Click here to download the latest version of "The Powder Horn". (PDF)

In this issue:

• New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson is welcomed
• A collection of polished “Brass”
• Awards made at the annual Christmas Dinner
• Visit of the new Colonel-in-Chief a 2012 highlight
• LCol Frank PJ Mulrooney, CD, Ph.D. (1931-2012)

To view the full Powder Horn archive click here.

The regiment paraded on 28 November to say farewell to Honorary Colonel Paul F. Hughes CD and to welcome his replacement in the role, Colonel Lawrence N. (Larry) Stevenson. Colonel Hughes, who joined The Queen's Own as a rifleman in 1962, retired after serving as Honorary Lieutenant Colonel from 2001 to 2005 and Honorary Colonel from 2005 to the present. His valuable presence is not lost to the regiment however, since he has been named chairman of the Regimental Trust.

New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson graduated from Canada's Royal Military College in 1978 as the Cadet Wing Commander and Sword of Honour Graduate. Commissioned into 3rd Battalion, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Victoria BC, he served as a Platoon Commander and Recce Platoon Commander from 1978-80. Until 1982 Col Stevenson served with the Canadian Airborne Regiment in Petawawa. During his service he also served as an Instructor at both the Officer Candidate School in Chilliwack, BC and the Infantry School in Gagetown, NB. His regular force military career also includes two operational peacekeeping tours in Cyprus.

Managing Director of Callisto Capital since 2006, Col Stevenson's business career includes founding and serving as CEO of Chapters Inc. He led the buyout of SmithBooks and Coles in 1995 and created Chapters Inc., leading to dramatic changes in the Canadian book retailing business, and resulting in the company being named Innovative Retailer of the Year in 2000. After leading Chapters he was CEO of a multi-billion dollar U.S. publicly-traded company. Before Chapters he was the co-founder in 1989 of Bain & Company in Canada which he led from inception until 1993. Earning an MBA at Harvard, Col Stevenson was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate by RMC. Other accomplishments include being named one of Canada's "Top 40 under 40" in 1995 and Ontario's Entrepreneur of the Year in 1997.

OC 60th Coy, Capt Shawn Stewart CD, accompanies inspecting officer BGen Don Pryer CD.

Inspecting Officer BGen Don Pryer, CD, chats with Bandmaster Sgt Jonas Feldman. In the inspecting party, (l to r) are Commanding Officer LCol Peter St. Denis, MSC, CD, Honorary Colonel Paul F. Hughes, CD, and CWO/RSM Mark Shannon, CD. At left is Pioneer MCpl Steve Thomas, MB.

New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson is "drummed on" by Sgt John Missons.

The Honorary Colonel's sword is secured by Capt Adam West as former Honorary Colonel Paul Hughes stands by.

Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson addresses those in attendance at the parade.

At the signing of the official scroll are (l to r) Colonel Paul Hughes, CD, BGen Don Pryer, CD, LCol Peter St. Denis, MSC, CD and Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson.

As the 152nd year of its life draws to a close, The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada return to St. Paul's Anglican Church for divine services to mark Remembrance Day.

Worshipers attending The Remembrance Day Parade received a brochure prepared by the Regimental Trust providing information about the regiment.

Click here to view the Remembrance Day 2012 Brochure (.PDF)

New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson salutes as Commanding Officer LCol Peter St. Denis leads the regiment past the saluting base at St. Paul's Anglican Church.

Regimental Band and Bugles led by Bugle Major Fred Haire CD with new Bandmaster Sgt Jonas Feldman at left

Regiment led by LCol Peter St. Denis, MSC, CD and CWO/RSM Mark Shannon CD

Skirmisher Cpl Darnel Leader stands vigil at the Cross of Sacrifice

Part of the large crowd in attendance at the wreath laying cereomony

New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson CD lays a wreath on behalf of the regiment

Joanne de Vries prepares to lay a wreath on behalf of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion Association

Skirmishers stand vigil at the Cross of Sacrifice following the laying of wreaths

St. Paul's is filled for the Remembrance Day service

Three generations on parade. Joe Atcheson 5, brother John 6, grandmother Anne Woodward and mother, Jennifer Atcheson were among those who were at the Cross of Sacrifice to hear Last Post and Reveille

President Dave Lavery leads the Toronto Branch Association memb ers and Queen's Own Rifles 2118 Cadets past the saluting base

New Honorary Colonel Larry Stevenson, CD, gets a final uniform adjustment from Capt David Harmes, CD, prior to the wreath laying ceremonies at the church parade

Bandmaster Sgt Jonas Feldman leads the 30-member regimental band during one of the selections on the program of the annual Christmas concert held recently at Cody Hall, in St Paul's Anglican Church.

The brass section is on its feet during a rousing performance of a Glenn Miller favourite.

Please click here to download a copy of the print below (.PDF)

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund

To all Riflemen and Friends of the Regiment

As the year end approaches, may I ask all members of the regimental family to consider making a donation to The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund? It is most important for you to remember that donations made before 31 December 2012, can become an income tax deduction for you in 2013.

We have made it convenient and easy for you to donate by establishing a "Donate Now" button on the website at qor.com which can be used to forward funds to us for use in defraying the many expenses we undertake for the Regiment each year, all of which are supported through your Trust Fund and not through public funding. These include:

• Regimental dress uniforms, accoutrements and support for the Unit, The Regimental Band and Bugles;
• Lease costs and maintenance related to the Regimental Museum at Casa Loma;
• Maintenance of The Book of Remembrance, Cross of Sacrifice and other memorials;
• Support of the Regimental Headquarters;
• Preparation and distribution of Regimental publications including The Rifleman and the Powder Horn; and last but not least
• Writing and publication of an updated Regimental History.

We can appreciate that many of you are on fixed incomes and others may be facing financial challenges. We ask only that you give whatever you can afford. As a suggestion, you could leave a lasting gift to your Regiment, by establishing a legacy gift as a bequest in your Will.

Please make out your cheque made payable to:

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund.

[ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 [ ] $150 [ ] $200 [ ] $250 $______________

Mail to:

The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada Trust Fund
4981 Highway 7 East, Unit 12A
Markham, ON, L3R1N1

Thank you again for your support. It is genuinely appreciated.

Adam Hermant,
President

In Pace Paratus

"Standing on Guard Since 1860"

New Queen's Own Rifles museum curator John Stephens staged a successful "Ask a Soldier" day promotion at Casa Loma on 10 November. This is one of a number of promotional ideas the curator has to raise the profile of the museum and to increase attendance.

(Photos by Ian Calder)

A visitor to the event gets a once-over from Cpl Shahab Alam after being kitted out with loaded backpack and helmet.

A veteran of a variety of NATO and UN deployments, including Afghanistan, Maj Sandi Banerjee, CD, in desert combat uniform, chats with assistant museum curator CWO/RSM (ret) Shaun Kelly, CD.

Pioneer Jesse Behan found visitors were interested in testing the weight of his single-bladed axe.

A young visitor tests the mettle of a Skirmisher's sword.

"Where's that wood you wanted me to chop, Dad?"

WO Justin Thorn, CD, answers a potential recruit's questions.

Sgt George Walford (front row, extreme left) president of The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada's Bugler's Association, was in the chair as the group assembled in the Bugler's Mess at Moss Park Armoury and was re-elected to the position for the umpty-umpth time.

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"In Pace Paratus - In Peace Prepared"