Queen's Medal for Champion Shot


The Queen's Medal for Champion Shot is a Canadian medal instituted on 28 August 1991 to honour one member each of the Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force and either the CF Reserve Force or the Royal Canadian Mounted Police who obtained the highest aggregate score in stages one and two of the Queen's Medal Competition. It replaced its British counterpart, the Queen's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces, after 1992. In respect of the Canadian Regular Force, the British medal could only be won by Army members, whereas the Canadian medal can be won by members of the Canadian Forces.

History

The Medal for the Best Shot in the British Army, Infantry, was instituted by Queen Victoria in 1869 and awarded from 1870 to 1882 to the best shot of the annual army shooting competition. In 1923, the medal was re-introduced by King George V and designated the King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces. It could then be awarded to the champions of army marksmanship competitions, held under battle conditions, at annual central meetings in the United Kingdom, the British Dominions, Colonies, and India.
The first King's Medal competition in Canada was held for the Canadian Regular Force in 1923 and one King's Medal for Champion Shots in the Military Forces was awarded annually from that year. Beginning in 1963, two medals were awarded in Canada annually, the second to a member of either the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the Canadian Reserve Force. A distinct Canadian version of the medal, the Queen's Medal for Champion Shot, was instituted in 1991 and the British version of the medal ceased to be awarded in Canada the following year.
Uniquely, it is the only medal in the long list of Canadian honours and awards that is won in open competition; all other honours are either awarded or earned.

Design

The medal was designed by Bruce W. Beatty, taking the form of a diameter disk with a raised edge. On the obverse is a crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II circumscribed by the Latin words ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA • CANADA, symbolizing her roles as both fount of honour and Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces.
The reverse shows the winged mythological goddess Pheme, with a trumpet in her left hand and rising from her throne to crown a warrior with a laurel wreath. At left is the naked and cloaked warrior, with his left foot on the throne dais, a bow and a quiver of arrows in his right hand and supporting a target with three arrows through its centre on his left knee. The design, by Sir Edward John Poynter, was first used on the reverse of the 1869 Medal for the Best Shot in the British Army, Infantry.
Prior to 2002, the medal was joined to a straight suspender by a single-toe claw. After that date, the medal is suspended from a straight slotted bar with a fleur de lis decoration. The medal is worn at the left chest, suspended on a 32 millimetres wide ribbon coloured with a central vertical band in dark crimson, bordered on both sides with 9 millimetres wide black bands, each with a 3 millimetres wide beige band in the middle. The date the award was won is marked on a silver bar worn on the ribbon. The medal can be won multiple times, with each subsequent award indicated by an additional bar displaying the year in which it was won. Since 2002, the bars have been sewn centred onto the ribbon, whereas, before 2002, they were riveted to the medal's suspension, in roller chain fashion. When medals are not worn, the award of second and subsequent clasps are denoted by silver rosettes on the ribbon bar. As no more than four rosettes can fit onto a ribbon bar, for those who have won the award more than five times, gold rosettes were introduced.

Eligibility and receipt

From 1924 to 1991, the eligibility for the Queen's Medal included various combinations of regular, reserve and Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
For example, from 1963, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police competed against the Canadian Army and from 1968 the Canadian Forces.
From 1954 to 1967, the Royal Canadian Air Force had its own Queen's Medal.
YearRankName or InitialsSurnameCategory of awardRegiment or CorpsRemarks
1924CorporalW. J.LivingstoneRegular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1925LieutenantDesmond Thomas BurkeRegular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1926CorporalW. J.LivingstoneRegular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1927LieutenantDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1928MajorJohnJeffrey Regular ForcesRoyal Canadian Regiment
1929LieutenantDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1930LieutenantDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1931LieutenantDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1932CaptainJames William HouldenRegular ForcesThe Sherbrooke Regiment
1933LieutenantAllan BensonCoulter Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1934CaptainJames WilliamHoulden Regular ForcesThe Sherbrooke Regiment
1935SergeantThomas WilliamGregoryRegular Forces7th BN CMG CorpsThe 1938 competition was won by LAC T. W. Gregory who had previously won the medal in 1935 as a member of the Regular Army. He was, however, ineligible to win the medal as he was a member of the RCAF. He later went on to win the RCAF medal in 1955.
1936Lance CorporalC.RobinsRegular ForcesPrincess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
1937LieutenantGeorge AlastairMoleceyRegular ForcesCanadian Irish Fusiliers
1938PrivateF.WallaceRegular Forces48 Highlanders of CanadaThe 1938 competition was won by LAC T. W. Gregory who had previously won the medal in 1935 as a member of the Regular Army. He was, however, ineligible to win the medal as he was a member of the RCAF. He later went on to win the RCAF medal in 1955.
1939CaptainDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesThe Governor General's Foot Guards
1940Not Contested-
1941Not Contested-
1942Not Contested-
1943Not Contested-
1944Not Contested-
1945Not Contested-
1946Not Contested-
1947MajorDesmond ThomasBurke Regular ForcesRCAMC
1948LieutenantR. F. P.FendickRegular ForcesRCEME, RCOC
1949Officer CadetGilmour S.BoaRegular Forces48th Highlanders of Canada
1950LieutenantGilmour S.Boa Regular Forces48th Highlanders of Canada
1951LieutenantGilmour S.Boa Regular Forces48th Highlanders of Canada
1952Lieutenant-ColonelStephen F. Johnson O.B.E., E.D.Regular Forces14th Armoured Regiment
1953LieutenantA. H.McKeageCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCanadian Grenadier Guards
1954CaptainD. C.LawfordCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Canadian Signals Regiment
1954Flight SergeantJ. V. P.Martin CDRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 502. First year of a medal specifically for RCAF.
19552nd LieutenantEdson LymanWarnerCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Sherbrooke Regiment
1955Flight SergeantThomas WilliamGregory CD*Royal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 415
1956SergeantJ. R.HardyCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRCEME
1956CorporalS.GoddardRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 14-Sep-56
1957LieutenantA. S.DerrickCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRCSME, RCE
1957Leading AircraftmanDavid AnthonyGreenRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 57
1958Staff-SergeantLeslie AlfredWhite Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian School of Infantry, PPCLI
1958Leading AircraftmanGeorge EzraSannachanRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 108
1959CaptainJohn. J.Barrett CDCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceArmy Headquarters, Royal Canadian Regiment
1959Flight SergeantRobert HerbertCunnington CDRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 161
1960WOIIC. F.Rowell C.D.Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRCS of I, Regiment of Canadian Guards
1960Flight SergeantJames WilliamBrown CDRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 213
1961PrivateJ. WilliamMatthewsCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PolicePPCLI179/200
1961CorporalA. F.O'BrienRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 265
1962LieutenantD. K.LidgrenCanadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRCS of I, PPCLI
1962CorporalA. F.O'Brien Royal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 318
1963SergeantJoseph Eloi Daigle Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal 22e Régiment
1963Lance SergeantT. A. P. RichardsonCanadian Army and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceVictoria Rifles of Canada
1963Flying OfficerO. JohnRuckpaulRoyal Canadian Air ForceRCAF Station CentraliaRCAF Routine Order 36/63
1964LieutenantWilliam J. MolnarCanadian Army The Black Watch
1964Staff SergeantClément Tremblay CDCanadian Army and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceLes Voltigeurs de Quebec
1964Leading AircraftmanCharles Ronald EdgaleyWesleyRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 36/64
1965SergeantRalph E.BennettCanadian Army RCE
1965SergeantG. C.CampbellCanadian Army and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Westminster Regiment
1965CorporalHarrison RossPeters CDRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownRCAF Routine Order 41/65
1966SergeantJoseph EloiDaigle Canadian Army 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1966PrivateRobert Douglas ClerkCanadian Army and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Montreal Regiment
1966Flight LieutenantO. JohnRuckpaul Royal Canadian Air ForceCFB Cold Lakeunknown
1967CorporalK. A.FlemingCanadian Army RCOC
1967Staff SergeantLarryFishCanadian Army and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceCanadian Lorne Scots Regiment
1967Flight LieutenantM. D.Phoenix CDRoyal Canadian Air ForceunknownLast year of a medal specifically for RCAF.
1968CorporalLavalMercierCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1968MajorEdson LymanWarner CD Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Sherbrooke Hussarssee 1955
1969MWOLeslie AlfredWhite Canadian Forces Canadian Airborne Regiment
1969MajorEdson LymanWarner CD Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Sherbrooke Hussars
1970SergeantJoseph EloiDaigle Canadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1970SergeantGordon Wilfred BlackCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted Police "A" Division
1971Master CorporalJoseph RudolphHennick CDCanadian Forces 1 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment681
1971MajorEdson LymanWarner CD Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Sherbrooke Hussars
1972Warrant OfficerL. G.GlibberyCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment
1972MajorEdson LymanWarner CD Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Sherbrooke Hussars
1973SergeantRosario L'HeureuxCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1973LieutenantWilliam Kedziora Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Hamilton Light Infantry
1974SergeantLavalMercier Canadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1974Staff SergeantGordon WilfredBlack Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Canadian Mounted Police "A" Division
1975SergeantLavalMercier Canadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1975Warrant OfficerG. N.SenetchkoCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceQueen's Own Rifles of Canada
1976Regular ForcesNo competition due to Olympic Games-
1976LieutenantRichardSavinskiCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceLe Regiment du SaguenayNo explanation on why only a Reserve Force competition was held.
1977SergeantE. J.LuscombeCanadian Forces 3 Bn PPCLI
1977CaptainK. K.NicholsonCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Elgin Regiment
1978CorporalHenry McKayCanadian Forces 2 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment
1978CorporalDavid D.OakieCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Montreal Regiment
1979Master CorporalAntony. M.CromwellCanadian Forces Canadian Airborne Regiment
1979CorporalDavid D.Oakie Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceThe Loyal Edmonton Regiment
1980SergeantHector B.McLellanCanadian Forces Canadian Airborne Regiment
1980LieutenantKenneth E. FergusonCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
1981Warrant OfficerJoseph Ronald Alfred SuretteCanadian Forces 2 Bn The Royal Canadian Regiment
1981LieutenantKenneth E.Ferguson Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
1982Master CorporalDaniel L. V.DemeuseCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1982LieutenantM. RossWilliamsCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceQueen's Own Rifles of Canada
1983Warrant OfficerJoseph Ronald AlfredSurette Canadian Forces 2 Bn The Royal Canadian Regiment
1983LieutenantM. RossWilliams Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceQueen's Own Rifles of Canada
1984Warrant OfficerJoseph Ronald AlfredSurette Canadian Forces 2 Bn The Royal Canadian Regiment
1984LieutenantKenneth E.Ferguson Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
1985Warrant OfficerJoseph Ronald AlfredSurette Canadian Forces 2 Bn The Royal Canadian Regiment
1985LieutenantKenneth E.Ferguson Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
1986Warrant OfficerJoseph Rino Levesque MMM CDCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1986SergeantGeorge JosephWestCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal Hamilton Light Infantry
1987Warrant OfficerJoseph RinoLevesque MMM CDCanadian Forces 3 Bn, Royal 22e RégimentLast Year with FN C1A1 rifle
1988CaptainSteveTibbettsCanadian Forces 2 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment1st Year with C7 rifle
1988PrivateShannon M.WillsCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police12 Service Battalion1st Year with C7 rifle. Private Wills was the first woman in history to win the Queen's Medal.
1989SergeantStephen G.Hitchcock CDCanadian Forces 3rd Bn PPCLI686/755
1989Warrant OfficerJoseph Ronald Alfred Surette Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceRoyal New Brunswick RegimentWO Surette had 5 previous Queen's Medals in the Regular Force
1990Master CorporalWallace ToddSmithCanadian Forces 2 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment
1990LieutenantKenneth E.Ferguson Canadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted Police1st Battalion Nova Scotia Highlanders
1991Master CorporalFabian JamesSnowCanadian Forces 2 Bn, Royal Canadian Regiment
1991CorporalMartin E.PaquetteCanadian Forces and The Royal Canadian Mounted PoliceLes Fusiliers Mont-Royal

All medal contenders have to be current serving members of the Armed Forces or Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
Two medals are awarded annually, one to the member of the Canadian Regular Force and one to the member of either the Canadian Reserve Force or the RCMP who obtains the highest aggregate score in stages one and two of the Queen's Medal Competition.
On 28 August 1991 a new Canadian Queen's Medal was introduced to replace the British-style award, and was first awarded in the summer of 1992, with one medal for each of the Regular Forces and the Reserves.
YearRankInitialsSurnameRegular Force Unit or Formation
1992MCplF.J. Snow2 Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment
1993PteB.E.Walker1 PPCLI
1994CplC.G.ArevaloCanadian Airborne Regiment
1995CplJ.A.R.Bergeron1 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1996SgtM.Messier1 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1997SgtM.Messier 1 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1998SgtM.Messier CD 1 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
1999CplJ.R.M.Turcotte-Sorbonne3 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
2000CplS.Deschesnes CD1 Bn, Royal 22e Régiment
2001MCplM.R.Wood1 PPCLI
2002PteT.D.Vanderlinden2 Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment
2003-2006NILNILNILNo Regular Force Competition
2007SgtG.McKillopThe Royal Canadian Regiment
2008CplJ.GrondinEME branch, Land Forces Atlantic Area
2009PO 1st ClassM.D. Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School
2010PteT.Hiscock1 Bn, The Royal Canadian Regiment
2011CaptK. BarlingRCAF Aerospace Eng Support Sqd
2012CaptK. Barling RCAF Aerospace Eng Support Sqd
2013CaptK. Barling RCAF NORAD Colorado Springs
2014CplJ.C.Bolvin-Couillard2nd Canadian Division
2015CplD.J.R.Michaud2 Cdn Div
2016MajK.W. Barling RCAF
2017PteJ.C. Sobczak4 Cdn Div
2018LtB.P.J. Hordo2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School
2019CplS.Turpin5 Canadian Division Regular Force

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