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Peter-Haughton

A veteran interview with

Peter Haughton

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About Peter Haughton

Peter Haughton describes his experience from volunteering at the age of 16, to joining the famous 7th Armoured Division, the ‘Desert Rats,’ as a member of Tank Crew. 

Peter recalls his role in the D-Day landings, landing at Arromanche on D+1. He remembers ‘Fear, sheer bloody fear’ in anticipation of the landings, which they had no brief for, but his regiment were pleasantly surprised to land in relative peace. This peace was shattered in Villers-Bocage where they were surprised by German tanks, which took out the majority of their regiment while his squadron listened in fear nearby. After regrouping, they pushed on towards Germany. However, Peter was wounded in Holland, and had to receive treatment in the UK before rejoining his regiment.

Despite highlighting challenges such as the inferiority of their equipment, Peter looks back fondly on the camaraderie of the tank crews, which he believes got him through the war; ‘There was always someone there to make a joke of it, no matter how serious it was.’ He even chuckles at the memory of the shortcomings of tank navigation. Nevertheless, he soberly recalls the ‘wonderful blokes’ who were not so lucky, and continues to ask himself why he was spared.

His story reflects the courage of the soldiers who were sent out with little idea of what to expect during the D-Day landings, whilst highlighting the importance of friendship and camaraderie, especially when the odds were against them. 

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Reviewed by:
Connie Monson

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

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Home | Veterans | Peter Haughton

A veteran interview with

Peter Haughton

Peter-Haughton

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Haughton, Peter. A Veteran Interview with Peter Haughton. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/peter-haughton/. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.
APA Style:
Haughton, P. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Peter Haughton [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved September 13, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/peter-haughton/
Chicago Style:
Haughton, Peter. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Peter Haughton. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed September 13, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/peter-haughton/
Harvard Style:
Haughton, P. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Peter Haughton. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/peter-haughton/ (Accessed: 13 September 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Haughton, P. A Veteran Interview with Peter Haughton [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2026 Sep 13]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/peter-haughton/
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Bill Fox experienced some of the worst fighting of the war and provides an incredible yet emotional account of his time in Korea.

As a young man desperate for adventure, Fox volunteered for Korea with the Gloucestershire regiment and recalls his excitement at fighting with the UN Army. Told that he would be home by Christmas, Bill remembers looking forward to his national service. Bill describes his arrival in Busan, which in 1950 was still a quiet harbour, and his following journey North. He reflects upon the words of his colonel and the quietness that enveloped their long, slow movement to the front line. As they moved North and into battle, Bill describes how they also began to face bitter cold Winter and the realisation that they would not be returning home that Christmas. In this interview, Bill recalls his first encounter with the enemy, the tactics of the Chinese army, and the battle of Hill 332 by the Imjin River which resulted in his capture as a prisoner of war. He details the horrific conditions of the camps and the peace talks that finally gave him hope of freedom.
Photo Gallery icon 3 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
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An interview with

John Bowler

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John was drafted into the Army and, upon becoming a commissioned officer in the Royal Welsh Regiment, chose Jamaica as his dream destination. Fate chose Folkstone's barracks for John instead. He explains how his strong relationship with his platoon commander, rugby and the British weather - but not its terrain - prepared them for Korea. John then fondly recounts travelling and being posted to Hong Kong in 1951, aged 19, and explains how "Tuffy" the goat mascot deeply affected Welsh servicemen's morale! Most men had never left Wales, so they brought Welsh hymns with them as they landed in Pusan. John recalls acclimatising to a country and people devastated by war. Posted on the "Hook" ridge frontline, John gives a colourful depiction of the British defensive positions and cooking with petrol. He recalls his first (very) close enemy contact and the Chinese army's professionalism. John fought fiercely on Hill 169. He explains what night-time fighting was like and how his company fought their way out of a Chinese encirclement. John poignantly reflects on how the love for his men often trumped his fear of death. John shares a heart-racing encounter with a numerically superior enemy and how British artillery helped them escape into no man's land. John explains how the unreliable Sten gun hindered their retreat and how an act of god saved his men. On another dreaded daylight patrol, John shares a heart-breaking memory of how a well-placed mortar killed two of his men. There were always two other enemies, the cold weather and hills, and John explains how they were fought. John's platoon was then posted to Hill 355. John recalls a night-time raid behind enemy lines and how his men kept their discipline under unimaginable terror, and how he won the Military cross. He also speaks of keeping his humanity during war. Korea gave John clarity on life's important things and a steadfast resilience to its challenges. He also got nightmares and a lifelong grief for his fallen men. John is testament to the British soldier's camaraderie, honesty and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges.
Photo Gallery icon 5 Photos
Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker