Hunt, Jack (Oral history)

British private served with 1st Bn Middlesex Regt in Hong Kong, 1951-1951; served with 1st Bn Norfolk Regt in Korea and Hong Kong, 1952-1953,

REEL 1 Recollections of background in Norwich and Sprowston, 1933-1951: social circumstances; period living in children's home and relatives following death of mother; education; work in electrical factory, 1947-1951; recreations; call up, 4/1951. Recollections of conditions of service, lifestyle and daily routine during period with East Anglian Bde Depot, Blenheim Camp, Bury St Edmunds, 4/1951-9/1951: reception and kitting out; hut accommodation; food rations; drill; weapons training including rifle, Bren gun, Sten gun, bayonet and hand grenades; PT; cigarette smoking; tactical training; relationship with recruits. REEL 2 Continues: relationship with recruits and instructors; preparations for kit inspections; canteen; recreational visits to Bury St Edmunds; guard duty; embarkation leave. Voyage with draft aboard Empire Pride to Hong Kong, 9/1951-10/1951: question of seasickness; visits ashore. Period attached to 1st Bn, Middlesex Regt, Fan Ling Camp, New Territories, Hong Kong, 10/1951-2/1952: conditions of service; 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 Korea. REEL 3 Voyage aboard HMS Unicorn to Kurie, Japan, 2/1952. Period in Kurie, Transit Camp, 2/1952-3/1952. Recollections of period with 7th Platoon, C Coy, 1st Bn, Royal Norfolk Regt in Korea, 3/1952-8/1952: journey to join unit in Sami Chon sector; reserve role; dugouts; work improving defences; food rations; latrines and washing; natue of listening and ambush patrols; attachment to 1st BN, Welsh Regt at Hill 355, Kownag San sector; story of night ambush attempts by C Coy, subsequent Chinese ambush of B Coy and moving forward to rescue casualties; listening post duty; Chinese mortar fire; temporary role with Bren gun team following fatal accident; Chinese shell fire during meals; canteen lorries; question of beer ration. REEL 4 Continues: US air napalm attacks; relationship with NCOs and story of NCO disciplining absent sentries; relationship with officers; story of Chinese shell fire during cinema show; visit by concert party; move back to Paekhok rest camp; effects of Chinese shell fire on rest camp and question of absence of Koreans; patrols searching for Koreans; leaving Korea, 8/1952. Period at Norwegian Farm Camp, New Territories, Hong Kong, 9/1952-12/1952: listening post duties in hill above China border; training exercises; recreation and story of getting drunk; sweat rash; hospitalisation with cyst caused by childhood head injury. Flight back to GB, 12/1952. Period at Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital, Millbank, London, ca 12/1952-1/1953: disciplinary problem with matron; operation to remove cyst. Minimal duties prior to demobilisation at Britannia Barracks, Norwich, 4/1953. REEL 5 Post-service career: background to change to work as builder; question of remaining in army; service with 4th Bn, NR, Norwich, 1953-1957, including, annual camps, training and story of being disciplined by and opinion of Sergeant Alex Barr; membership of Korean Veterans Assoc and Royal Norfolk Regt Assoc.