Major
General Rockingham began his military career in 1935 as a lieutenant in the Canadian
Scottish Militia Regiment. During the Second World War he achieved the rank of
brigadier. On return to Canada he assumed command of the 6th Canadian
Pacific Force. When the Japanese surrendered he retired from the Regular Force
and accepted a Reserve Force appointment as Commander 15th Canadian
Infantry Brigade.
In August 1950, The Minister
of National Defence recalled "Rocky" from civilian life to organize
and train the 5,000-man Canadian Army Special Force to serve in Korea. He commanded
the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade from 9 August 1950 to 27 April 1952.
When he returned to Canada he served at National Defence Headquarters, then in
1953 appointed Commander, 3rd Infantry Brigade and in 1954 Commander, 1st
Canadian Infantry Division. In 1957 he served as General Officer Commanding Quebec
Command and in 1961, GOC Western Command.
General
Rockingham died on 16 July 1987. The Heritage Unit bears his name as a memorial
to his memory.
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The
Heritage Unit was founded by men of vision. In the years ahead when more and more
"active" units disband, Korea veterans will turn to the Heritage Unit
for information of common interest. The Heritage Unit will help to perpetuate
the historical role of Canadians in the Korean War long after KVA as we know it
now, ceases to exist.
Over 600 Korea
veterans have paid the $45 one-time fee for lifetime membership in the Heritage
Unit since its inception. The majority are also members of active KVA units. The
balance of the membership is comprised of members who belonged to regular KVA
units which have now disbanded; members who do not have an active unit in their
area and members who do, but who do not wish to participate (such as shut-ins).
Under
ordinary circumstances a member of the Heritage Unit is expected to belong to
a regular unit of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada if there is a unit
within reasonable commuting distance from the member’s home.
Each
member receives a permanent lifetime membership card indicating that he served
with United Nations Forces in Korea, an attractive membership certificate suitable
for framing and an annual newsletter. Yearly nominal rolls are also published.
Click
here for Heritage Unit Lifetime
Membership Application (MS word)
Click
here for The
Heritage Unit Life Membership application /
PDF
File
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software to view or print the application. To download this software for FREE,
click
here. Once you have downloaded the software, return to this page and make
your selection from the following.