Interview with Thomas Barrie

British NCO served with 1st Bn Black Watch (Royal Highland Regt), 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 6/1952-6/1953

REEL 1 Background in Kilsyth, GB, 1932-1951: family; education; employment. Aspects of enlistment and training with British Army in GB, Mediterranean, Libya and Malta, 1951: call-up for National Service with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's) at Fort George, GB, 1951; reaction to basic training; transfer to 1st Bn Highland Light Infantry; move to Tobruk, Libya; two week period on board tank landing craft in Mediterranean; transfer to Malta, 12/1951; becoming mortar man. Recollections of operations as NCO with 1st Bn Black Watch (Royal Highland Regt), 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 6/1952-7/1953: posting to battalion; voyage aboard HMT Empire Orwell from GB to South Korea, 4/1952-6/1952; reception in Pusan, 6/1952; initial impressions of South Korea; loss of soldier whilst swimming in River Imjin; move into front line at Hill 210; move to prepared positions at Yong Dong Po; conditions in dug outs; move to The Hook, 10/1952; United States Marine Corps marine tactics on The Hook; improving positions on The Hook. REEL 2 Continues: daily routine on The Hook; guarding Chinese People's Volunteer Army prisoner of war; start Chinese People's Volunteer Army attack on The Hook, night-time 18/11/1952; wounding of soldier; reaction to withdrawal and preparations to counter-attack C Coy's former positions; relief by Canadian Army troops, 19/11/1942; promotion to lance corporal with mortar platoon; reasons why he was with D Coy, 11/1952; reaction to return to The Hook, 5/1953; reaction to ending of National Service, 5/1953; memories of Coronation Day in Kure, Japan, 6/1953; return to GB and reception at Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) Regimental Depot, Queen's Barracks, Perth.