Bernard Barker provides a riveting recount of his life in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment during the Korean War. Beginning as a poverty-stricken farm boy, he was soon conscripted into National Service where he was given a choice between the infantry regiment and the tank regiment. He chose the latter, having no keenness for marching! Already having experience driving tractors on his farm, he learned quickly.

Following his training in Germany, he was sent off to Korea where he was given the privilege of driving a 50-ton Centurion Tank; a formidable war machine due to its strong armour protection and high survivability rate. He recalls defending the Hook (a defended section of the UN frontline) and was ordered to keep the tank in a static position while firing towards incoming Chinese troops.

He remembers the difficult weather conditions, dealing with both the cold of winter and the intense humidity of summer, all the while pelting the enemy with various ammunition such as armour-piercing rounds and two inch mortars.

Throughout the battle, Bernard recalls the UN having the overall advantage since the Chinese failed to remain elusive, making them easy targets. However, he always found himself in an extremely vulnerable position as it was also his job to carry ammunition from a bunker outside into the tank, coming close to death on numerous occasions.

Eventually, the battle reached a ceasefire but Barker was still required to stay and train at least until the following December, lest the delicate peace was abruptly shattered. He reflects on the Chinese who surrendered and how some of their people had since integrated themselves into Western Society.

Bernard’s story is one of poverty to prominence and offers insight into the nature of tank warfare during the Korean war and the relationships which developed between East and West.