Korean War Sixty years on.

[computedshorty]

Members of this Forum and local men were involved in the Korean War. Just a short Memory of those.

Sixty years ago the war in Korea ceased. Not a war that many remember.

Over a thousand men got killed, and another thousand taken prisoner and tortured, with thin wire around their neck then to a raised leg, if the prisoner dropped his leg he hung himself. These were National Servicemen not regular Soldiers how could our Government send them there, as this was not a Declared War so no compensation would be awarded to the relatives of a Soldier Killed.

National Service as peacetime conscription was formulated by the National Service Act 1948 From 1 January 1949, healthy males 17 to 21 years old were expected to serve in the Armed Forces for 18 months, and remain on the reserve list for four years. They could be recalled to their units for up to 20 days for no more than three occasions during these four years.

Men were exempt from National Service if they worked in one of the three essential services Coal Mining Farming and the Merchant Navy for a period of eight years. If they quit early, they were subject to being called up. Exemption continued for conscientious objectors, with the same tribunal system and categories.

In October 1950, in response to the British involvement in the Korean War, the service period was extended to two years.

I was serving my National Service in Germany when it was found that more troops were needed so, on the eve of my release, I was told that I must remain for another six months, and on reserve for another three and a half years, to be called back at any time needed. So now my service would cover some five and a half years equal to those who had served in the war.

We did not think this as very fair, as any job we might get would not stay vacant if we were away for some time.

I did the extra six months many of my Regimental pals went to Korea, our Tanks were taken away to be used in Korea, we were issued with old type Propelled Guns.

I did get recalled three times once back to Germany other times to keep the Barracks of Regiments abroad Staffed in England.

Those thirty who did go to Korea were added to the Fifth Dragoon Guards.

They served with distinction, sorry to say the have all passed on now.

[steveo]

Always fascinating. A narrow escape cs

[PeckhamRose]

Thanks for this cs. My Dad served in Korea. He was part of REME (Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers). He has never talked about it and now his memories are going. I have gently tried to encourage him to talk, but he won't. His older sister reported she knew he had been injured, and recovered in a Singapore Hospital, but he won't deny or accept that. Mum has dementia so anything he told her (they married 1955) has long since gone.

[Michael Palaeologus]

My Godfather, Norman "Nic" Nichols, served in Korea. He saw combat and never spoke about those experiences. He did however talk of the absurdities of army life.

He was mentioned in despatches for capturing a North Korean soldier. My Godfather was sat on a trench privy enjoying a quiet dump. Suddenly a head popped up over the trench and looked around, the North Korean was somewhat startled to see a British soldier about his business. This gave Nic time to stand up, grab his .303 and point it at the hapless Korean.

The enemy soldier looked shocked and surrendered straight away. Whether it was simply as a result of having a gun pointed at him or whether it was having a gun pointed at him by a squaddie with his trousers and pants round his ankles, Nic often pondered upon after a Lemon Hart rum or two.

[steveo]

Koreans are generally smaller in stature than running dog capitalists aren't they?

It might have been shock and awe at the length of Norman's rifle