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	Brockington, Leonard Walter 1907 5a Street Demolished: 1963 1888-1966 "Chief Yellow Head Coming-Over-The-Hill," Leonard Brockington, was born in Cardiff, Wales, in 1888. The son of an English schoolmaster, Brockington, (or "Brock" as he was known to his associates in Calgary), graduated with honours in Greek and Latin before emigrating to Canada in 1912. He became the editor of a bi-weekly newspaper in Edmonton. Moving to Calgary in 1915, he worked as a clerk in a land-titles office while studying law at night. Brockington was called to the Bar in 1919, after scoring record marks for all of his law exams. Brockington joined the Calgary James Lougheed’s and R.B. Bennett’s law firm in Calgary, and became city solicitor. While practicing law in Calgary, he suffered an arthritis attack that left him unable to stand erect. He was a popular figure in the city, with the local aboriginal population giving him the nickname above, and developing a growing reputation for oratorical skill. In 1935, he left the city and traveled east to Winnipeg, where he became the general counsel for the North West Grain Dealers Association. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation appointed Brockington chairman of their board of governors in 1936, and he held this position until 1939, when Prime Minister MacKenzie King appointed him adviser to his war cabinet. After only two years, he returned to England and served the Churchill wartime government. During World War II, Brockington was the voice that most Canadians heard over the airwaves keeping them informed about the progress of the war. Following the end of the war, he acted as commissioner for several Canadian industrial battles. Also during this time, he personally covered the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II for the Calgary Herald, and became Rector of Queen’s University in Ontario in 1947, a position he held until his death in 1966. Brockington was survived by his wife Agnes and two sons. Throughout his career, Brockington maintained an avid interest in theatre and the symphony, donating his time and talent generously to both.
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