Bennett, Gordon

Gordon Bennett was born August 1, 1932 in Toronto. He grew during the war years, when he attended Riverdale Collegiate. Gordon chose to join the army himself when he turned 18, in 1951. The Korean War was underway at this time, and Gordon went overseas in early 1952, when he was 19. He was assigned to the Royal Canadian Regiment, or RCRs. After a long voyage across the Pacific, Gordon landed in Inchon harbour, from where he quickly made his way to the front lines.  Once there he experienced the many facets of the Korean War:  the hills and bunkers, the shelling and Chinese assaults, and the inevitable patrols. Gordon took part in the defense of Hill 355, one of Canada’s most significant battles during that conflict.  Gordon was in a support position when the initial Chinese assault began; it was his task to organize the counterattack, and the RCRs were able to retake the lost ground the next day. Gordon fought as part of the Commonwealth Battalion within the larger United Nations force, and from 1950-53 those forces repelled the North Korean and Chinese invasions, leading to a ceasefire/truce  which remains in effect today. Gordon remains an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion and is actively committed to the cause of remembrance. Gordon Bennett was interviewed at the Galt Legion in Cambridge, Ontario by Zach Dunn and Scott Masters in February 2026.