Barrett, Donald Frank (Oral history)

British civilian in Kingston upon Thames, GB, 1940-1945; private and NCO served with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt, 27th Infantry Bde in Hong Kong, 1950; NCO served wiht 1st Bn Middlesex Regt, 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in Korea, 1950-1951

REEL 1 Background in Whitchurch in GB, 1931-1939: family; education. Recollection of childhood in Kingston upon Thames in GB, 1939-1945: bombing in area; narrow escape from bombs which straddled shelter and house; heavy bomb attack on Hampton Wick; V weapon attacks; sight of Italian bomber during Battle of Britain; personal morale during bombing; visits to US camp, Bushey Park; effect of war on education; public morale in Kingston; shock of fall of France, 1940; anticipation of German invasion, 1940; joining army cadets 1944; victory celebrations 1945. Period of National Service training at Shorncliffe Camp, GB, 1949: call up, 9/1949; nature of initial training; why he decided not to go for commission; question of never turning down army offers of promotion; attitude of training NCOs and officers; Home Counties Training Bde; opinion of NCOs in charge of continuation training. REEL 2 Continues: passing-out parade; draft to Middlesex Regt and move to Number 2 Holding Coy. Recollections of voyage from GB to Hong Kong aboard HMT Empire Orwell, 1950: seasickness in Bay of Biscay; astonishment of shops stacked with British goods unobtainable in GB at Port Said; voyage through Suez Canal; bum boats and misbehaviour of soldiers towards vendors at Port Said; effect of Ceylon Independence on traders in Colombo; shore leave in Singapore; weather conditions crossing South China Seas; suffering from sunburn; arrival in Hong Kong. Recollection of period as private and NCO with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt in Hong Kong, 1950: accommodation and skin diseases contracted by troops at Fanling; prior recollections of experiences at Shorncliffe Camp. REEL 3 Continues: duties in New Territories; sandfly fever which affected 3rd Royal Tank Regt; amount of fish in soldier's diet; junior NCOs course, 5/1950; guard duties; experiences as 'stick man', Government House; promotion to lance corporal; incident of falling into monsoon ditch on guard duty, 6/1950; Training Platoon, summer 1950; poisonous centipede menace at Kai Tak; problems of jaundice; news of posting to Korea, 8/1950. REEL 4 Continues: preparations for move to Korea and Barrett's allocation to 6 Platoon, B Coy, 8/1950; embarking on HMS Unicorn, 8/1950. Voyage from Hong Kong to Korea aboard HMS Unicorn, 8/1950: send off; anti-aircraft drill; conditions on board. Recollections of operations as NCO with 6 Platoon, B Coy 1st Bn Middlesex Regt, 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in Korea, 8/1950-5/1951: entry into Pusan harbour, 8/1950; reception in Pusan; opinion of 'defeatism' of British Army officer who spoke to Middlesex Regt at Pusan, 8/1950; slow train journey from Pusan to 24th Div's reserve area; cold conditions during first night in Korea; question of dealing with occupied villages; US Army's relations with Korean civilians; training as flame thrower operator; advance to Taegu, 3/9/1950; dawn stand to and US Army's astonishment of this custom; Korean civilians' dress. REEL 5 Continues: manning observation post on Boot Hill; positions on River Naktong; corpses buried on Boot Hill; move to new position on River Naktong; withdrawal from positions; faulty fuses on US shells; arrival of mail from home; mosquito scourge; flooding of trenches; patrolling Naktong Valley, 9/1950; regiment's crossing of River Naktong; move to concentration area under North Korean shell-fire. REEL 6 Continues: account of operations Hill 325 'Middlesex Hill', Naktong Valley; 9/1950 including US napalming of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, near Hill 325 and burial of dead. REEL 7 Continues: question of shaving in front-line; drive into Songju, 26/9/1950; start of feeling cold in Korea, 9/1950; patrol from Songju; shower of apples from villagers; discussion of whether troops should be given medal for Korean War; question of distinguishing between North and South Koreans; flight of 1st Bn Middlesex Regt to Kimpo Airfield, 10/1950; issue of US rations at Kimpo Airfield; advance to Kaesong and onto Sariwon, 10/1950; view of North Korean POWs being sent south; Sariwon, 10/1950; choking dust of Sariwon-Pyongyang advance, 10/1950. REEL 8 Continues: role as first United Nations' troops into Pyongyang, 10/1950; mass grave near Pyongyang, 19/10/1950; question of tanks running over corpses on roads, 10/1950; capture of Yongyu, 22/10/1950; North Korean uniforms; view of wounded North Korean POWs at Yongyu, 22/10/1950; view of Australian soldier executing North Korean POWs; North Korean dead on approach to Sukchon, 23/10/1950; shortage of rations for Middlesex Regt on advance, 23/10/1950; view of knocked-out T34 tanks; crossing Chongchon River near Sinanju, 24/10/1950; feast on looted chicken, 10/1950; advance on Pakchon, 26/10/1950; Middlesex Regt casualities from T34 shell, 26/10/1950. REEL 9 Continues: incident of Korean civilian watching tank engagement; discovery of abandoned North Korean 'burp guns', 10/1950; North Korean use of civilians as human shields; action around Chongju; clearing village after company commander killed, near Chongju; covering withdrawal from village; how he got rid of 'burp gun'; burial of comrade; move to Taechon for four day rest, 31/10/1950; reaction to Chinese entry into war, 11/1950; patrolling at Taechon; story illustrating power of company clerks at Taechon, 11/1950; withdrawal from Taechon. REEL 10 Continues: start of retreat south, 11/1950; arrival at Pakchon, 11/1950; extreme cold, 11/1950; church service; Australian preparations for action with Chinese in Pakchon area, 11/1950; orders to organise bath-house for troops, 11/1950; questionable defensive skills of US tankmen; night guard duties; Chinese assault on Australian positions, north of Sinanju, 6/11/1950; Brigadier Coad's annoyance with tactics of Australian commanding officer, 6/11/1950; replacement of Australian commanding officer by Major Fergusson. REEL 11 Continues: withdrawal of United Nations' troops southwards; subdued demeanour of Australian soldiers, 7/11/1950; unit under Chinese tank fire from Pakchon, 7/11/1950; civilian girl who resisted being searched; arrest of two civilians attempting to infiltrate through Middlesex Regt lines, c8/11/1950; United Nations' retaliation against Chinese tanks in Pakchon; patrol onto battlefield at Pakchon, 11/1950 including lorries and anti-tank gun abandoned by Australians, marking position of bodies on battlefield, reaction to sight of two civilian corpses in Sunday best holding hands, view of napalmed body and suspicion of South Korean patrol, c9/11/1950. REEL 12 Continues: interview with commanding officer, Colonel Andrew Man and promotion to corporal, c13/11/1950; cold weather conditions, night 13/11/1950; failure to make use of abandoned Australian greatcoats; advance of unit north through Kujin, 14/11/1950; contact with civilians at Kujin, 14/11/1950; capture of Chinese quarter-master's store near Kujin; re-capture of Pakchon, c16/11/1950; Colour Sergeant 'Give 'em rice' O'Keefe; move of unit in soaking rain north east of Pakchon, 17/11/1950; view of Brigadier Coad moving forward in jeep. REEL 13 Continues: Brigadier Coad's displeasure about the wearing of non-camouflage scarves; patrol towards Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders positions; petrol shortage, 16/11/1950-26/11/1950; Thanksgiving Day, 11/1950; news of move to Kunu-ri; journey to Kunu-ri, via Pakchon, 27/11/1950; issue of dishcloths to act as scarves; view of Turkish troops; first realisation of United Nations' forces in retreat, 28/11/1950; sending Christmas cards home; issue of socks and gloves; start of retreat southwards from Kunu-ri; wearing peak hats; US corpses being carried south on lorries, 28/11/1950; story of civilian's temporary loss of door for soldiers' fire; night march through Kunu-ri pass, 11/1950; incident of soldier whose morale cracked. REEL 14 Continues: exhaustion on march south from Kunu-ri; hitching lift on US ammunition lorry; arrival at Sunchon and move to Chasan, 28/11/1950; orders to return north up Kunu-ri Pass to clear roadblock, c29/11/1950; finding dead US colonel in jeep; conversation with Sherman tank crew north of Choptong-ni, situation in Taedong Valley, 29/11/1950; attempt to clear roadblock under-fire at Yongwon-ni, 29/11/1950; withdrawal back to Choptong-ni from roadblock, 29/11/1950; orders to hold southern end of Kunu-ri Pass. REEL 15 Continues: first Chinese prisoner, c30/11/1950; deployment of unit; incident of how troops went to rescue of wounded Korean woman civilian; United Nations' casualties amongst troops who ran gauntlet in Kunu-ri Pass; refusal of permission to go to aid of wounded US troops; view of masses of ROK troops retreating in Suchon area; extreme cold during retreat by lorry towards Suchon and Chasan; c30/11/1950; meeting with reporters including Alan Whicker and Randolph Churchill near Chasan, c30/11/1950. REEL 16 Continues: view of US 2 Div moving through Chasan, 1/12/1950; opinion of Colonel Man and Brigadier Coad; Middlesex Regt's taking over defence of Chasan, 1/12/1950; shortage of NCOs in unit; incident of falling asleep on stand-to, 1/12/1950; view of execution of civilians possibly by ROK troops, near Chasan, c1/12/1950; self-wounding of soldier in A Coy, 2/12/1950; move of unit eastwards towards Yopa-ri, 2/12/1950; photographers taking pictures of Australian medium machine gunners at Yopa-ri, 3/12/1950. REEL 17 Continues: use of US vehicles for journey from Yopa-ri towards Pyongyang, 4/12/1950; reception of 27 Bde by 29 Bde, 4/12/1950; view of burning stores in Pyongyang, 4/12/1950; retreat from Pyongyang; unit role guarding Corps Headquarters in Suan area; c5/12/1950; incident of having to discipline soldier in section; displeasure of Corps Headquarters about Middlesex use of bugle, c6/12/1950; reaction to retreat of United Nations' forces towards South Korea, 6/12/1950; arrival Sibyon-ni, c9/12/1950; suspicion about purpose of fires in hills; reaction to lack of United Nations' resistance to Chinese advance, c10/12/1950; sight of civilians moving south of 38th Parallel, c10/12/1950; construction of hut at Uijongbu, 12/1950. REEL 18 Continues: question of suitability of reinforcements from Gloucestershire Regt at Uijongbu, 12/1950; incident with drunken US soldiers; acquisition of US Carbine; organisation of 'Shanty town'; opinion of new officer, John Swarbrick from 29 Bde; suspicion of friendly civilian woman; incident of civilian carrying empty wardrobe to Pusan, 12/1950; heavy snow at Uijongbu, 12/1950; improvement of rations; Christmas in Uijongbu, 25/12/1950; raids on US rations by 6 Platoon and retaliatory raids by US troops on Middlesex's rations. REEL 19 Continues: reaction of 29 Bde troops to Middlesex troops cracking lice, 12/1950; story relating to ease with which accidents can happen in training; concern about being demoted from corporal; beginning of Chinese offensive and retreat south from Uijongbu, 1/1/1951; denying equipment to advancing Chinese in Tokchong area, 1/1/1951; encounter with US soldier from Clapham on Seoul perimeter c3/1/1951; view of Seoul from peak overlooking city, 3/1/1951; issue of rations, 3/1/1951; question of unit being cut off in Seoul, 4/1/1951. REEL 20 Continues: evacuation of defences on north side of Seoul, 4/1/1951; move to Suwon, 4/1/1951; journey to Ichon where Barrett became unconscous from carbon monoxide poisoning from tank fumes, c5/1/1951; accident to section during retreat to Ichon; establishment of 27 Bde defensive positions north of Chungju, 6/1/1951; meal with civilians near Changhowon-ni, 6/1/1951; night in snow without sentries; issue of inflammable sleeping bags, 1/1951; positions and weather conditions at Changhowon-ni, c9/1/1951. REEL 21 Continues: perfecting defensive positions, Chanhowon-ni; story relating to Irishman 'Paddy' in Coy who was alarmed by cow; calf which went into stewpot, 1/1951; VD case in unit; sickness in unit; issue of cold weather clothing; arrival of 16th New Zealand Field Artillery; incident of civilian indifferent to artillery salvo; effect of cold on artillery range; 'Black Boris' winner of dirty feet competition; suffering from flu; reconnaissance patrol in fog, 1/1951; ease with which unit positions could be located, execution of fog patrol, encounter with alleged ROK nurses; character of Korean snow and walking through it, foraging for food in village and completion of patrol; night patrol to investigate village, 1/1951. REEL 22 Continues: desperation not to go sick, 1/1951; medical officer's visit to give cholera vaccination and orders for Barrett to be pulled out of line; long period of unconsciousness in care of Indian medical unit; attentions of Sikh medical personnel; malaria outbreak in 27 Bde; return to unit, c4/2/1951; alarm caused by movements of mouse in night, 2/1951; lice infestation in bedding; orders to be put on light duties for several days; dealing with lice problem; constructing toilet, 2/1951; incident of excrement in trench; attempt of artillery to break river ice; plight of civilians; US troops taking exception to British soldiers' humour, 2/1951; wigwam dweller with disease, 2/1951; civilians hit by smallpox outbreak, 2/1951; smallpox vaccinations. REEL 23: question of false accusations of US 'germ warfare'; question of staged training exercises; renewed United Nations advance, 14/2/1951; Middlesex Regt's attack on Hill 112 on Yoju-Chipyong road, 14/2/1951 including Chinese attack on A Coy, A Coy counter-attack, view of Chinese dead, capture of Chinese weaponry, Chinese use of converted bren guns, wounded Chinese soldier, C-ration tin twisted in half by dying Chinese soldier and distribution of captured Chinese automatics. REEL 24 : Continues: problems of trying to dispose of Chinese corpse hit by napalm, 15/2/1951; death of Chinese wounded who congregated in circles, 15/2/1951; commanding officer Andrew Man behaviour under mortar-fire, 15/2/1951; incidence of troops with low morale who shot themselves in foot, 2/1951; lack of hostility to self inflicted wound cases; removal of comrade who broke down mentally, c15/2/1951; award of MC to Chris Lawrence of 4 Platoon; move north towards Chuam-ni as Chinese withdrew, c17/2/1951; Chinese stealing socks from dead black US soldiers in Pyongchon area, c15/2/1951; question of rumour of US troops caught in pyjamas by Chinese; digging-in, Chuam-ni, 18/2/1951; issue of unsuitable footwear; effects of thawing and freezing weather, c18/2/1951; reaction to attempt to place house 'out of bounds' and troops having to spend night outdoors, c19/2/1951. REEL 25 Continues: advance to south east of Chipyong-ni, c20/2/1951; need to have tinned food painted green for camouflage purposes; continued advance south east of Chipyong-ni; ability to smell former presence of Chinese troops; advance to south east of Yongdu-ri, c2/3/1951; an ineffective NCO, 3/1951; Chinese logged dug-outs; anxiety about fate of abandoned Korean wife whose husband was taken by unit as porter, 3/1951; Korean civilian offering food to soldiers; British officer's bizarre contact with US army; reaction to officer who claimed 'bad back', 3/1951; how Chinese were taken by surprise by Middlesex tactics of moving overland instead of using roads, 3/1951. REEL 26 Continues: view of Canadian infantry advancing under Chinese fire, 3/1951; support from Fleet Air Arm aircraft; move to Chongun-Myon area; 'cook off' problem with mortar fire; withdrawal of Chinese from strong positions, 3/1951; how Barrett became acting platoon commander, 3/1951; distinctive Turkish soldiers' trousers; disguised Chinese trenches, 3/1951; arrival of new sergeant-major and forming of troops into three ranks; opinion of work of battalion medical officer; charge across paddy fields to hill already abandoned by Chinese, 3/1951; description of Chinese slit-trench; handling of Korean porters; relief of unit by US troops; US troops stealing rations; entry into rest area, 14/3/1951. REEL 27 Continues: 27 Bde rest area, Huk-chon Valley, 14/3/1951-24/3/1951; near accident with rifle; news of leave in Japan, 3/1951; issue of beret and badge for leave; US method of organising air transport; US Army method of punishing offenders at Suwon airfield; smartness of 29 Bde; flight to Japan; aspects of leave in Japan, 3/1951 including arrival at Ebisu leave camp, reception by camp representative, showering system at Ebisu, work of female Japanese staff, treatment of soldiers on leave, 'no obligation to pay' system for soldiers on leave, encounters with Japanese civilians and drunken Japanese soldier, Tokyo cafe, sake drinking; tour of Tokyo, 'MacArthur will pay system'. REEL 28 Continues: aspects of leave in Japan, 3/1951 including plentiful supply of turkey in US barracks, method of getting good exchange rate for currency, relations with Japanese women, US soldiers attitude to British, relations with Australian troops in Tokyo, relaxed security Ebisu; attitude of Australian troops and reaction to leaving Ebisu for Korea; arriving back Suwon; record request to Charlie Chester by Korea POW; contents of A and B rations; change of commanding officer, 3/1951; commanding officer's concern about use of ammunition and misuse of boots; weather conditions; concern about return of malaria, 3/1951; removal from unit with malaria bout, late 3/1951. REEL 29 Continues: reception in US tented hospital; anxiety to get back to unit; reaction to not being able to stop rape of Korean; casualties among Canadian troops from drinking wood alcohol; problems re-joining unit; resuming command of section; inaccurate mortar bombs; rumours of return to battalion to Hong Kong; Queen's Coy and how it was created as a semi-integrated unit in battalion; move into Fish Hills area, c11/4/1951; incident of Maori taking pot shot at officer; B Coy's climb up Kipper Hill, north of Pung-Myon, 12/4/1951. REEL 30 Continues: occupation of Kipper Hill, 12/4/1951; issue of trip flares; vulnerablity of Kipper from Cod; Shooting star attack on Cod and other hills; question of booby-trapping of corpses; 4 Platoon's attack on Sardine, 13/4/1951; Chinese attack on Cod, 14/4/1951; use of air panel; suspicion of his morale being questioned; reluctance to kill Chinese soldier who was urinating; Chinese soldiers from Sardine who blundered into 4 Platoon; Barrett's treatment of soldier asleep on sentry duty; aid given to Australian soldier, c16/4/1951; Australian grenade casualty; attempt to use artificial moonlight, 4/1951; Australian occupation of Sardine and Salmon Hills, 16/4/1951. REEL 31 Continues: Chinese booby-trapping of Bangalore torpedo and attempt to blow it up; discovery of Chinese ammunition and safe conduct passes; arrival of ROK 6th Div, 17/4/1951; opinion of platoon sergeant who dropped out of march with foot blister, 17/4/1951; move to Kapyong rest area, Kangwon-do Valley; question of expectation of war being over for unit, period of rest in Kapyong Rest Area, 17/4/1951-22/4/1951; handing in of ammunition c22/4/1951; start of 5th Chinese offensive, south of Kumwha, 22/4/1951; re-issue of ammunition; 23/4/1951; orders to protect 16th Field Regt New Zealand Artillery, north of Kapyong, 23/4/1951; B Coy positions, Kwanam-ni; suspicion of Chinese occupying left flank of his section; question of patrolling his section's left flank, 23/4/1951. REEL 32 Continues: view of mass of men moving south, Kwanam-ni, 23/4/1951; question of machine gunners opening fire on retreating ROK troops; attitude of British troops to retreating ROK troops; suspicion of North Korean irregulars mixed up with retreating 6th Div ROK troops; conversation with wounded ROK soldier; climbing onto lorries by unit for retreat to Kapyong, 23/4/1951; defence of Kapyong Valley, 24/4/1951; rough handling of terrified ROK troops crowding into vehicles at Kapyong, 24/4/1951; problem distinguishing retreating ROK troops from advancing Chinese, 24/4/1951; Chinese opening fire on B Coy at Kapyong, 24/4/1951. REEL 33 Continues: withdrawal from Kapyong; platoon positions on hill slope to south west of Tungmudae Village, 24/4/1951; Chinese shell-fire; 'melee' with Korean troops; incident of comrade Jack Oates being killed; 24/4/1951; escape southwards from Tungmudae area under-fire; accounting for platoon's performance to regimental sergeant-major. REEL 34 Continues: competition of soldiers for possession of 45 sidearms; disposition of Middlesex troops south of Tungmudae in defensive positions, 24/4/1951; collection of unit casualties, 24/4/1951; retrieving officer's marked map of Fish Hills, 24/4/1951; helping wounded comrade from battlefield and problems of getting him to regimental aid post; application of field dressing to casualty's head wound; debate by Bren gunners about whether troops in distance were Chinese or Canadians; news of 28 Bde taking over from 27 Bde, 4/1951; lack of casualties from US shelling, 24/4/1951. REEL 35 Continues: US air drop to unit and other Allied troops, 4/1951; relief of unit by Australian troops in Tungmudae area; incident regarding unpopular orders to dig in on top of steep hill, 4/1951; withdrawal in vehicles; arrival of three New Zealand 'recruits'; failure of New Zealand recruits to dig in properly; use of sleeping bags in trenches; reaction of 1st Bn Middlesex Regt to hectoring from brigadier who mistook them for King's Own Scottish Borderers; US tanks painted with tigers in order to scare Chinese; igniting of petrol dump by shot from tank; move to rest area, Yangpyong in River Han Valley, 28/4/1951. REEL 36 Continues: displeasure of company commander about company sergeant-major's guard arrangements, 28/4/1951- 29/4/1951; formation of assault section in place of 6 Platoon and Barrett's appointment to command section, 29/4/1951; reversal of decision to form assault section; move to defensive positions north of River Han; constructions of trenches, 1/5/1951; strengthening positions during quiet period, 1/5/1951-10/5/1951; soldier with personal morale problem; abandoning of order to advance from defensive positions, 5/1951; alarm shots fired at deer, 5/1951; banter between 1st Bn Middlesex Regt and Australian troops replacing them, 5/1951. REEL 37 Continues: handover to King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 13/5/1951; sleeping arrangements, Inchon; embarkation and reply of Middlesex soldier to US sailor who enquired 'How many have you killed with your LMG ?'. Voyage from Korea to Hong Kong, 5/1951: conditions aboard ship; bulling-up of kit for return to Hong Kong; near grenade accident; Albuhera Day, 16/5/1951. Period with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt and hospitalisation Hong Kong, 1951: arrival 5/1951; accommodation in Nissen huts; relaxation; reaction of unit to being put on divisional scheme, 5/1951; how Barrett was shot through hand with blank in accident; attention he got for wound; fear of losing hand; mishandling of patient with rectal problem. REEL 38 Continues: conditions of other hospital patients at Kowloon; altercation with sister about sweeping of ward; order to be sent home to have finger amputated; loss of rank whilst in hospital; award of commanding officer's certificate of merit. Voyage from Hong Kong to GB aboard Empire Orwell, 1951: problems of embarking; question of wearing brigade and divisional badges; role working in mental ward; panic in mental ward during ship's lifeboat drill; soldiers being sent to GB for detention punishment; story of betrayal of sentry by defaulters. Period of hospitialisation and with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt in GB, 1951: disembarking at Southampton; return home to Hampton Wick, c8/1951; becoming patient Aldershot Hospital; problems of getting on rations strength of hospital; story heard about Chinese infantry tactics towards British tanks in Korea; decision not to amputate his fingers; return to 1st Bn Middlesex Regt, Mill Hill, autumn 1951; demobilisation procedure. REEL 39 Continues: Period with Territorial Army and Army Reserve, 1951-1964: posting to 6th Bn East Surrey Regt; requirements for camps and training periods; opinion of training methods of commanding officer; promotion to sergeant; sergeants' mess formalities; tradition of sergeants' rough handling of young officers; problems caused in training exercises by increased reconnaissance capacity of aircraft; incident of insect phobia at Sandgate Camp; Nijmegen Walks in Netherlands, c1953-1954; parade in Kingston upon Thames after walks; volunteering for airborne 8th Bn Middlesex Regt. REEL 40 Continues: Army Reserve period from c1955; reaction to Suez crisis, 11/1956; return to 6th Bn East Surrey Regt; question of promotion according to number of medals an individual possessed; attitude to conflict in Kenya, 1950s; change of unit to 4th Queen's Royal Surrey Regt, 1959; leaving Territorial Army and going onto Army General Reserve, 12/1961; mobilisations, 1961-1962; end of military service, 1964; reaction to Cuba Missile Crisis and nuclear war casualties. Recollection of period with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt, Korea 1950-1951: survival of comrade Ken Sutton; question of unit being kept away from King's Shropshire Light Infantry who took over from them; reaction to comrades to formation of assault section. REEL 41 Continues: problems of getting orders obeyed in last days of service; desire of troops for 45 automatics; attitude towards serving in Korea; question of leadership of unit; lack of interest in political aspects of war and fighting for United Nations; loyalty to 27 Bde and Brigadier Coad; reaction to story that 1st Bn Middlesex Regt would not fight for Fish Hills; Chinese units use of Korean irregulars; question of rank of eye witness and whom historians believe; his feelings about having done National Service; difference between role of conscripts and regulars; effects of war; story of photograph taken of medium machine gun team. REEL 42 Continues: Question of accuracy of memories; question of Communist soldiers wearing red stars; myth of germ warfare; question of memory and motivation; opinion that Gloucestershire Regt stole glory from 27 Bde; lack of historical recognition for English county regiments; character of 'ration honours'.