Colin Cockcroft

Lieutenant General Dr. Colin Royden Cockcroft SSA SSA SM SD SM MMM, MBChB (4 October 1917 – 5 December 1987)[1] was a South African military commander.

Lieutenant General Dr. Colin Royden Cockcroft SSA SSA SD SM MMM, MBChB
Born	4 October 1917 Dordrecht, Cape Province, Union of South Africa (now Eastern Cape)
Died	5 December 1987 (aged 70)
Allegiance	South African Army
Rank	Lieutenant General Dr.
Awards	Star of South Africa (SSA) Star of South Africa (SSA) Southern Cross Decoration (SD) Southern Cross Medal (SM) Military Merit Medal (MMM)
Spouse(s)	Ellen Cornelia Johanna Peacock

A medical doctor, he served as Surgeon General of the South African Medical Service from 1969 to 1977.

Early career

He obtained a MBChB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in 1946 and later obtained a master's degree in pediatrics from the University of Pretoria[1]

Military career

He joined the South African Army's medical corps in 1947 but later resigned in 1948.

He served in 5 & 7 Field Ambulance in the Citizen Force until he joined the Permanent Force in 1960.[2][3]

He commanded 1 Military Hospital (Pretoria), served as Deputy Surgeon General and later commanded the centralised South African Medical Service, as Surgeon-General, from 1969 to 1977, before he retired[3]

Awards and Decorations

• Star of South Africa (SSA)
• Star of South Africa (SSA)
• Southern Cross Decoration (SD)
• Southern Cross Medal (SM)
• Military Merit Medal (MMM)

He also served on the South African Medical and Dental Council and was a member of the South African Academy of Art and Science. on 1 December 1973 he was appointed the first Honorary Professor of Medicine at the University of Pretoria[4]

References

1. In Memoriam C.R. Cockroft
2. Nöthling, C. J.; Meyers, E. M. (2012-02-28). "LEIERS DEUR DIE JARE (1912-1982)". Scientia Militaria - South African Journal of Military Studies. 12 (2). ISSN 2224-0020.
3. C.J. Nöthling; E.M. Meyers (1982). "LEIERS DEUR DIE JARE". Scientaria Militaria. 12 (2).
4. Passing events