Brian Daley initially trained as a signaller in the Royal Signals when he was called up for national service in 1951. In this interview he recalls how during his signal training he realised he instead wanted to volunteer for the Royal Military Police and fight in Korea. Excited to embark on a new journey, Brian began his police detachment training. Brian remembers his voyage to the Far East and albeit rough at sea, he enthusiastically discusses the details of each port and country in which they stopped on route. As part of the police detachment unit, his role was to patrol the docks for suspicious activity. Brian was first stationed in Kure, and eventually made his way to Busan. He remembers that by the time of his arrival in Busan the war was almost over and thus he was only required for general policing. Reflecting on the Korean war Brian does not remember the fighting due to his positioning but will always remember the local Korean people whom he met on his journey. In this interview he reminds of the importance of documenting and remembering not only the war, but those who lost their lives.

Jim Grundy tells of his memories from his service during the Korean War. From humble beginnings in Eccles, Lancashire to the perils of Korea, between Busan and Daegu. Born into a poor family, the early years of Jim’s life were difficult and he was glad to join the army as part of the Army Catering Corps. He adjusted to army life well, after the struggles of initial training, which he recalls and in 1949 was sent to Aldershot – his first time leaving Lancashire, before being stationed at Rhyl. It was here that the army discovered that he had trained previously as an undertaker; he was assigned a very special job and dispatched to Korea, to work as a body hunter. Jim describes his first impressions of arriving in a new country and the amicable relationship between British troops and Koreans. He talks with pride about the work done by the small group of five unarmed men, of which he was a part; who worked closely together, helped each other and established a close bond.  The work was emotionally testing, the conditions horrendous. Particular emphasis is given to the appreciation these men received, despite not being on the front line. An arm injury from an incendiary shot, put an end to Jim’s time in the Korean war and allowed him to return home. Jim’s story is one of fortitude and friendship in a heartbreaking job.