Veteran remembers Korea: Weather of extremes
Memories of extremely cold winters and scorching hot summers will never leave Korean War veteran Owen Gleeson.
Now 87, the Palmerston North man’s memory is still sharp as a tack, recalling with ease dates and areas he fought in.
Gleeson volunteered to go to the war in 1951 but didn’t make it into camp until 1952, at just 21 years old.
From 1950 to 1953, nearly 6000 New Zealand soldiers served alongside South Korean and United Nations troops in a war against the communist North. More than 30 lost their lives and one was taken prisoner.
Like many others who went to Koera, Gleeson volunteered to see what it was all about.
He was sent to Korea for 21 months as an artillery signalman.
Normally, his position would be set up near the trenches, which made for tough working conditions.
‘‘We just [stayed] in a little spot near the trenches and dodged a few mortars.’’
Gleeson is understated in most of his recollections, but said there were moments where things got a bit hairy.
‘‘There were a lot of shells.
‘‘In 27 months, New Zealand artillery fired 960,000 rounds,’’ he said.
This, alongside the everchanging weather conditions, will stay with Gleeson forever.
‘‘There was extremely cold winters.
‘‘It was weather of extremes. The summer was extremely hot.’’
Gleeson said later in life he suffered from skin cancer on his back, which he thought could have been caused by his time exposed to the Korean sun.
He also injured his back, which led to him suffering arthritis.
He said doctors tried to send him home, but he stayed with his unit until its rotation was up.
Coming back to New Zealand, Gleeson said it took a little bit of adjusting and he eventually left the military and settled down in Manawatu¯.
He attends Anzac Day services every year.
Such occasions are special to him and when he attends the ceremonies, his mind drifts to people affected and their families.
‘‘I feel sad for the parents. I think that Gallipoli was badly managed. Shocking loss of life.’’