Interview with Denis Howell Prout

British NCO served with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn South Lancashire Regt (The Prince of Wales's Volunteers), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in Palestine and Egypt, 1946-1947; served with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde in North and South Korea, 1950-1951

REEL 1 Background in Wallasey, GB, 1926-1939: family; education. Aspects of period as schoolchild in Wallasey, GB, 1939-1944: German Air Force incendiary attack on Bidston Hill; bombs in Leasowe area; bombs around bank telephone exchange; Mersey Railway underground stations used as air raid shelters; public attitudes towards war in Liverpool; attitude towards Germans and Nazi leadership; opinion of William Joyce 'Lord Haw Haw' and Prime Minister Winston Churchill's radio broadcasts. Aspects of enlistment and training with British Army in GB, 1944: call-up for military service, 1944; attending Army Physical Training Centre at Skegness. Recollections of operations as NCO with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn South Lancashire Regt (The Prince of Wales's Volunteers), 8th Infantry Bde, 3rd Infantry Div in Palestine and Egypt, 1946-1947: witnessing explosion at King David Hotel in Jerusalem, 22/7/1946; Jewish insurgents throwing hand grenades into military compounds in Jerusalem; handling of Jewish immigrants; house searches in Haifa; activities of 'kliftiwallahs'; story of being intoxicated at social event; degree of danger experienced; interrogation of security suspects. REEL 2 Continues: role and duties; nature of service in Canal Zone, Egypt; demobilisation in GB, 1948. Recollections of operations as NCO with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde in South and North Korea, 10/1950-10/1951: background to volunteering to serve in Korean War, 1950; voyage aboard HMT Empire Fowey from GB to South Korea including living conditions on board and weather conditions, 9/1950; arrival in Pusan, South Korea, 10/1950; initial impressions of South Korea; medical injections received; transformation of life in post-war South Korea; winter conditions, 1950-1951; searching refugees for arms, North Korea, 11/1950; winter clothing available; accommodation and sleeping arrangements; frozen alcohol issue, 31/12/1950; attempt to deal with lice problem. Recollections of operations as NCO with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde during the Battle of River Imjin, South Korea, 4/1951: start of battle, 22/4/1951; how battle pre-empted St George's Day celebrations. REEL 3 Continues: redeployment of companies; failure of United States Army troops to take hill, 23/4/1951; attempts to take reinforcements up to front line, 25/4/1951; exchange of grenades with Chinese People's Volunteer Army troops during reconnaissance patrol; duties spotting for 8th King's Royal Irish Hussars; how Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier attempting to surrender was shot by his own men; withdrawal southwards riding on 8th King's Royal Hussar Centurion Tanks, 25/4/1951; death of soldier on Centurion Tank; shooting at Chinese People's Volunteer Army soldier; re-capitulation of experiences during Battle of River Imjin, South Korea, 4/1951. REEL 4 Continues: Aspects of operations as NCO with Intelligence Section, Headquarters Coy, 1st Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 29th British Infantry Bde in South Korea, 4/1951-10/1951: under Chinese People's Volunteer Army mortar fire, 10/1951; further re-capitulation of Battle of River Imjin and after effects to battle; character of beer at Yong Dong Po; period of relaxation, summer 1951; last action of unit, 10/1951; voyage aboard HMT Georgic from South Korea to GB, 10/1951-11/1951; attitude to having served in Korean War and military service.