On the evening of Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Chris Boileau, CD, the Regimental Sergeant Major, Chief Warrant Officer Justin Thorn, CD, three skirmishers, a nine-person guard under the command of Sergeant Allan Kiss, and a drummer and bugler participated in the dedication of four new markers for Queen’s Own Rifle’s soldiers whose deaths were attributed to their service at the Battle of Ridgeway.
Also in attendance were Museum Director Major John Stephens, CD (Ret’d) and Curator CWO Shaun Kelly, CD (Ret’d) who had assisted with research on these soldiers.
The four soldiers were:
- Rifleman John Connor – February 1867 (Necropolis)
- Corporal Thomas Eman Lockie – 19 October 1867 (Necropolis)
- Rifleman A. Reed – 24 February 1867 (St James Cemetery)
- Corporal John Robins – 25 February 1867 (Necropolis)
Each of these soldiers died of disease within a year and a half of the Battle of Ridgeway and their deaths were all attributed to their service on June 2nd, 1866.
In 2010 markers had been placed on the graves of the “Ridgeway Nine” (those killed in action or died of wounds) and it was felt that these additional soldiers should receive similar recognition. The QOR Trust Fund’s Memorials Chair, Lieutenant Colonel John Fotheringham, CD, worked with the cemeteries and our monument maker to create and install these markers over the past few years.
It was finally time to formally dedicate these new markers and remember our fallen during the week of the Regiment’s 164th Anniversary.
Each brief ceremony included a short biography of the soldier read by the RSM, the Last Post and Rouse by the Bugler and Drummer, the Act of Remembrance by Sgt Kiss, the placing of a QOR “desk” flag in front of the marker, and finally two of the guard members placing their poppies on the marker.
Your donation to The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund directly or via the 1860 Club, funded this project.
Photos by Alex Brintnell.
The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Regimental Museum and Archive 