On the 25 June 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea. The United Nations was quick to respond and immediately  encouraged its members to support the South. Many countries sent troops including the USA, Britain, Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand and South Africa. UN Forces were quick to drive the North Koreans back into the North and up to the Yalu river, the border between China and North Korea. China immediately entered the war and pushed UN forces back into the South. The opposing armies faced each other in trenches little more than a mile apart. Armistice negotiations began in July 1951 but with little success. It wasn't until 27 July 1953 than an armistice was signed agreeing that Korea was to remain a divided country.

Listen to the extracts

The Imperial War Museum's Sound Archive has been interviewing British and Commonwealth Korean War veterans about their experiences for the past 10 years.

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