Rockingham, John Meredith: my Army recollections (June 16, 1979)
An interview/narrative of John Meredith Rockingham's experiences during World War II and the Korean War. Major-General Rockingham, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. served with the Canadian Scottish Regiment and the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. Interview took place on June 16, 1979.
ABSTRACT: Maj.-Gen. John Meredith Rockingham, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. Canadian Scottish Regiment Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Rockingham_J_0183_01.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 1, interviewed by C. D. Main) Born on Aug. 24, 1911 in Sydney, Australia. Emigrated to Canada in 1930. Educated in Barbados and Australia. Employed by the B.C. Electric Co. Joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment (militia) and was soon commissioned. Captain of the Canadian Scottish rugby team. Prewar unit paraded on Monday and Thursday. Machine gun platoon. Prewar morale in the unit was high; a commission was considered a privilege. Officers required to learn highland dancing, originally taught by his future wife! The regimental mascot, Wallace I, the dog, was smuggled overseas in 1940. Prior to that Capt. Rockingham reverted to lieutenant to join the 1st Battalion moving overseas. Approached Glasgow with the pipe band playing on the bow of the troopship. Commanded the guard of honour for the King and Queen at Aldershot. Company commanders school; tactics, weapons. Promoted to major and company commander in the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. In 1943 became the commanding officer of the R.H.L.I. (45:00) Rockingham_J_0183_02.mp3 Sent to staff college. Shortly after D-Day he was removed from college and rejoined his unit in Normandy as C.O. In two weeks he was promoted to brigadier and in command of 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade (Aug. 1944). During his time as C.O. of the R.H.L.I. he put in a heavy attack toward Verrieres. Remained in command of the 9th Infantry Brigade until the end of the war. Discusses command structure, including tactics and logistics. Specialties of the 9th Brigade were river crossings and waterborne advances. Fought south to Falaise. Offers reasons for perceived delays in closing the Falaise Gap. Opinion of Montgomery. Captured the port of Boulogne after skilful use of Royal Air Force bombers. Personally believes that brigade commanders should be well forward in order to exercise better control. Considerable responsibility for casualties and often the commanding officer's fault if too heavy. A brigade commander plans the attack, knows the capabilities of his troops. Some unit commanders were cautious, some flamboyant; a unit always reflected the individual style. Normally three or four days required to position troops. Always believed in reinforcing success in battle. Surprise very important; night movement often necessary; possibility of enemy counterattacks. Awarded the D.S.O. at Verrieres and again at the crossing of the Rhine. (50:00) Rockingham_J_0183_03.mp3 (Reel 1, Side 2) Under command of 51st Highland Division (British) for the Rhine crossing. In Emden when the war ended. Impressed by the excellent morale of the German troops. Appointed to command an infantry brigade for the Pacific war. After the war he returned to the B.C. Electric Co. When the Korean War broke out he was in charge of Pacific Stage Lines. Asked to command the 25th Infantry Brigade in 1950. A completely independent command; sometimes had an abrasive time with the Americans. Brigade group lands in Korea. (23:00)
Interviewer: Main, Chris D.
Rank: Major-General. Medals and Honours: Companion of the Bath (CB); Order of the British Empire (CBE); Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Interviewee: Rockingham, John Meredith, b. 1911
- In Collection:
- 3 sound recordings (MP3)
- 40, 127
- 36.5, 127.75
- One original sound tape reel (ca. 143 min.) : 1 7/8 ips, 2 track, mono. ; 2 sound cassette copies : standard, mono. in Special Collections.
- Canadian Military Oral History Collection
- RJM_183
- Special Collections Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/reginald-herbert-roy-fonds
- April 28, 2009
- Digital sound recording in .wav format at 16 bits and 44 kHz. In .mp3 format at 56 kbps and 32 kHz. Digitized by KG, technical and cataloguing metadata provided by JF and JP. Transferred from audio reel to audio cassette between 1987-1997. Interview migrated to digital format for UVic Special Collections in 2009. Migration metadata by KD and MT.
- Rights
- This interview has been posted with the understanding that it may be used for research purposes only. Should the interviewee or their heirs have any objections to this interview being accessible on the Internet, it will be removed promptly. Contact UVic Special Collections for permission if using for other than research purposes: speccoll@uvic.ca
- DOI
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