Major General John M. Rockingham CD CDE DSO ED CD
1911 - Born - Sydney, Australia
1933 - Joined Canadian Scottish Regiment. as a Private
1940 - Overseas to England
1942 - Rank - Major he transferred to Royal Hamilton Light Infantry
1943 - Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed Commanding Officer of Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, landing in Normandy in June 1944
1944 - August - Promoted to Brigadier and commanded 9 Canadian Infantry Brigade until the end of the conflict in Europe. 1945 - After V.E .Day he was transferred to command 2nd Brigade in Pacific Force
1947 - 1950 - Served as Militia Brigade Commander of 15 Infantry Brigade in Vancouver. (1946 - 1950) - He took his discharge and was employed as an executive of a West Coast Utilities Firm.
1950 - Decision of Canadian Army to find a leader who would be a veteran from civilian life to command Canadian Infantry Brigade to Korea. Aug. 7th C.G.S phoned Brigadier Rockingham and needed a decision in 24 hrs.
1950 - August 8 - Brigadier "accepted command of the Canadian 25th Infantry Brigade."
1950 - 1952 - Organized, trained and commanded 25th Inf. Brigade in Korea War
1953 - Posted to Imperial Defence College
1954 - Appointed to command 3rd Canadian Infantry Brigade With his promotion to Major General he took command of First Canadian Division, followed by service as GOC of Quebec command in 1958 and Western command in 1961
1966 - Major General Rockingham retired from the Army, but continued to serve his country as Honorary Colonel of the Canadian Scottish Regiment.
Awards & Decorations = Commander of the British Empire, Companion of the Bath, Distinguished Service Order & Bar, 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, Cdn. Vol. Ser. Medal (bar), War Medal (Mill), Korea War, Cdn. Vol. Ser. Korea, UN Korea, Efficiency Decoration, Canadian Forces Decoration, Order of Leopold (Officer), Belgian Croix de Guerre, Order of Merit (USA)
He also served as a member of Canadian Olympic Committee, counselor with Canadian West Foundation, Honorary Chairman of National Ski Team Fund, and a Director of Vancouver Island Colleges Foundation.
