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Gerry-Farmer

A veteran interview with

Gerry Farmer

Gerry Farmer provides a great interview detailing his time as a Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in the Korean War.

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About Gerry Farmer

Gerald “Gerry” Farmer grew up in East London and briefly experienced evacuation during the Second World War before returning home. At 18 he was called up for National Service and, by December 1951, found himself conscripted to the Korean War.

In his interview, Gerry recalls the long journey to Korea with the Royal Fusiliers, his responsibilities on Hill 159, and the brutal reality of the Battle of the Hook. He tells of saving the life of a Korean soldier, being wounded by shrapnel, and the lasting memories of those who did not survive. His return to Korea in 1981 stirred powerful emotions, contrasting the devastation he remembered with the rebuilt country he saw.

Gerry also offers candid reflections on the war itself: the harsh weather, unsuitable equipment, the disparity in pay between national forces, and his doubts about why they were really fighting. Amidst these hard truths, he shares lighter moments — camaraderie with Australian soldiers, a first taste of Jack Daniels, and even an encounter with Michael Caine.

His story is one of hardship, humour, and honesty about a conflict too often forgotten.

Credits

Interviewed by:
Jongwoo Han
Reviewed by:
Lucy Smith
Transcribed by:
Nour Mostafa

Transcripts:
Please note that transcripts and closed captions in the video player are automatically generated by Vimeo.

If you would like a version of the transcript that has been transcribed manually by Nour Mostafa, please complete this form or email info@legasee.org.uk.

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Home | Veterans | Gerry Farmer

A veteran interview with

Gerry Farmer

Gerry-Farmer

Gerry Farmer provides a great interview detailing his time as a Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) in the Korean War.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Farmer, Gerry. A Veteran Interview with Gerry Farmer. Interview by Jongwoo Han. Legasee, 14 Sep. 2017 https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/gerry-farmer/. Accessed 18 Nov. 2025.
APA Style:
Farmer, G. (2017, September 14). A Veteran Interview with Gerry Farmer [Interview by Jongwoo Han]. Legasee. Retrieved November 18, 2025, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/gerry-farmer/
Chicago Style:
Farmer, Gerry. 2017. A Veteran Interview with Gerry Farmer. Interview by Jongwoo Han. Legasee, September 14. Accessed November 18, 2025. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/gerry-farmer/
Harvard Style:
Farmer, G. (2017). A Veteran Interview with Gerry Farmer. [Interviewed by Jongwoo Han]. Legasee, 14 September. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/gerry-farmer/ (Accessed: 18 November 2025)
Vancouver Style:
Farmer, G. A Veteran Interview with Gerry Farmer [Internet]. Interview by J. Han. Legasee; 2017 Sep 14 [cited 2025 Nov 18]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/gerry-farmer/
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