See Timeline home page for references.
2000-2004|2005-2009|2010-2014|2015-2019|
March – Colonel Paul F. Hughes is appointed Honorary Colonel of the QOR. Colonel Hughes recently arranged for a QOR crest to be carved on one of the pews at the Royal Memorial Chapel in Sandhurst.
April 28 – Regimental Band and Bugles held at Concert at St. Paul’s Church. Bloor St.
April 29 – The regiment celebrates it’s 140th Anniversary with Defence Minister Arthur Eggleton as a guest of honour at the “Gala Rifles Dinner and Ball.” Dinners were also held in Victoria and Calgary.
May 5 – Jump exercise at CFB Borden
“On Guard 90” a two-week intensive project for hundreds of regular and reserve army troops, is held at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa
Issue of new 5.56mm C7 rifles, C9 light machine guns and 7.62mm rifles in the Canadian Forces Small Arms Replacement Project (SARP)
Bugle Band of the Royal Gurkha Engineers visited the regiment
September 26 – Brigadier General Don Pryer and Colonel Paul Hughes visit the Colonel in Chief HRH Princess Alexandra and presented her with two gifts on the occasion of the 140th Anniversary of the Regiment.
2001
January 21 – Change of Regimental Sergeant Major from Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Sarossy to Chief Warrant Officer John Wilmot.
February – The Regiment had 7 Rifleman deployed on Roto 8 UN tour to Bosnia: MCpl Vergie, Cpl Kurelo. Cpl Ragos, Cpl Koene, Cpl Sherbanowski, Rfn A Kiss and Rfn J. Kiss. With the exception of Cpl Sherbanowski, all QOR soldiers were attached to 3 RCR Para Company.
March 3 – Jump exercise from a helicopter
April 27 – Regimental Band and Bugles held a concert at St Paul’s Anglican Church.
May 9 – Jump exercise at DZ Gorvad, CFB Borden:
June 10 – Lieutenant Colonel J. M. Fotheringham, CD replaces Lieutenant Colonel B. G. McEachern, CD as Commanding Officer
December 9 – Jump exercise at CFB Borden:
Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medals were awarded to 21 members of the regiment for service with UN or NATO in Bosnia, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt and the Golan Heights
2002
Formation of the Vancouver Island Branch of the QOR Association
Establishment of a Queen’s Own Rifles display at CFB Esquimalt
March 26 – Jump Exercise:
Spring – Jump exercise at CFB Borden:
March 12 – The Regimental Museum repatriates Louis Riel artefacts, original donated by Major Needler, to Le Musée de Saint-Boniface in St Boniface, Manitoba.
August 17 – Unit participated in Exercise Stalwart Warrior at CFB Petawawa. This ex centred around a mounted combat team led by QOR Major Adam Saunders. QOR paratroopers enplaned at Toronto’s Island Airport (now Billy Bishop Airport) and dropped into Petawawa to meet up with the other QOR infantry.
A QOR exhibit was set up at the CFB Esquimalt Museum.
2003
Official opening of the Juno Beach Centre at Courseulles-sur-Mer, Normandy, attended by a large group of veterans and members of the regimental family plus the Regimental Band and Bugles
June 9 – The remains of three unknown soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force who died on 6 November 1917 and whose bodies had been discovered on the Passchendaele battlefield, were re-buried at the Passendale New British Cemetery by representatives of The Queen’s Own Rifles and the Royal Regiment of Canada who jointly perpetuate the 3rd Battalion.
October 18 – Conducts Exercise Silent Knife at CFB Bordon
November – The Regiment had nine riflemen deployed overseas – Corporal T. Bahsous, Master Corporal M. Bioletti, Captain K. Haupt, Corporal J. Marmion, Corporal R. Mitchell, Warrant Officer (later CWO) M. Shannon, Lieutenant P. Slack, and Sergeant C. Van Hamme on Roto 13 in Bosnia, and Sergeant D. Harmes on Op Athena in Afghanistan [Powder Horn]
December – Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brand is deployed to the West African country of Sierra Leone as the Canadian Task Force Commander for Roto 6, OP SCULPTURE, in support of the UN authorized and British-led, International Military Advisory and Training Team (IMATT)
RIFLEMAN WHO DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN
2004
Major General Lew MacKenzie was guest speaker in St John’s, NF, at the formation dinner of the QOR Maritime Association branch.
June – Almost 50 members of the regimental family including a dozen WWII veterans, marked the 60th Anniversary of D-Day in Normandy
June – The QOR led several hundred troops from 32 Brigade in a march from Sunnybrook Hospital to Queen’s Park to mark the Battle of Normandy.
September 26 – Lieutenant Colonel H. J. Delaney, CD replaces Lieutenant Colonel John Fotheringham, CD as Commanding Officer
Several hundred members of the regimental family gathered in Calgary for a national reunion.
2006
April 22 – Opening of Dalton Armoury in Scarborough 37 Mid-Dominion Acres. This would be the home of Buff’s Company of the Regiment. Named in honour of Colonel’s Charles Dalton and Elliott Dalton who were company commanders on D-Day. Ribbon cut by Ellie’s widow, Marie Dalton.
August – Nine QOR Riflemen deploy for Roto in Afghanistan: Sergeant C. Van Hamme, Sergeant E. Howard, Master Corporal J. S. Murray, Corporal C. Abate, Corporal N. Harper, Corporal I. K. Kim, Corporal S. Thomas, and Rifleman M. R. J. McQuaid [Fall 2007 Powder Horn]
November – Then Major Sandi Banerjee deployed on OP SAFARI. He was the Deputy J9 for the UN HQ, the head of the Information Operations Coordination Centre (IOCC) and CIMIC O for NCR (Khartoum and Omdurman). From the CAF he was the Deputy Commander for Task Force Sudan. [Email 3 Aug 15]
2007
July – Major Sandi Banerjee re-deploys on OP SAFARI. [Email 3 Aug 15]
October 3 – Master Corporal Stephen Thomas is awarded the Medal of Bravery for action in Afghanistan:
“On October 3, 2006, in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Corporal Piotr Burcew, Captain Jason Demaine, then Lieutenant, Corporal Adrian Markowski and Master Corporal Stephen Thomas, then corporal, saved the lives of their fellow soldiers and local Afghan civilians by unloading ammunition from a disabled burning vehicle during a suicide bomber attack. Despite having to cross through flames, they repeatedly returned to the vehicle to retrieve mission-essential cargo and high-explosive ammunition that posed a deadly threat to those nearby. They moved away from the scene just moments before the fire raged out of control, detonating the remaining rounds.”
Presentation by French Government of “Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Legion of d’Honneur” to QOR WWII veterans Lieutenant Colonel Barney Danson, Sergeant Fred Barnard, and Rifleman Jim McCullough.
Total of 22 QOR deployed to Afghanistan.
2008
Second World War veteran and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Barney Danson, PC, CC named a Companion of the Order of Canada
March – Master Corporal Shane Silva the Regimental Quartermaster, was awarded the Chief of Defence Staff commendation for his initiative, coolness and competence in administering emergency first aid while waiting for an ambulance for a woman who was struck and injured by an automobile in Brandon, Manitoba.
April 8 – Sergeant Ted Howard awarded The United States of America’s President’s Gold Coin in recognition of his exemplary and outstanding service in Afghanistan in 2006. The coin was presented by U.S. Army General John Craddock, then Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) of NATO, at an Empire Club meeting in Toronto:
“Today I’m truly pleased to have the opportunity to meet and recognize Sgt Ted Howard. Sgt Howard is the epitome of selfless service, an outstanding Canadian soldier. He embodies the non-commissioned officer qualities we are highlighting this year throughout NATO—courage, sacrifice, initiative, performance and empowerment. Sgt Howard is a veteran of 15 years. He recently received the prestigious Canadian Expeditionary Force Commander’s Commendation for his achievements in Afghanistan. His skills were recognized early when he worked on civil military operations, nation building and ultimately as a part of a Provincial Reconstruction Team in a quite dangerous area in Afghanistan. He was personally responsible for the successful completion of more than 180 projects, working closely with municipal officials in Kandahar City and the Director of Women’s Affairs and the Director of Amputees. His projects included 15,000 man-days of labour and were personally recognized by President Karzai and by the foreign press. He also shared in the painful duty of helping repatriate fallen Canadian soldiers. Sgt Howard, thank you so much for what you’ve accomplished. You are indeed an inspiration, not only to your peers, but to senior leaders across NATO and across Afghanistan. And your good work continues as you prepare, and indeed inspire, the next group of soldiers from Ontario who will follow in your footsteps in doing invaluable work in Afghanistan. I now want to present you a Commander’s Coin for your great efforts.”
May 16 – Sergeant Bill Paton deployed to Afghanistan as a CIMIC Operator, 3 RCR Battle Group, Task Force 3-08, Maywand District, Kandahar Province. He returned May 1st 2009 and earns the Afghanistan Campaign Star with 180 day bar.
June – Lieutenant Colonel R. A. Zeidler, CD replaces Lieutenant Colonel John Fotheringham, CD as Commanding Officer
June 6 – Then Corporal Stephen Thomas and Sergeant Jamieson Murrary placed a QOR wreath during the D-Day ceremony at Juno Beach.
November 21 – Then Master Corporal Adam de Bartok is wounded by an IED explosion under his LAV while enroute to Kandahar City, Afghanistan. He would be awarded the Canadian Sacrifice Medal and the Canadian Expeditionary Force Commander’s Commendation for his work treating other wounded soldiers in the attack.
December – Lieutenant Colonel Steve Brand deploys to Afghanistan where he served in the NATO HQ in Kandahar as the lead planner for the US expansion effort. He returned to Canada in late August, 2009
December – Lieutenant Colonel John Fotheringham, CD replaces Lieutenant Colonel R.A. Zeidler, CD as Commanding Officer
2009
Book by Charles McGregor “Bands of The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, 1860-1960” published.
Sergeant Jamieson Murray was awarded a Canadian Expeditionary Forces Command (CESCOM) citation, which reads as follows:
“Sgt. Murray deployed with the Force Protection Platoon of the National Support Element, Task Force Afghanistan from August 2006 to March 2007. On several occasions throughout his tour, when enemy fighters ambushed his Combat Logistic Patrols, his leadership and composure under fire were instrumental in maintaining his troops’ focus on the successful completion of their mission. Even when injured, he placed himself in harm’s way to enforce fire orders, establish section and security and attend to wounded soldiers. Sgt. Murray’s dedication to duty and commitment to his fellow soldiers reflect the highest standards of professionalism and significantly enhanced support to the mission.”
May 1 – Sergeant Bill Paton returned from his Afghanistan deployment and is awarded the Afghanistan Campaign Star with 180 day bar.
Major General Herb Pitts is named President of the newly -established The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada National Association.
First of nine new markers of the 1866 Fenian Raid casualties is dedicated.
Vancouver Island Branch of the Association links up with a team of Dutch youngsters who promise to care for a QOR memorial in their home town of Doorn.
Events held in Victoria, Calgary, Toronto and the Maritimes to mark the Regiment’s 150th Anniversary.
Colonel in Chief Princess Alexandra attends events in Toronto but cannot reach Calgary and Victoria due to erupting volcano in Iceland. She presents the first educational award granted by the QOR’s Princess Alexandra Bursary program.
She also announces she will step down and that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will become the new Colonel in Chief. Honorary Colonel Paul Hughes led a small contingent to London to meet with the Duchess of Cornwall.
QOR soldiers marched with Ottawa’s Ceremonial Guard and stood sentry duty at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
QOR drum presented to The Buffs to mark 100th birthday was refurbished and returned to display in Canterbury Cathedral.
2011
April 26 – Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Brendan Caldwell replaces Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Dick Cowling as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel
June 6 – Jack Martin day on Toronto’s city hall square for the QOR D-Day veteran.
September 25 – Lieutenant Colonel Peter St. Denis replaces Lieutenant John Fotheringham as Commanding Officer
QOR veterans Rob Titus and Ken Barrett were among a group invited to meet and chat with Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, during her Canadian tour with Prince William
2012
Honorary Colonel Paul Hughes and Mrs. Bev Hughes visited Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in London and presented the new Colonel in Chief with a diamond-studded Queen’s Own Rifles brooch.
An alto horn made by custom order in the 1880s for a member of the Queen’s Own Rifle band was presented to the regimental museum by Owen Sound resident Dave Elliott. Bought at a garage sale for $100 a number of years ago and refurbished by Elliott’s friend Doug Farmer, they discovered it was made by a French company “Expressly for T. Claxton, Toronto” a band member in 1863.
March – Colonel Don Ethell, a former Queen’s Own rifleman who is now Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, was awarded the 27th Pearson Peace Medal in Ottawa, in March. The presentation was made by the Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Chief Justice of Canada, at Rideau Hall. Col Ethell was awarded the prestigious medal in recognition of his “Distinguished service as a decorated Canadian veteran of multiple United Nations peacekeeping tours, and for his passionate advocacy for veterans and their families.”
March – Seven QOR soldiers join the 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment to train with the US Army in Arizona.
May 22 – Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visits the regiment in Toronto and unveils her portrait commissioned by Colonel and Mrs. Paul Hughes.
June 4 – Marker for WWI 3rd (Toronto) Battalion dedicated at St Julien in recognition of the first gas attack at the 2nd Battle of Ypres. Attended by Lieutenant Colonels John Fotheringham (Ret’d) and Peter St Denis,
June 6 – Jack Hadley day at Toronto City Hall for the QOR D-Day veteran.
Association conducts a trip to Holland and Germany and unveils a new cairn at Fort MacLeod in Germany to commemorate the 1st and 2nd Battalions garrisoning there from 1957-1963.
Eight QOR soldiers led by then Lieutenant Roland Llewellyn-Thomas participated in a team from 32 Brigade in Ex Cumbrian Patrol in Wales where they would compete against teams from around the UK and numerous other countries.
November 29 – Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson takes over from Honorary Colonel Paul Hughes.
2013
January – 30th Airborne Company Reunion held at Moss Park Armouries.
June 2 – Wreath laid at Ridgeway in remembrance of the 147th anniversary of the Battle of Ridgeway.
November – Master Warrant Officer Fred Haire, CD is succeeded by then Sgt Emily Kenny as Bugle Major. Haire becomes Company Sergeant Major of Victoria Company.
November 5 – 20 QOR Rifleman travelled to Petawawa for a parachute descent with Mike Company 3RCR in a 4 plane formation jump.
2014
January 1 – the Liberty Entertainment Group begins a new 20-year contract with the City of Toronto to operate Casa Loma, home of the Regimental Museum since 1971. Liberty confirmed their wish to continue a partnership with the QOR for the term of their contract.
January 19 – D-Day veteran Leonard Cross award Night of the French Legion of Honour.
February 13 – Regimental Museum holds 1st Volunteer Recognition Night in the Officers’ Mess at Moss Park Armoury. Special presentation made to former Rifleman Clay and Nancy Downes for their efforts at the museum since 2012.
March ?? – 2881 QOR Cadet Corps visits the Regimental Museum
April 19 – QOR Association Vancouver Island Branch held Regimental Birthday Dinner and Dance
April ?? – Unit participates in Exercise Neptune Phoenix I
May ?? – Colonel in Chief the Duchess of Cornwall meets senior members of the regiment in Winnipeg
May ?? – Unit participates in Exercise Neptune Phoenix II
May 30 to June 13 – 52 people participated in the QOR Association’s 70th Anniversary D-Day Tour to France and Belgium organized by CWO (Ret’d) Brian Budden
June 3 – The Queen’s Own Rifles Trust dedicates new memorials at Passchendaele and Vine Cottage.
June 3-11 – Led by Lieutenant Colonel Sandi Banerjee and Chief Warrant Officer Paul Martin, an Honour Guard of 20 members of the regiment went to Normandy and participated in ceremonies for the 70th Anniversary of Day.
June 6 – A contingent of serving QOR and veteran Jack Hadley, attend the 70th Anniversary of D-Day Ceremony at Juno Beach and visit other WWII sites.
August 15-30 – Unit participated in Exercise Stalwart Guardian and led the Battle Group, conducting defensive and offensive ops with 2 CMBG. Lieutenant Colonel Sandi Banerjee was the Battle Group commander, Chief Warrant Officer Paul Martin was the Battle Group Sergeant Major, and Major Scott Moody was the Operations Officer.
August – QOR Association Vancouver Island Branch members participated in a commemorative event held by the Falaise Community Centre to unveil a permanent historical display board explaining the battle in which the Queen’s Own Rifles participated.
September ?? – Unit participated in Exercise Pegasus Strike I in Meaford
September 14 – Lieutenant Colonel Sandi Banerjee, CD replaces Lieutenant Colonel Peter St. Denis as Commanding Officer.
September 28 – Regimental Museum co-sponsored a First Word War Symposium with the 15th Battalion Memorial Association (48th Highlanders) at Moss Park Armoury with 50+ in attendance.
October 19 – QOR Association Vancouver Island Branch held Octoberfest Dinner and Dance
October 18 – The QOR Association Toronto Branch was presented with the Canon Scott Trophy and received a plaque for placing second in the 93rd Annual Warriors day Parade, Marching Parade Category
October 26 – “Calling”, a work written for military band and bugles, is premiered at the 25th Annual Royal Canadian Military Institute Concert at Roy Thompson Hall by hundreds of musicians from the garrison. At the same concert Master Corporal Marcel Sekine performs on the massive pipe organ.
November 8 – Regimental Museum holds 3rd Annual QOR Day at Casa Loma.
November 8 – QOR National Association approved new bylaws at their Annual General Meeting to conform with the new Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act
November ?? – Inaugural luncheon was held at Moss Park Armoury for Normandy Company (a group of community supporters) at which the Chief of Defense Staff, General Tom Lawson, was the guest speaker.
November – The unit conducted an airborne “Seize and Hold” of Mountain View Airport south of Belleville.
November ?? – Second Lieutenant Megan Hodge is appointed Director of Music
December 3 – Buffs Company marches out of Dalton Armoury for the last time when the lease was not renewed by the landlord.
December 10 – Mens’ Christmas Dinner held at Moss Park Armoury and various unit awards presented. The Association presented the “Rifleman of the Year” award to bugler Sergeant (Ret) George Walford, and the “Colonel Paul and Bev Hughes Award for Excellence” to Ben Turpin (Maritime Branch)
December 13 – Annual Officers’ Christmas Luncheon held in the Officers’ Mess at Moss Park Armoury.
December 18 – D-Day veteran Jack Martin received French Legion of Honour at Sunnybrook Hospital presented by M. Casabonne Masonnave, Consul General of France in Canada.
December 21 – French Legion of Honour awarded to Second World War veterans Jack Martin, Jack Hadley, Ernie Kells, Ted O’Halloran (posthumously), James Wilkins (posthumously), Edward Butler, Alec Greer, Alex Adair, Bill Ross, Roy Shaw.
January 1 – Regimental Hockey Team led by Team Captain Justin Wright, wins the inaugural Ranger Cup, beating the eight teams from 32 Brigade.
January 18 – QOR Association Vancouver Island Branch held their Annual General Meeting at the Langford, BC Legion.
February 26 – Regimental Museum holds 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition night at the Royal Canadian Military Institute – 2014 saw over 1,000 volunteer hours (excluding the curator).
February 26 – QOR D-Day Veteran Edward Butler, 91, was presented with the French Legion of Honor medal at a ceremony held at the Bowmanville Legion.
March 2 – Corporal Max Olszewski departs for Eastern Europe to serve in Operation Reassurance Land Task Force in Poland and Romania.
April 21 – The Regimental Museum launched the “QOR Portraits” exhibit consisting of 20 high-quality reproductions of the first Commanding Officers and Colonels in Chief.
April 25 – Regiment holds parade at Moss Park Armoury to commemorate its 155th Anniversary and dedicates new drums which now include the Afghanistan battle honour.
April 28 – Major Frank Lamey deployed to Iraq as part of Canadian Operation IMPACT as an embedded Officer with the 1st Infantry Division (US Army) and subsequently the 82nd Airborne Division (US Army). He serves as Deputy Chief Operations Officer at Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command, Iraq (CJFLCC-I)
May 28 – After more than 13 years in the post, Capt Adam Hermant, CD, has stepped down as president of the Regimental Trust. He is succeeded by Major Anthony Schultz, CD
May 28 – Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) John Fotheringham replaces Lieutenant Colonel (Ret’d) Rob Zeidler as Chair of the Regimental Museum Board of Governors.
June 3 – Unit stand down parade marches to QOR Legion Branch 344 where they are treated to a BBQ hosted by the Toronto Branch of the QOR Association.
June 6 – A morning memorial service was held at Moss Park Armoury, conducted by Regimental Padre Captain John Niles, CD and former Toronto Branch Association President CWO/RSM (ret’d) Brian Budden CD in remembrance of D-Day landings.
June 6 – D-Day veterans Jack Martin, Jack Hadley and Edward Butler were present for the City of Toronto’s D-Day commemoration ceremonies at City Hall.
June 26 – QOR Association held its 9th Annual Golf Tournament.
June 30 – Corporal Max Olszewski returns to Canada having been awarded the Task Force Commander’s Commendation for his work as a translator during Exercise Mountain Warrior while serving with Operation Reassurance Land Task Force in Eastern Europe.
August 7-9 – QOR Association Maritime Branch commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Queen’s Own Rifles landing in Newfoundland for their first “overseas” posting of WWII. Many other Association members and a contingent of serving soldiers also attended.
October 3 – Lionel Goffart succeeds Brendan Caldwell as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel.
November 1 – Major Frank Lamey returns from deployment Deputy Chief of Operations at Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command, Iraq (CJFLCC-I). He was awarded the General Campaign Star, Expedition – Iraq and the United States Bronze Star Medal.
November 7 – Regimental Museum holds 4th QOR Day at Casa Loma with over 80 volunteers and serving soldiers participating. Also officially opens new “1945 to Present” exhibit room.
November 8 – Regiment holds Remembrance Day Church Parade to St Paul’s Anglican Church which includes the dedication of a plaque for Moss Park Armoury remembering those who died since WWII.
December 12 – Bi-annual meeting of the Regimental Trust Fund, Officers’ Christmas Luncheon and Regimental Senate meeting held.
2016
January 20 – Soldiers from the Battalion take photo with a flag signed by the Battalion for D-Day Veteran Jack Hadleys 94th Birthday.
February – Conducted Exercise Pegasus Frost II in CFB Borden which included recce patrols and platoon deliberate attacks in a cold weather environment.
February 22 – Military funeral held at Moss Park Armoury for former Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Scott Patterson, CD.
March 12 – Master Corporal Katherine Jessome becomes the first women in the Canadian Forces to qualify as a Jumpmaster. Jessome was only the third female QOR infanteer to earn her jump wings.
March – Basic Mountain Operations course run by QOR for 32 Brigade with final exercise held during Exercise Pegasus Strike IV 18-29 March.
May – Exercise Quick Rig I was one day ex held at CFB Trenton which had unit jumpers deploy to Trenton, rig equipment, and conduct a full-equipment drop onto Drop Zone Hodgson.
May – Section of paratroopers went to Petawawa to participate on airmobile Exercise Viking Talon.
May – D-Day veteran Jack Martin dies at the age of 92.
June 4 – The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (13th Battalion) celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Ridgeway. Starting off by a military parade through the town of Ridgeway which granted both Regiments the freedom of the city, and then continued to the battlefield where a ceremony was conducted. With the ceremony Sgt Adam Winnicki performed a freefall parachute jump to start the ceremony off as well as a Community day at Ridgeway community centre. The QOR of C Museum brought numerous items to display at the community day. The items on display were; Ensign McEachren’s tunic, Rfn Mewburn’s 3 bander rifle, Spencer repeater rifle, Pring statuette, bullet and pouch.
June 11 – QOR of C Contingent (with 3 RCR and 3 VP) travelled to CFB Borden for the re-dedication of DZ Gorvad which consisted of a parachute descent from a Canadian Chinook helicopter and a cairn dedication ceremony.
June 18-19 – QOR Parachute Company held Exercise Pegasus Knight I, its annual Parachute refresher at CFB Trenton. Three parachute decents were conducted as well as a thorough parachute refreshers on all skills.
August 6-7: QOR Parachute Company conducted Exercise Quick Rig II out of CFB Trenton conducting three parachute decents onto DZ Hodgson.
Late August – For two weeks participated in Exercise Stalwart Guardian integrated within 3 RCR.
September 9-18: Exercise Ready Rifleman, 11 Rifleman from the Regiment traveled to England to partake in an exchange with 7th Battalion The Rifles. This is the first time a QOR of C contingent has visited our Allied Regiment The Rifles. The contingent consisted of Captain Llewellyn-Thomas, Warrant Officer Murray, Master Corporal Humphrey, Master Corporal Leung, Corporal Williamson, Corporal Radewych, Corporal Danek, Corporal Strack, Corporal Baruwa, Rifleman Catenacci, and Rifleman Pelz.
September – Exercise Maroon Sword held in mid-September at CFB Borden.
September – Paratroopers from Para Company participated in static-line parachute phase of Exercise Bullseye, a 346 Squadron training exercise with the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.
October 26 – Change of Honorary Colonel parade from Colonel Larry Stevenson to Major General Walter Holmes MBE, MSM, CD
October – Exercise Maroon Frost II held.
October 29 – Exercise Quick Rig III held at CFB Trenton to support the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.
5 November – The Regimental Museum holds their fifth “QOR Day at Casa Loma” which has over 1,000 visitors.
17-21 November – 32 Brigade’s team (composed of all QOR except one) for the Canadian Patrol Competition, placed third with all members completing the patrol – the first time a primary reserve unit had placed since 2013.
November 21 – 30 paratroopers participated in Exercise Topham in California with the US Army 426th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), which included foreign parachute familiarization training. 436 Squadron provided a CC-130J in support of the exercise.
November – Exercise Maroon Sword III held at 4th Division Training Camp Meaford consisting of live fire section and platoon attacks.
December? – Exercise Pegasus Knight II was a full equipment drop staged out of Oshawa Municipal Airport.
2017
January – February – The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada held a Basic Winter Warfare Course to qualify new and old Rifleman who did not have the qualification. Two Field Exercises were held one on January 20-22 in CFB Meaford and the second on February 10-12 in CFB Borden.
February 26th – The Band and Bugles of the Regiment held their annual concert at Metropolitan United Church with great attendance.
April 5 – Regiment awarded Freedom of the City of Bernières-sur-mer, France.
April 7 – Regiment awarded Freedom of the City of Anisy, France and dedicated new road to Rfn Lawson who was killed in the town on June 6th 1944.
April 8 – Regimental contingent lays wreath at the Menin Gate.
April 9 – Regimental contingent attends 100th Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
April 17 – Then Major Frank D. Lamie is awarded the United States Army Bronze Star Medal for his work as Deputy Chief of Operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve from 1 May 2015 to 25 October 2015.
April 26 – During a parade for the Regiment’s 157th Anniversary, a Departure with Dignity ceremony was held for Master Warrant Officer Cecil Paris who was retiring after 33 years of service.
May 5 – Sergeants held a Mess Dinner to “dine out” the outgoing RSM.
May 6 – A parade was held at Moss Park Armory for the change of Regimental Sergeant Major from CWO Paul Martin, CD to CWO Donovan O’Halloran, CD.
June 2 – Canada Gazette records awarding of Member of the Order of Military Merit (MMM) to WO Adam de Bartok. He is presented with the order at 10 November 2017 at Rideau Hall by Governor General Julie Payette.
June 17 – The Regiments Parachute Company held its annual Parachute Refresher in Trenton. 42 Jumpers from the Regiment and across the Brigade partook in the training as well as successfully conducting 2 parachute descents onto DZ Hodgson.
July 13 – Eleven members of the Regiment travel to Europe to participate in the 160 km 4-day Nijmegen March.
September 23 – Change of Command parade held at Moss Park Armoury from Lieutenant Colonel Sandi Banerjee, CD to Lieutenant Colonel Frank D. Lamie, CD.
November 4th – Museum’s Open House 2017 was held at Casa Loma.
November 5th – Regimental Church Parade was held rain or shine the parade went on!
December 6th – Annual Rifleman’s Dinner held at Moss Park Armouries.
2018
February 16-18th – The Regiment conducted Exercise MAROON FROST 1 which had a parachute decent and a defensive of a bridge in CFB Borden as well as concurrently the Regiments Basic Winter Warfare Course.
March 19th – The Regiment lost a dear friend Rfn John (Jack) Hadley he was 96 years old. John Hadley was a Rifleman in the Regiment during the Second World War taking part in the D-Day landings with Baker Company first wave on June 6th 1944. Below is his Biography that he wrote with his Daughter Linda. We will remember him.
March 22-25th – The Regiment conducted Exercise MAROON SWORD 4 which consisted of an austere rappel insert into CFB Meaford with an attack on the Urban Ops Village. This was also in-support of the Regiments conducted Basic Mountain Operations Course which had members of the entire Brigade.
March 23rd – The Regiment and museum lost a dear from Captain (Retired) Larry Hicks.
April 21st – The Regiment conducted Exercise Quick Rig 1 which consisted of a parachute decents into CFD Mountainview.
May 26-27th – The Territorial Training Group which consists of the Queen’s Own, Royal Regiment of Canada, and the Lincoln and Welland Regiment conducted Exercise Ready Rifleman 1 in CFB Petawawa which had Ranges, and Stand training for Nav, C4, and CRBN.
June 4th – Annual Sergeants Dinner was held at Moss Park Armouries
June 6th – Stand Down Parade held a March and re dedication of Bugle Major Charlie Smith‘s new headstone and then a BBQ at Moss Park Armouries.
June 16-17th – The Parachute Company of the Regiment, with select jumpers from other Regiments in the Division, conducted Exercise Pegasus Knight 1 in CFB Trenton which had a full Parachute Refresher and multiple Parachute descents onto DZ Hodgson in CFD Mountainview.
July 17-20th – Major Scott Moody conducted the Nijnmegen March again for his 4th time this time as DCO of the Canadian Contingent.
August 24-31st – Exercise Steadfast Warrior was held in CFB Borden and CFB Meaford. This exercises consisted of Airborne and Airmobile operations.
September 28-30 – Exercise Pegasus Strike 1 held in CFB Borden.
October 19-21 – Exercise Pegasus Strike 2 held in CFB Borden.
October 29th – Basic Parachutist course completed jointly run with 3rd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment with the Regiment gaining eight new Airborne Rifleman.
November 9th – Regimental Armistice Dinner held at Casa Loma. Photos from the Regimental Armistice dinner
November 11th – Regiment church parade conducted with the unveiling of our First World War fallen memorial wall. Photos from Regimental Church parade
November 13th – Chief Warrant Officer Mark Shannon, MMM, CD former Regimental Sergeant Major of the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada (2011-2014) has been invested as a Member within the Order of Military Merit. Founded on July 1, 1972 the Order of Military Merit recognizes distinctive merit and exceptional service displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces, both Regular and Reserve. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Order’s Sovereign, the governor general is its Chancellor and a Commander, and the chief of the Defence Staff is its Principal Commander.
November 24th – Major Sam Leibel received the Canadian Joint Operations Centre (CJOC) commendation for his work as the Chief of Staff Coordinator when deployed with Joint Task Force Iraq.
November 23-25 – Exercise Pegasus Strike 3 was conducted in CFB Borden with a parachute decent as well as Air Mobile operations to occupy a defensive position.
December 5th – Regimental Christmas Dinner was held at Moss Park Armouries.
December 8th – Officers Mess Luncheon was held in the Officers mess at Moss Park Armouries.
January 25-27th – The Regiment participated in Ice Raptor 1 held in CFB Burwash.
February 3rd – Regimental band concert held at Metropolitan United Church
February 16-18th – Ex Maroon Frost 2 CFB Borden
March 18 – Ex Quick Rig 1 CFB Trenton Para Insert onto DZ Hodgson
March 23-25 – Ex Maroon Sword 4 CFB Meaford Rappel Insert, BMO FTX and Urban Defensive
April 21 – Ex Quick Rig 1 CFB Trenton Para Insert onto DZ Hodgson
May 26-27 – Ex Ready Rifleman 2 – CFB Petawawa – IBTS and Parachute Insert
June 16-17 – Ex Pegasus Knight 1 CFB Trenton Parachute Refresher and Para Indoc Training.
Aug 24-31 – Ex Steadfast Warrior – CFB Borden/Meaford 32 CBG Exercise, Level 3 defensive
Sept 22-23 – Ex Mountain Leader – Rattlesnake Point – Basic Mountain Operations Refresher weekend.
Sept 28-30 – Ex Pegasus Strike 1 – CFB Borden – Nav/Patrol Ex, Level 2 and MG Live Fire
Oct 19-21 Ex Pegasus Strike 2 – CFB Borden – Fighting Patrols, Recce Patrols, Defensive Ops, Para Descent onto DZ Gorvad
Nov 9 – Regimental Armistice Dinner – Casa Loma
Nov 10 – Museum Open House
Nov 11 – Church Parade
Nov 23-24 Ex Pegasus Strike 3 – CFB Petawawa – Urban Defensive Ops, Para Descent
Dec 5 – Soldier’s Christmas Dinner – MPA
Dec 9 – Ex Pegasus Knight 2 – CFB Trenton – Para Indoc and Full Para Refresher
Dec 14 – Kid’s Hospital Visit – North York General Hospital visit and distributing toys.
2019
Jan 26-27 Ex Ice Raptor 1 – CFB Burwash – Defensive Ops, Basic Winter Warfare
Feb 08-10 Ex Ice Raptor 2 – CFB Burwash – Defensive Ops, Basic Winter Warfare.
Feb to Jul – Sergeant Gordon Brown served as a Financial Services Administrator with the Canadian Training Assistance Team (CTAT-L) in Lebanon as a part of OPERATION IMPACT .
Mar 9-17 – Steadfast Shooter – Fort Drum, NY 32 Brigade level trg
Mar 31 – Ex Quick Rig 3 – CFB Trenton Para Decent onto DZ Hodgson
Apr 12-14 – CFD Winona – IBTS Trg
Apr 26-28 – CFD Winona – IBTS Trg
Jun 1-9 – 75th Anniversary of D-Day Trip to Normandy
Aug 2-3 – Glengarry Highland Games
Aug 10 – Ex Quick Rig 1 – Para Decent onto DZ Hodgson
Sept 4 – Battalion Stand To
September 11 – Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Vicky Sunohara succeeded Honoary Lieutenant Colonel Lionel J. Goffart, QC, OStJ
September 12-15 – Master Corporals Katherine Jessome and Abu Baruwa, Corporals Chase Somerville and Thomas Tanaka, Rifleman Greg Kalogerakis, and coach – Master Warrant Officer Jeff Johnston, competed in the ZDRZALKA paratrooper competition in Krakow, Poland. Despite the short notice with little time for training, the QOR team were able to earn their Polish wings, and complete each stage of competition coming in 12th place overall.
Sept 26 – Oct 12th – Ex Iberian Star – A section of QOR participated in the multi-national Exercise Iberian Star in Spain with 7 Rifles, one of our Allied Regiments.
Oct 19-20 – Ex Mountain Leader 19 – Basic Mountain Ops Refresher.
Oct 25-27 – Ex Maroon Phalanx 2 – CFB Petawawa – Plt Level Focus, Def Live-Fire- with Withdrawal.
Oct 27 – Master Corporal Mark Kusi-Appiah passed his Patrol Pathfinder course becoming only the second member of the Regiment to pass the grueling course. See here for his article
Nov 9 – QOR Museum Open House
Nov 10 – Church Parade
Nov 22-24 – Ex Maroon Phalanx 3 – CFB Petawawa – Plt/Coy Level focus, Def Live Fire, Airborne/airmobile.
Dec 4 – Soldier’s Christmas dinner. Awards Presented at the dinner included:
- RSM Harry Fox/British Airborne Forces Association for top Corporal – Corporal Do
-
Airborne Rifleman of the Year – Master Corporal Kusi-Appiah
-
Reg Walker 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Award for top Master Corporal – Master Corporal Catenacci
-
CSM Charlie Martin Award for top Sergeant or Warrant Officer – Sergeant Hood
-
Colonel Elliot Dalton Award for top Junior Officer – Lieutenant Beaupre
-
Silver Bugle Award for Top Musician – Rifleman Savage
-
The Sgt Dave Kennan Jump Hog Award – Master Corporal Jessome
-
Humanitarian Award – Mairead Currie (WO Currie’s spouse for her support to our Children’s Party)
-
Fitness Award – Corporal Dunbar
-
Corporal Sonatin received the US Army Achievement Medal for his service in Iraq
- to Master Corporal – MCpl Patoine
- to Sergeant – Sgt Wolfe and Sgt Johnston
- to Warrant Officer – WO Currie
- to Master Warrant Officer – MWO Leader
- to 2nd Lieutenant – 2Lt Filatow, 2Lt Kerr, 2Lt Bunch
- to Lieutenant – Lt Langille and Merithew
- to Captain – Capt Beaupre
Dec 8 – Exercise Quick Rig
Dec 8 – Annual Children’s party was held in the Officers Mess at Moss Park Armouries
Regimental photo at the Holiday Dinner – Regimental Photo
Dec 13 – Members of the Regiment visited North York General hospital and visited the Childrens wing to deliver toys and holiday cheer.
-
Members of the Regiment at North York General Hospital – Regimental Photo - Dec 28 – QOR Hockey Team played in Ranger Cup Hockey Tournament against other teams from 32 CBG. The team was coached by our Honourary LCol Vicky Sunohara who is Women’s Hockey Coach at University of Toronto and a Team Canada multiple Gold Medal Olympian. Commanding Officer LCol Frank Lamie and RSM Donovan O’Halloran also played. We lost in the finals to our good friends at the Lorne Scots. Congratulations to Riflemen Damien Heinle for winning the skills competition.
-
Regimental Hockey team – Regimental Photo - Timelines:
- Timeline: 1856-1899
- Timeline: 1900-1924
- Timeline: 1925-1949
- Timeline: 1950-1974
- Timeline: 1975-1999
- Timeline: 2000-2019
- Timeline: 2020-2039
- Timeline: Uniforms
- Timeline: Weapons
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 
The RHLI CO in the photo at Ridgeway is LCol J.P. Hoekstra
LikeLike