Interview with Jack Hunt

British private served with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own) in Hong Kong, 10/1951-2/1951; served with 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 3/1952-9/1952

REEL 1 Background in Norwich and Sprowston, GB, 1933-1951: social circumstances; period living in children's home and relatives following death of mother; education; employment in electrical factory, 1947-1951; recreational activities. Aspects of training as private with East Anglian Bde Depot, Blenheim Camp, Bury St Edmunds, GB, 4/1951-9/1951: call-up for National Service, 4/1951; reception and kitting out; hutted accommodation; rations; drill; weapons training including rifle, Bren Gun, Sten Gun, bayonet and hand grenades; physical training; cigarette smoking; tactical training; relations with other recruits. REEL 2 Continues: relations with instructors; preparations for kit inspections; canteen; visits to Bury St Edmunds; guard duty; embarkation leave. Aspects of voyage aboard HMT Empire Pride from GB to Hong Kong, 9/1951-10/1951: question of seasickness; visits ashore. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge's Own), Fan Ling Camp, New Territories, Hong Kong, 10/1951-2/1952: living conditions; tactical exercises; training as assault pioneer including demolition, laying and clearing minefields, digging trenches, explosives and fuses; opinion of Private Bob Guess; visits to Kowloon; posting with reinforcement draft to South Korea. REEL 3 Continues: Aspects of period on draft in Kure Transit Camp, Japan, 2/1952-3/1952: voyage aboard HMS Unicorn from Hong Kong to Kure, Japan, 2/1952; period in Kure Transit Camp, 2/1952-3/1952. Recollections of operations as private with 7th Platoon, C Coy, 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, 29th British Infantry Bde, 1st Commonwealth Div in South Korea, 3/1952-9/1952: journey to join battalion in Samichon Valley; reserve role; dugouts; work improving defences; rations; latrines and washing; nature of listening and ambush patrols; attachment to 1st Bn Welsh Regt at Hill 355; story of night ambush attempts by C Coy, subsequent Chinese People's Volunteer Army ambush of B Coy and moving forward to rescue casualties; listening post duty; Chinese People's Volunteer Army mortar fire; temporary role with Bren Gun team following fatal accident; Chinese artillery fire during meals; canteen lorries; question of beer ration. REEL 4 Continues: United State Air Force napalm attacks; relations with NCOs; story of NCO disciplining absent sentries; relations with officers; story of Chinese artillery fire during cinema show; visit by concert party; move back to rest camp; effects of Chinese artillery fire on rest camp and question of absence of Koreans; patrols searching for Koreans; leaving South Korea, 9/1952. Aspects of period as private with 1st Bn Royal Norfolk Regt at Norwegian Farm Camp, New Territories, Hong Kong, 9/1952-12/1952: listening post duties in hill above border with People's Republic of China; training exercises; recreational activities including story of getting drunk; sweat rash; hospitalisation with cyst caused by childhood head injury. Aspects of medical evacuation and hospitalisation in Queen Alexandra Military Hospital, Millbank, London, GB, 12/1952-1/1953: flight back to GB, 12/1952; disciplinary problem with matron in Queen Alexandra Military Hospital; operation to remove cyst; minimal duties prior to demobilisation at Royal Norfolk Regiment Regimental Depot, Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 4/1953. REEL 5 Continues: Aspects of return to civilian life and career: background to change to work as builder; question of remaining in army; service with 4th Bn Royal Norfolk Regt, Territorial Army in Norwich, 1953-1957 including, annual camps, training and story of being disciplined by and opinion of Sergeant Alex Barr; membership of British Korean Veterans Association and Royal Norfolk Regimental Association.