Lieutenant-Colonel J.R. Kingham
Canadian Scottish Regiment

I must protest against the Canadian army being used in this way for movie publicity … If [actor Richard] Greene really wants to enlist in a Scottish regiment, we’ll take him at once. He is just the age and build we want. But we can’t given him a commission … If he makes good in the ranks, he will have a good chance with others of winning a commission later.

(Kingham quoted in Vancouver Province, 5 Aug 1940, 2)

Born on 24 March 1898 in Victoria, British Columbia, Joshua Rowland Kingham was president of the Kingham-Gillespie Coal Company, a First World War veteran, and colonel of the Canadian Scottish Regiment since 1938. He had enlisted with the 88th Battalion in December 1915 and deployed to France as a private with the 16th Battalion in August 1916. A bullet wound to the skull the next month put an end to his frontline service.

Kingham graduated from University of British Columbia and then completed a master’s degree in metallurgy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He returned home to join the family coal business in Victoria. Following a tenure in command of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Scottish, from 1934 to 1938, he became colonel of the regiment, succeeding Colonel D.R. Sargent. In May 1940, he took over from Sargent again when he reverted to lieutenant-colonel and assumed command of the 1st Battalion, which he led the unit overseas in August 1941.

“Victoria has every reason to be proud of the work the battalion is doing In the Third Division,” Kingham declared. “The spirit of the men from the very beginning has been excellent. They have been doing a fine job, and getting good training. I am more than pleased with the backing the men have given me. They have done everything they have been called upon to do without a word of complaint.” During his tour of the 7th Infantry Brigade, General Montgomery had been less impressed with Kingham. “Commanded a battalion for four years in peace, and is now doing it again,” Monty remarked dryly.

Kingham was replace soon thereafter in April 1942. He was succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel R.G.L. Parker, 1st Battalion second-in-command and former 2nd Battalion commanding officer. “There is no boredom from inactivity now,” Kingham stated on his return home. “Training has been intensified all round and the troops are working harder than ever before.” He was appointed special military advisor to the Royal Canadian Air Force as part of the Pacific Command.

He died on 5 January 1972.