Geoff Holland offers an insightful picture of his service in the British Royal Artillery during the Korean War. At the age of eighteen he was already working in trade as an apprentice joiner in Manchester which delayed his enlistment into National Service until 1950 on his 21st birthday. Following his army training at the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, he was sent to Hong Kong to continue in preparation for Korea. Unfortunately, it was during this period when he received a letter from his fiancée, saying they were breaking up. Soon after, the regiment sailed to Pusan aboard the Empire Orwell (an ex-German liner). Upon arrival, he recalls many unpleasantries on his way to camp. From the scent of human excrement in the paddy fields (putting him off rice) to a turbulent trip on a rattle train with repulsive conditions. His main duties in Korea consisted of carrying ammunition and operating 4-inch mortars which were used to assist the infantry in their push against the Chinese and North Koreans. As a soldier who received limited information, Geoff remained oblivious to certain things such as the exact location of the British infantry despite needing to know the position and range of a mortar before firing. The regiment was fighting in the Battle of the Hook but at the time, Geoff was unaware regarding the significance of his location. He recalls the foulness of his living conditions; no showers or sanitation, facing swarms of rats in the winter followed by the threat of disease by mosquitos in the summer and the constant banging of artillery above. However, he managed to show practicality by improving the warmth of his bed, using newspapers received from his mother for insulation. Many figures stood out in his memory from Korean troops who helped with carrying ammunition and cleaning clothes to a young Scotsman who struggled mentally after his girlfriend had left him. Despite the adversity he faced, Geoff enjoyed his time in Korea despite speaking little of it and though he received no welcome ceremony upon his return to England, in the years that followed he remembers meeting former infantry men from the war who thanked soldiers like him graciously for their support. Geoff's interview discloses the substantial contributions of those serving in the Royal Artillery who lived in the dark while supporting the infantry and reveals the tragedy of personal relationships that befell those who were sent far away to serve in the Korean War.

John Boyd grew up in Essex, the son of a cowman, and was called up for National Service in the early 1950s. After a string of rejections from other corps, he found himself posted to the Royal Signals via the REME — a twist of fate that would send him far from home.

On his way to Germany, John seized the chance to volunteer for Korea. He recalls the long sea crossing, a sobering stop in Hiroshima, and his first days on the frontline. There he was issued with a 19 set radio — built originally for the Russian Army and still marked with Cyrillic script — which became his responsibility.

In his interview, John shares detailed memories of signal work, from wiring and exchanges to his time attached to an American unit where discipline was rather different. His stories are punctuated with humour — a lorry fire, the quirks of kit — but also moments of sadness, particularly the loss of a comrade to haemorrhagic fever. John’s reflections offer a vivid glimpse into the vital, and often overlooked, role of communications in Korea.

Michael White grew up in wartime England, facing rationing and Nazi air raids. At 18, Michael signed up for National Service and trained as a driver for the Royal Artillery. In August 1951, he travelled on the Empire Fowey for his first deployment in the Far East. After reaching Japan, he was sent to Kowloon, Hong Kong, where he learnt about the brutal fighting in Korea. Soon after, he was chosen for duty in Korea. Before leaving, he trained with mortars and became a Technical Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA). Michael recalls how he used 4.2 mortars against the enemy and his experience of napalm. Soldiers experienced very rough conditions, dealing with lice and long periods without washing. During rest and recuperation in Incheon and Hiroshima, Michael experienced Asian culture and much-needed relaxation. He fondly remembers flying over Mount Fuji and notes that many soldiers took photos beside signposts showing how far away home was. Michael has since returned to Korea, witnessing its amazing transformation. For his service, the Koreans awarded him a medal and invited him to visit a memorial in Pusan, honouring those who died.