Korea: Remembering the veterans of 'forgotten war'

I have enjoyed reading this post Dianne and l have just finished reading To the last Round. It's about the Korean War and is about the glosters who were wiped out at the battle of IMJIN RIVER .The Korean war was an horrific war as all wars are. But this book really hit home what they were up against . Elsie

 

Apologies if this has surfaced elsewhere.

Appeal For Families Of British Personnel Killed Or Missing In Korea To Provide DNA

How anyone can hold the `dead` as hostage is beyond me for whatever reason

Kyle

 

I think I've already mentioned that I took my signed copy of The Edge of the Sword by Anthony Farrar-Hockley (Subsequently dubbed Farrar the Para) to the site of Gloster Hill in some kind of act of synthetic synchronicity.

Korea is a beautiful country that must have been a ghastly place to fight a war: an endless succession of mountains and plains, far below zero and hard-dry across the winter; intolerably humid with mosquitos and an (admittedly short) rainy season in the summer.

Nothing but admiration for those who did the job.

 

... according to my father it was the smell of the fertilizer they put on the paddy fields that stayed with him (although it's probably improved by now!). Any 'ordure', animal or human, was used. Dad never did eat rice after that.

 

Not really with reference to anything, but I saw this photograph and, despite the lowish quality, was struck by how young all the participants looked--both the Chinese prisoners and their British guard. The only clues as to identity are that he's 1st Commonwealth Division (so post-July '51) and this is on 'the western front'. They'd be old men, of course, but it's perfectly possible for some of them to be alive today in their late 80s and early 90s; one would like to think so.

 

For dbf, Charley Fortnum, Tolbooth, and all who passed this way before, and for all that may yet pass this way, words and photographs from;

"ONE MAN'S WAR IN KOREA" by D "Lofty" Large.

“The spirits of units like the Glosters can surely never die while they remain active units within the Army. They will have their ups and downs - and, no doubt, their clown problems - but, in the end, come the crunch, the same spirit would again sustain men in the face of overwhelming odds, should the need arise. Over the many years now, since the Korean war, people have often asked me if I think of Korea or remember anything about it.

As far as remembering goes, this book must speak for itself. I kept no diaries or records of any kind during my military service. The dates quoted are correct from reference to various documents and factual histories such as The Imjin Roll by Colonel E.D. Harding DSO (my highly regarded company commander during the Imjin battle), but more often from reference to my Record of Army Service. The days and dates, Sunday 22 April to Wednesday 25 April 1951 are stamped into my memory forever.

Do I ever think of Korea or the Korean war? Yes, I think of the Korean war, just as thousands of others who have been left with constant reminders. However, I count myself extremely fortunate not only to have survived the experience but to have lived my life more or less as I've wished ever since. The memories, even so, are there if one digs deep enough. In the course of my writing I have, on occasion, dug too deep. The sight, the sound, the smell, the feel have all come back.
Not good news.

Korea, Land of the Morning Calm was, to me, not all war, destruction and despair. It can be a very beautiful country, especially in the autumn, when the hills and mountains with their cloak of trees display all the vivid colours of nature. Perhaps my view of Korea in the autumn, which was of course from the confines of a prison camp, was also coloured by the fact that what I could see was outside the camp, therefore representing freedom, the outside world, untouched by thesqualor, death and disease of my immediate surroundings. Nevertheless, it is a beautiful country.”

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Further photographs from; "ONE MAN'S WAR IN KOREA" by D "Lofty" Large.

Please, if you have the interest, seek out this work, I do not think you will be disappointed.

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

 

For all, and those who gave their all, words and photographs from;

"THE EDGE OF THE SWORD" by Captain Anthony Farrar-Hockley D.S.O., M.C.

"I did not need my bundle of belongings anymore. It remained on the seat by which I had been sitting. I suddenly realized that it was a very hot morning as I came down the steps into the sunlight to be clapped on the back by an American soldier who led me towards a wooden arch marked: "Welcome to Freedom". I passed underneath. It was nine o'clock on the 31st August 1953"

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

 

Over the recent years while watching Remembrance commemorations I can recall the last of the WW1 veterans, men like Harry Patch passing through. Then more lately being involved with Chindit soldiers from WW2, who are now touching 100 years old at their youngest, I thought to myself that it wouldn't be long before the senior service personnel at the Cenotaph would be the veterans of the Korean War. But then you realise that even National Servicemen who fought in Korea would now be approaching 90 years old and soon will also disappear from view. So perhaps the title of this thread is rather apt after all.

 

Veteran interviews.

 

Korean War veteran reflects 70 years after conflict - BBC News

'I just got out by the skin of my teeth' - BBC News

 

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?st...yyFaggkHKzaWcHKU7FDHEjMfel&id=100064838312346

The artist and former cricketer, Jack Russell, was interviewed on BBC Breakfast this morning to talk about his portraits of 10 former Korean War veterans, of whom 8 now remain, celebrating their recent reunion.

There is also an exhibition of his work at Soldiers of Gloucestershire museum.

A great tribute which will immortalise the last remaining veterans.

Museum Events - Soldiers Of Gloucestershire Museum

 

The UN contingent, IMHO, with maybe (just maybe) the exception of Commonwealth units, is the victim of a gross under-research derived from the show being mainly a US one.

Thus, any contribution towards recognition of the effort and sacrifice of the rest of the countries involved (including the Commonwealth), is greatly appreciated.

There should be encouragement towards international authors to produce work covering their respective contingents, as there are some thin booklets available, but true in-depth books about say, the Dutch deployment during Wonju, or the heroic Turkish stand at Kunu-ri, are sadly lacking.

 

If things all go to plan on Remembrance Sunday, I may well pop in to the Lamb & Flag pub (Covent Garden) and meet up with the Korean veterans who frequent that hostelry after the Cenotaph march. In 2010 I was treated to a post-Cenotaph dinner in there by some veterans of the Queen's Regiment, once they had been told I was the grandson of a Chindit. It wasn't until I had eaten my fill, that I told them granddad was with the King's Regiment!! I then retired rather swiftly to the tube station.

 

For at least one, it was the beginning of a career: Peter de la Billière - Wikipedia

Mentioned in his autobiography Looking for Trouble (SAS to Gulf Command).
Joined as a Private in the KSLI
Commissioned into the DLI
Arrived in Korea on his 19th Birthday.
Became known as "Eddie Smith" due to his unpronounceable name.

 

Some Commandos can be found here

Commando Veterans Archive | Korean War | ͏