Description
Object description
British private with Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt, 29th British Infantry Bde in North and South Korea, 11/1950-4/1951; prisoner of war in Camp 1, Choksong, North Korea, 4/1951-8/1953
Content description
REEL 1 Aspects of period as schoolchild in GB, 1939-1945: aftermath of German Air Force attack on Coventry, 11/1940; sight of bombing of Bristol, 1940-1941; German Air Force bombing of RAF Staverton, Gloucester and strafing of school playground. Recollections of operations with Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt, 29th British Infantry Bde in North and South Korea, 11/1950-4/1950: prior recollection of volunteering for service with Gloucestershire Regiment, 1945; voyage aboard HMT Empire Windrush from GB to South Korea, 10/1950-11/1950; reception in Pusan, South Korea, 11/1950; initial impression of front line at Sinanju, North Korea; advance to outskirts of Pyongyang, North Korea; stopping refugees crossing bridge at Pyongyang, North Korea, 12/1950; being towed by United States Army out of Pyongyang, North Korea; how he was left behind alone after American troops withdrew; retreat alongside Korean refugees; killing of Communist soldier; narrow escape from cavalry of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) at a ford; strafing of refugee column by United States Air Force.
REEL 2 Continues: cremation of child casualties; reaching United Nation lines after ten days; American general's explanation of strafing attacks; question of Communist troops using civilian clothes; Christmas in Christmas Valley, South Korea, 25/12/1950; sight of execution of North Koreans by Republic of Korea (ROK) police; move back into front line after Christmas, 12/1950; problems of digging in icy conditions in Happy Valley, South Korea, 1/1951; heavy losses of 1st Bn Royal Ulster Rifles and withdrawal of 29th British Infantry Bde from Happy Valley, South Korea, 1/1951; orders to take Hill 327, South Korea; narrow escape from dud mortar bomb; accurate support from Centurion Tanks during assault on Hill 327, South Korea; killing of Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier on Hill 327, South Korea; reaction to dropping of wounded Chinese prisoner of war from stretcher by Korean porters; reservist's premonition of disaster to 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regiment; ceremonial duty at Pusan United Nations' cemetery; General Matthew Ridgway's nickname.
REEL 3 Continues: Recollections of the Battle of the Imjin River, South Korea, 22/4/1951-25/4/1951: role during listening patrol on River Imjin, 20/4/1951-21/4/1951; sight of Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) forces advancing towards Gloster Crossing; stopping Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) forces from crossing River Imjin; Chinese attacks on A and C Coys; covering fire given by Headquarter's Coy to retreating A and C Coys; retiring to Hill 235; rolling grenades down Hill 235 onto attacking Chinese forces; participation in bayonet charge to clear Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) troops from ridge; bravery of Captain Anthony Farrar-Hockley and question of his deserving Victoria Cross for his actions; staying to cover wounded as rest of unit attempted break out; bugle playing by Phillip Buss in reply to Chinese; his attempt to escape from Gloster Hill; capture by Chinese; salute from United States Air Force; attempt of United States Air Force to drop rations onto Hill 235.
REEL 4 Continues: Recollections of prisoner of war march into North Korea, 1951: move of prisoners of war northwards across River Imjin, South Korea; Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) infantry camouflage on move; escape attempt from prisoner of war column on march north; shelter with Korean family; recapture; treatment by North Korean police; rescue from North Korean captors by Chinese; suffering from night blindness; shooting of prisoner of war stragglers by Chinese People's Volunteer Army (PVA) guards; effects of United Air Force bombing. Recollections of period as prisoner of war in Camp 1, Choksong, North Korea, 4/1951-8/1953: entry into camp; punishment for trying to escape including Russian roulette and imprisonment in hole in ground.
REEL 5 Continues: initial conditions in prison camp; improvement in conditions over time; Chinese methods of killing flies; Chinese demand that Mao Tse-tung song should be sung; Chinese attempts to indoctrinate prisoners of war; Chinese demand prisoners of war sign petition supporting germ warfare allegations against United Nations; negative effect of socialist propaganda; visit to camp by British journalist Alan Winnington and his role in organising 'welcome' for him; award of George Cross to Fusilier Derek Kinne; improvement in camp conditions as Panmunjom talks progressed; belief that Chinese could not win war; bombing and strafing of camp.
REEL 6 Continues: different prisoner of war camps in North Korea; initial condition of American prisoners of war in camp and their high death rate; contrast in levels of organisation, fitness and morale between British and American prisoners of war; British prisoners of war aiding of American morale; incident of American prisoner of war who stole from comrades; release from captivity, 13/8/1953; last minute trick played on him by Chinese; question of effects of war.