Interview with Donald Frank Barrett

British civilian in Kingston upon Thames, GB, 1939-1945; private and NCO served with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own), 27th Infantry Bde in Hong Kong, 1950; NCO served with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own), 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in North and South Korea, 8/1950-5/1951

REEL 1 Background in Whitchurch-on-Thames, GB, 1931-1939: family; education. Recollections of period as schoolchild in Kingston upon Thames in GB, 1939-1945: German Air Force bombing in area; narrow escape from bombs which straddled air raid shelter and house; heavy German Air Force bombing of Hampton Wick; German V weapon attacks, 1944-1945; sight of Italian Air Force bomber during Battle of Britain; personal morale during German Air Force bombing; visits to United States Army camp at Bushy Park; effect of war on education; public morale in Kingston upon Thames; shock of fall of France, 25/6/1940; anticipation of German invasion, 1940; joining Army Cadet Force, 1944; victory celebrations 1945. Aspects of enlistment and training with British Army at Shorncliffe Camp, GB, 1949: call-up for National Service, 9/1949; nature of basic training; why he decided not to go for commission; question of never turning down offers of promotion in British Army; attitude of training NCOs and officers; training with Home Counties Training Bde; opinion of NCOs in charge of continuation training. REEL 2 Continues: passing-out parade; draft to Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge's Own) and move to No 2 Holding Coy. Recollections of voyage aboard HMT Empire Orwell from GB to Hong Kong, 1950: seasickness in Bay of Biscay; astonishment of shops stacked with British goods unobtainable in GB at Port Said, Egypt; voyage through Suez Canal, Egypt; bum boats and misbehaviour of soldiers towards vendors at Port Said, Egypt; effect of Independence on traders in Colombo, Ceylon; shore leave in Singapore, Federation of Malaya; weather conditions crossing South China Sea; suffering from sunburn; arrival in Hong Kong. Recollection of period as private and NCO with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own), 27th Infantry Bde in Hong Kong, 1950: accommodation and skin diseases contracted by troops at Fan Ling Camp; prior recollections of experiences at Shorncliffe Camp, GB. 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' at Government House; promotion to lance corporal; incident of falling into monsoon ditch on guard duty, 6/1950; training with Training Platoon, summer 1950; poisonous centipede menace at Kai Tak; problems of jaundice; news of posting to South Korea, 8/1950. REEL 4 Continues: preparations for move to South Korea and his allocation to 6 Platoon, B Coy, 8/1950; embarkation aboard HMS Unicorn, 8/1950. Aspects of voyage aboard HMS Unicorn from Hong Kong to South Korea, 8/1950: send off from Hong Kong; anti-aircraft drill; conditions on board. Recollections of operations as NCO with 6 Platoon, B Coy 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own), 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde in South and North Korea, 8/1950-5/1951: entry into harbour at Pusan, South Korea, 8/1950; reception in Pusan, South Korea; opinion of 'defeatism' of British Army officer who spoke to battalion at Pusan, South Korea, 8/1950; slow train journey to reserve area of 24th Infantry Div, United States Army; cold conditions during first night in South Korea; question of dealing with occupied villages; United States Army's relations with Korean civilians; training as flame-thrower operator; advance to Taegu, South Korea, 3/9/1950; dawn stand to and United States Army personnel's astonishment of this custom; Korean civilians' dress. REEL 5 Continues: manning observation post on Boot Hill, South Korea; positions on River Naktong, South Korea; corpses buried on Boot Hill, South Korea; move to new position on River Naktong, South Korea; withdrawal from positions; faulty fuses on United States Artillery shells; arrival of mail from home; mosquito scourge; flooding of trenches; patrolling Naktong Valley, South Korea, 9/1950; battalion crossing of River Naktong, South Korea; move to concentration area under North Korean People's Army artillery fire. REEL 6 Continues: account of operations Hill 325 later known as 'Middlesex Hill', Naktong Valley, South Korea; 9/1950 including United States Air Force accidental napalm attack on 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's), near Hill 325 and burial of dead. REEL 7 Continues: question of shaving in front line; drive into Songju, South Korea, 26/9/1950; start of feeling cold in South Korea, 9/1950; patrol from Songju, South Korea; 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 battalion to Kimpo Airfield, South Korea, 5/10/1950; issue of United States Army rations at Kimpo Airfield, South Korea; advance to Kaesong, South Korea and onto Sariwon, North Korea, 10/1950; sight of North Koreans being sent south; Sariwon, North Korea, 10/1950; choking dust of Sariwon-Pyongyang advance, North Korea, 10/1950. REEL 8 Continues: role as first United Nations' troops into Pyongyang, North Korea, 10/1950; mass grave discovered near Pyongyang, North Korea, 19/10/1950; question of tanks running over corpses on roads, 10/1950; capture of Yongyu, North Korea, 22/10/1950; North Korean People's Army uniforms; sight of wounded North Korean People's Army prisoners of war at Yongyu, North Korea, 22/10/1950; sight of member of 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt executing North Korean People's Army prisoners of war; North Korean dead on approach to Sukchon, North Korea, 23/10/1950; shortage of rations for battalion on advance, 23/10/1950; sight of knocked-out T-34 Tanks; crossing River Chongchon, near Sinanju, North Korea, 24/10/1950; feast on looted chicken, 10/1950; advance on Pakchon, North Korea, 26/10/1950; battalion casualties from T-34 Tank shell, 26/10/1950. REEL 9 Continues: incident of Korean civilian watching tank engagement; discovery of abandoned North Korean PPsh-41 machine gun, 10/1950; North Korean use of civilians as human shields; action around Chongju, North Korea; clearing village after company commander killed, near Chongju, North Korea; covering withdrawal from village; how he got rid of PPsh-41 machine gun; burial of comrade; move for four day rest to Taechon, North Korea, 31/10/1950; reaction to People's Republic of China's entry into war, 11/1950; patrolling at Taechon, North Korea; story illustrating power of company clerks at Taechon, North Korea, 11/1950; withdrawal from Taechon, North Korea. REEL 10 Continues: start of retreat south, 11/1950; arrival at Pakchon, North Korea, 11/1950; extreme cold, 11/1950; church service; 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt troops' preparations for action against Chinese People's Volunteer Army in Pakchon area, North Korea, 11/1950; orders to organise bath-house for troops, 11/1950; questionable defensive skills of United States Army tankmen; night guard duties; Chinese People's Volunteer Army assault on Australian positions, north of Sinanju, North Korea, 6/11/1950; question of Brigadier Aubrey Coad's annoyance with tactics of Australian commanding officer of 3rd Royal Australian Regt, Lieutenant-Colonel Ian Fergusson, 6/11/50, who was a replacement for Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Green, who had died of wounds, 1/11/1950. REEL 11 Continues: withdrawal of United Nations' troops southwards; subdued demeanour of 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt troops, 7/11/1950; unit under Chinese People's Volunteer Army tank fire from Pakchon, North Korea, 7/11/1950; civilian girl who resisted being searched; arrest of two civilians attempting to infiltrate through battalion lines, 8/11/1950; United Nations' retaliation against Chinese People's Volunteer Army tanks in Pakchon, North Korea; patrol onto battlefield at Pakchon, North Korea, 11/1950 including lorries and anti-tank gun abandoned by 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt, marking position of bodies on battlefield, reaction to sight of two civilian corpses in Sunday best holding hands, sight of napalmed body and suspicion of 'South Korean' patrol, 9/11/1950. REEL 12 Continues: interview with commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Man and promotion to corporal, 13/11/1950; cold weather conditions, night 13/11/1950; failure to make use of abandoned Australian greatcoats; advance of unit north through Kujin, North Korea, 14/11/1950; contact with civilians at Kujin, North Korea, 14/11/1950; capture of Chinese People's Volunteer army quarter-master's store near Kujin, North Korea; recapture of Pakchon, North Korea, 16/11/1950; memories of Colour Sergeant 'Give 'em Rice' O'Keefe; move of unit in soaking rain north east of Pakchon, North Korea, 17/11/1950; view of Brigadier Aubrey Coad moving forward in Willys Jeep. REEL 13 Continues: Brigadier Aubrey Coad's displeasure about troops' wearing of non-camouflage scarves; patrol towards 1st Bn Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) positions; petrol shortage, 16/11/1950-26/11/1950; Thanksgiving Day, 23/11/1950; news of move to Kunu-ri, North Korea; journey to Kunu-ri, via Pakchon, North Korea, 27/11/1950; issue of dishcloths to act as scarves; sight of Turkish Army troops; first realisation of United Nations' forces in full retreat, 28/11/1950; sending Christmas cards home; issue of socks and gloves; start of retreat southwards from Kunu-ri, North Korea; wearing peak hats; sight of American 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, North Korea, 11/1950; incident of unit member whose morale cracked. REEL 14 Continues: exhaustion on march south from Kunu-ri, North Korea; hitching lift on United States Army ammunition lorry; arrival at Sunchon and move to Chasan, North Korea, 28/11/1950; orders to return north up Kunu-ri Pass to clear roadblock, North Korea, 29/11/1950; finding dead United States Army colonel in Willys Jeep; conversation with M4 Sherman Tank crew north of Choptong-ni about situation in Taedong Valley, North Korea, 29/11/1950; attempt to clear roadblock under-fire at Yongwon-ni, North Korea, 29/11/1950; withdrawal back from roadblock to Choptong-ni, North Korea, 29/11/1950; orders to hold southern end of Kunu-ri Pass, North Korea. REEL 15 Continues: acquiring first Chinese People's Volunteer Army prisoner of war, 30/11/1950; deployment of unit; incident of how troops went to rescue of wounded Korean civilian female; United Nations' casualties amongst troops who ran gauntlet in Kunu-ri Pass, North Korea; refusal of permission to go to aid of wounded United States Army troops; sight of mass of Republic of Korea (ROK) troops retreating in Suchon area, North Korea; extreme cold during retreat by lorry towards Suchon and Chasan; North Korea, 30/11/1950; meeting with journalists including Alan Whicker and Randolph Churchill near Chasan, North Korea, 30/11/1950. REEL 16 Continues: sight of 2nd Infantry Div, United States Army moving through Chasan, North Korea, 1/12/1950; opinion of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Man and Brigadier Aubrey Coad; battalion's taking over defence of Chasan, North Korea, 1/12/1950; shortage of NCOs in unit; incident of falling asleep on stand-to, 1/12/1950; sight of execution of civilians possibly by Republic of Korea (ROK) troops, near Chasan, North Korea, 1/12/1950; self-wounding of soldier in A Coy, 2/12/1950; move of unit eastwards towards Yopa-ri, North Korea, 2/12/1950; photographers taking pictures of Australian medium machine gunners at Yopa-ri, North Korea, 3/12/1950. REEL 17 Continues: use of United States Army vehicles for journey from Yopa-ri towards Pyongyang, North Korea, 4/12/1950; reception of brigade by 29th British Infantry Bde, 4/12/1950; sight of burning stores in Pyongyang, North Korea, 4/12/1950; retreat from Pyongyang, North Korea; unit role guarding Headquarters, I Corps, United States Army in Suan area; 5/12/1950; incident of having to discipline soldier in section; displeasure of Headquarters, I Corps, Untied States Army about battalion's use of bugle, 6/12/1950; reaction to retreat of United Nations' forces towards South Korea, 6/12/1950; arrival Sibyon-ni, North Korea, 9/12/1950; suspicion about purpose of fires in hills; reaction to lack of United Nations' resistance to Chinese People's Volunteer Army advance, 10/12/1950; sight of civilians moving south of 38th Parallel, 10/12/1950; construction of hut at Uijongbu, South Korea, 12/1950. REEL 18 Continues: question of suitability of reinforcements from 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt at Uijongbu, South Korea, 12/1950; incident with drunken United State Army soldiers; acquisition of American Carbine; organisation of 'Shanty town'; opinion of new officer, John Swarbrick; suspicion of friendly civilian woman; incident of civilian carrying empty wardrobe to Pusan, South Korea, 12/1950; heavy snow at Uijongbu, South Korea, 12/1950; improvement of rations; Christmas in Uijongbu, South Korea, 25/12/1950; raids on United States Army troops rations by 6 Platoon and retaliatory raids by United States Army troops on battalion ration supply. REEL 19 Continues: reaction of 29th British Infantry Bde troops to sight of battalion members cracking lice, 12/1950; story relating to ease with which accidents can happen in training; concern about being demoted from corporal to lance corporal; beginning of Chinese People's Volunteer Army offensive and retreat south from Uijongbu, South Korea, 1/1/1951; denying equipment to advancing Chinese People's Volunteer Army, 1/1/1951; encounter with American soldier originally from Clapham, GB in perimeter at Seoul, South Korea, 3/1/1951; sight of Seoul from peak overlooking city, South Korea, 3/1/1951; issue of rations, 3/1/1951; question of unit being cut off in Seoul, South Korea, 4/1/1951. REEL 20 Continues: evacuation of defences on north side of Seoul, South Korea, 4/1/1951; move to Suwon, South Korea, 4/1/1951; journey in which he became unconscious from carbon monoxide poisoning from tank fumes on route to Icheon, South Korea, 5/1/1951; accident to section during retreat to Icheon, South Korea; establishment of brigade defensive positions north of Chungju, South Korea, 6/1/1951; meal with civilians near Changhowon-ni, South Korea, 6/1/1951; night in snow without sentries; issue of inflammable sleeping bags, 1/1951; positions and weather conditions at Changhowon-ni, South Korea, 9/1/1951. REEL 21 Continues: perfecting defensive positions at Chanhowon-ni, South Korea; story relating to Irishman serving in company who was alarmed by cow; calf which went into stewpot, 1/1951; venereal disease case in unit; sickness in unit; issue of cold weather clothing; arrival of 16th Field Regt, Royal New Zealand Artillery; incident of civilian indifferent to artillery salvo; effect of cold on artillery's range; 'Black Boris' winner of dirty feet competition; suffering from influenza; reconnaissance patrol in fog, 1/1951; ease with which unit positions could be located, execution of fog patrol, encounter with alleged Republic of Korea (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 to be pulled out of front line; long period of unconsciousness in care of Indian medical unit; attentions of Sikh medical personnel; malaria outbreak in 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde; return to unit, 4/2/1951; 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; United States Army troops taking exception to British Army troops' 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; battalion attack on Hill 112 on Yoju-Chipyong road, South Korea, 14/2/1951 including Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack on A Coy, A Coy counter-attack, sight of Chinese dead, capture of Chinese weaponry, Chinese People's Volunteer Army's use of converted Bren Gun, 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 People's Volunteer Army wounded who congregated in circles, 15/2/1951; commanding officer Lieutenant-Colonel 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 psychological breakdown, 15/2/1951; award of Military Cross to Lieutenant Chris Lawrence, 21/9/1950; move north towards Chuam-ni, South Korea as Chinese People's Volunteer Army withdrew, 17/2/1951; Chinese People's Volunteer Army stealing of socks from dead black United States Army troops in Pyongchon area, South Korea, 15/2/1951; question of rumour of United States Army troops caught in pyjamas by Chinese People's Volunteer Army; digging-in at Chuam-ni, South Korea, 18/2/1951; issue of unsuitable footwear; effects of thawing and freezing weather, 18/2/1951; reaction to attempt to place house 'out of bounds' and troops having to spend night outdoors, 19/2/1951. REEL 25 Continues: advance to south east of Chipyong-ni, South Korea, 20/2/1951; need to have tinned food painted green for camouflage purposes; continued advance south east of Chipyong-ni, South Korea; ability to smell former presence of Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops; advance to south east of Yongdu-ri, South Korea, 2/3/1951; presence of an ineffective NCO, 3/1951; Chinese People's Volunteer Army 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 United States Army; reaction to officer who claimed 'bad back', 3/1951; how Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops were taken by surprise by battalion tactics of moving overland instead of using roads, 3/1951. REEL 26 Continues: sight of Canadian Army infantry advancing under Chinese People's Volunteer Army fire, 3/1951; support from Fleet Air Arm aircraft; move to Chongun-Myon area, south Korea; 'cook off' problem with mortar fire; withdrawal of Chinese People's Volunteer Army from strong positions, 3/1951; how he became acting platoon commander, 3/1951; distinctive Turkish Army soldiers' trousers; disguised Chinese People's Volunteer Army 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 People's Volunteer Army, 3/1951; description of Chinese People's Volunteer Army slit-trench; handling of Korean porters; relief of unit by United States Army troops; Untied States Army troops stealing of rations; entry into rest area, 14/3/1951. REEL 27 Continues: 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde's rest area in Huk-chon Valley, South Korea, 14/3/1951-24/3/1951; near accident with rifle; news of leave in Japan, 3/1951; issue of beret and badge for leave; American method of organising air transport; United States Army method of punishing offenders at Suwon Airfield; smartness of 29th British Infantry Bde; flight to Japan; aspects of leave in Japan, 3/1951 including arrival at leave camp at Ebisu, 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 on 'MacArthur Will Pay System'. REEL 28 Continues: aspects of leave in Japan, 3/1951 including plentiful supply of turkey in United States Army barracks, method of getting good exchange rate for currency, relations with Japanese women, United States forces' attitude towards British, relations with Australian Army troops in Tokyo, relaxed security Ebisu; attitude of Australian Army troops and personal reaction to leaving Ebisu for South Korea; arriving back Suwon; record request to Charlie Chester by Korean prisoner of war; 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 American tented hospital; anxiety to get back to unit; reaction to not being able to stop rape of Korean; casualties among Canadian Army troops from drinking wood alcohol; problems rejoining 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 soldier taking pot shot at officer; B Coy's climb up Kipper Hill, north of Pung-Myon, South Korea, 12/4/1951. REEL 30 Continues: occupation of Kipper Hill, South Korea, 12/4/1951; issue of trip flares; vulnerability of Kipper Hill from Cod Hill, South Korea; United States Air Force P-80 Shooting Star attack on Cod Hill and other hills, South Korea; question of booby-trapping of corpses; 4 Platoon's attack on Sardine Hill, South Korea, 13/4/1951; Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack on Cod Hill, South Korea, 14/4/1951; use of air panel; suspicion of his morale being questioned; reluctance to kill Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier who was urinating; Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops from Sardine Hill, South Korea who blundered into 4 Platoon; his treatment of soldier asleep on sentry duty; aid given to Australian soldier from 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt, 16/4/1951; grenade casualty in 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt; attempt to use artificial moonlight, 4/1951; 3rd Bn Royal Australian Regt occupation of Sardine and Salmon Hills, South Korea, 16/4/1951. REEL 31 Continues: Chinese People's Volunteer Army's booby-trapping of Bangalore Torpedo and attempt to blow it up; discovery of Chinese People's Volunteer Army ammunition and safe conduct passes; arrival of 6th Republic of Korea (ROK) Div, 17/4/1951; opinion of platoon sergeant who dropped out of march with foot blister, 17/4/1951; move to Kapyong rest area in Kangwon-do Valley, South Korea; question of expectation of war being over for unit, period of rest in Kapyong Rest Area, South Korea, 17/4/1951-22/4/1951; handing in of ammunition 22/4/1951; start of Chinese People's Volunteer Army offensive, south of Kumwha, South Korea, 22/4/1951; reissue of ammunition, 23/4/1951; orders to protect 16th Field Regt Royal New Zealand Artillery, north of Kapyong, South Korea, 23/4/1951; B Coy positions at Kwanam-ni, South Korea; suspicion of Chinese People's Volunteer Army occupying left flank of his section; question of patrolling his section's left flank, 23/4/1951. REEL 32 Continues: sight of mass of men moving south at Kwanam-ni, South Korea, 23/4/1951; question of machine gunners opening fire on retreating Republic of Korea (ROK) troops; attitude of British troops to retreating Republic of Korea (ROK) troops; suspicion of North Korean irregulars mixed up with retreating 6th Div Republic of Korea (ROK) troops; conversation with wounded Republic of Korea (ROK) soldier; climbing onto lorries by unit for retreat to Kapyong, South Korea, 23/4/1951; defence of Kapyong Valley, South Korea, 24/4/1951; rough handling of terrified Republic of Korea (ROK) troops crowding into vehicles at Kapyong, South Korea, 24/4/1951; problem distinguishing retreating Republic of Korea (ROK) troops from advancing Chinese People's Volunteer Army, 24/4/1951; Chinese People's Volunteer Army opening fire on B Coy at Kapyong, South Korea, 24/4/1951. REEL 33 Continues: withdrawal from Kapyong, South Korea; platoon positions on hill slope to south west of village of Tungmudae, South Korea, 24/4/1951; Chinese People's Volunteer Army fire; 'melee' with Korean troops; incident of comrade Private Jack Oates being killed, 24/4/1951; escape under fire southwards from Tungmudae, South Korea; accounting for platoon's performance to regimental sergeant-major. REEL 34 Continues: competition of soldiers for possession of side arms; disposition of battalion in defensive positions, south of Tungmudae, South Korea, 24/4/1951; collection of unit casualties, 24/4/1951; retrieving officer's marked map of Fish Hills, South Korea, 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 Gun operators about whether troops in distance were Chinese People's Volunteer Army or Canadian troops; news of 28th Commonwealth Infantry Bde taking over from 27 Commonwealth Infantry Bde, 4/1951; lack of casualties from American artillery fire, 24/4/1951. REEL 35 Continues: United States Air Force 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 (Duke of Cambridge's Own)) to hectoring from brigadier who mistook them for 1st Bn King's Own Scottish Borderers; sight of United States Army tanks painted with tigers in order to scare Chinese forces; igniting of petrol dump by shot from tank; move to rest area at Yangpyong in valley of River Han, South Korea, 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, South Korea; 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 battalion and Australian Army troops replacing them, 5/1951. REEL 37 Continues: handover to 1st Bn King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 13/5/1951; sleeping arrangements at Inchon, South Korea; embarkation and reply of battalion member to United States Navy 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. Aspects of period as NCO with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own) and hospitalisation in Hong Kong, 1951: arrival in Hong Kong, 5/1951; accommodation and relaxation; reaction of battalion to being put on divisional scheme, 5/1951; how he 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. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Empire Orwell from Hong Kong to GB, 1951: problems of embarking; question of wearing brigade and divisional badges; role working in psychological ward; panic in psychological ward during ship's lifeboat drill; soldiers being sent to GB for detention punishment; story of betrayal of sentry by defaulters. Aspects of period of hospitalisation and with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own) in GB, 1951: disembarkation at Southampton; return home to Hampton Wick, 8/1951; becoming patient Aldershot Hospital; problems of getting on rations strength of hospital; story heard about Chinese People's Volunteer Army infantry tactics towards British tanks in Korea; decision not to amputate his fingers; return to battalion at Mill Hill, autumn 1951; demobilisation procedure. REEL 39 Continues: Recollections of period as NCO with Territorial Army and Army Reserve in GB, 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; attending Nijmegen Walks in Netherlands, 1953-1954; parade in Kingston upon Thames after walks; volunteering for airborne 8th Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own). REEL 40 Continues: Army Reserve period from 1955; reaction to Suez Crisis, 1956; return to 6th Bn East Surrey Regt; question of promotion according to number of medals an individual possessed; attitude towards Kenyan Emergency; change of unit name to 4th Queen's Royal Surrey Regt, 1959; leaving Territorial Army and going onto Army General Reserve, 12/1961; mobilisation exercises, 1961-1962; end of military service, 1964; reaction to Cuba Missile Crisis and nuclear war casualties. Recollection of period with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own) in North and South Korea, 8/1950-5/1951: survival of comrade Corporal Kenneth Sutton; question of unit being kept away from 1st Bn 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 automatic pistol; attitude towards serving in Korean War; question of leadership of battalion; lack of interest in political aspects of war and fighting for United Nations; loyalty to 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde and Brigadier Aubrey Coad; reaction to story that battalion would not fight for Fish Hills, South Korea; Chinese People's Volunteer Army's 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 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regt stole glory from 27th Commonwealth Infantry Bde; lack of historical recognition for English county regiments; nature of 'ration honours'.