Memories of Korean conflict

FORMER soldiers from around the county have been captured on camera candidly talking of “the forgotten war” in Korea in a film produced by Leicestershire County Council.

In the footage, released in the run-up to Remembrance Day, members of the Leicester branch of the British Korean Veterans’ Association describe their memories of living in trenches, facing enemy attacks and coping with fierce winds and bleak hills during the 1950-1953 conflict.

County council chair- man Councillor Bill Liquorish said: “As we approach Armistice Day, we should remember all the men and women who served our country, across the world.

“The powerful testimony of our Korean veterans shows that this war should never be forgotten.

“Troops from across Leicestershire endured great hardship, while playing their part for the United Nations.”

British troops were part of the UN forces sent to Korea, to fight North Korean troops backed by China and Russia. There were three million casualties, including 1,000 British forces.

The county council’s war memorials project and the East Midlands Oral History Archive interviewed veterans in 2013, to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Korean War.

The footage has now been edited and released as a one hour, six minutes long film, including photographs taken by the veterans, and can be viewed online at www.hinckleytimes.net