and 7,352 men overseas and of these 47 regimental officers and 1,207 other ranks were killed in action, died of wounds, or died from natural causes – almost 1 in 6. To this day, Major General Malcolm Mercer remains the highest ranking Canadian Officer to be killed in combat. And of course this doesn’t include those who did return but with missing limbs, lungs damaged from gas, blinded, or suffering shell-shock.
- The Second World War also saw significant casualties: 28 officers killed; 365 other ranks killed while serving with the 1st Battalion, QOR; 3 died in England; 1 in Canada; 1 in Holland; 61 Queen’s Own men died whilst serving with other units. Fifty officers and 823 other ranks were officially reported as wounded – many more than once.
- WWII was hardly over before the QOR found themselves in Korea where six gave the ultimate sacrifice.
- Since then numerous soldiers have died in accidents and of natural causes while serving in the Regular Force and Reserve battalions.
Thousands of QOR soldiers have given their lives since 1866 and this November 11th we will once again honour and remember them.
However each Remembrance Day I also remember those closer to home. An ancestor who fought in the War of 1812, a grandfather and several great uncles who fought in the First World War – some came home and one didn’t. And perhaps most poignantly, my paternal grandfather who during the Second World War, left a wife and 4 young children to serve in the 5th Canadian Field Ambulance. He lies buried in a hilltop Commonwealth War Graves Commission Cemetery with all his fellow Canadians who were killed in Sicily. Mt Etna smokes in the distance and one realizes how far from home it was.
As we lead up to this November 11th when we will honour all those who have served and sacrificed, I invite you to tell us in the comment section below, who do you remember?
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 