Blenkinsop, Richard Errington (Oral history)

British officer served with 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde in Korea. 11/1950-10/1951; commanded 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in Aden, 1966-1967

REEL 1: Aspects of enlistment and training with Northumberland Fusiliers in GB, 1942-1945: reasons for joining regiment; basic training at Saighton Camp, Chester; further training at 124th Machine Gun Training Centre, Chester; joining 7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers at Shorncliffe Camp; role as company clerk; selection for officer training at No 160 Officer Cadet Training Unit, Alton Towers; drafing to 1st Bn Northumberland Fusilers in Gibaltar. Recollections of operations with 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde in Korea, 11/1950-10/1951: collision with American ship whilst in transit; train journey up to base; guard duties; operations against North Koreans; attack by Chinese forces. REEL 2 Continues: operations with South Korean forces; attack by North Korean and Chinese forces; wounding and hospitalisation in Japan; rejoining unit in Korea; burial of British servicemen in Korea; meeting with Turkish commander; opinion of Korea War; weather conditions. Recollections of operations as commanding officer of 1st Bn Northumberland Fusiliers in Aden, 1966-1967: background to training in GB, 1965; question of reputation of unit; contact with local civilans; relations with European civilians in Aden; problems of gathering information; opinion of the news reporters; attitude to being attacked by grenades; mutiny by Arab Police, 6/1967. REEL 3 Continues: operation to remove casualties. Reflections on service with British Army: question of promotion through ranks; attitude towards regiment; army career.