AT the outbreak of the war in Korea, Royal Australian Army Nursing Corps officers were not allowed to go into Korea with the Australian forces, but this policy changed in 1952. At this time the British Commonwealth Communication zone medical unit (BCCAMU) in Seoul was established to form a link in the medical evacuation of Commonwealth battle casualties to the British Commonwealth General Hospital (BCGH) at Kure in Japan, in 1952 after the Armistice Australian Army nurses served in Korea. I was appointed as a LT to the RAANC in 1951 and was sister in charge of 6 Camp Hospital Brighton Tas when I received my posting to the British Commonwealth General Hospital at Kure in Japan (1952).

I was immediately transferred to 3 Camp Hospital Puckapunyal to be issued with uniforms etc. and finally departed Sydney in the morning with two other nursing officers on a Qantas plan (Skymaster). This flight was transporting soldiers for duty in Japan and Korea. It was fully loaded. Darwin was our first stop. On arrival at Darwin all were taken by bus to Berrimah where we showered and rested. The nursing officers were wearing winter dress, and it was very hot, appreciated this. After a few hours as we waited for the troops to emplane some of the men on bended knee kissed the ground - their farewell to Australia; next stop was Lebanon in Borneo where we stayed overnight. I took the opportunity and visited the War Cemetery. Early next morning we flew on to Hong Kong where we had another overnight stop. Next day we travelled on to the RAAF base at Iwakuni Japan landing en-route for the plane and refuel at Okinawa.

At Iwakuni the soldiers went their different ways we nurses were met by the Australian Matron, deputy Matron of the British Commonwealth General Hospital of Kure (BCGH) (Major D V Thompson). Fortunately the Matron had a staff car to take us immediately to our final destination. More comfortable than the train after the long plane trip.

The TCGH was where the sick and wounded of all Commonwealth Forces from Korea received medical and nursing care. These men were from Canada, British Isles, India, Australia and New Zealand. The nursing staff came from the QARANC (British), RAANC (Aust) and the Canadian nursing services, each had their own wards in the large complex, but we nursed patients from any of the Commonwealth Countries. Our service in Korea was out detachment from the BCGH on a rotation system for all nurses.

The conditions in Seoul were primitive (one did not expect anything grand) but the building itself was at least functional. Medical and nursing care was provided for minor sick from the local area; patients in transit to the in-country convalescent depot, and the sick and wounded battle casualties of the Commonwealth Forces were admitted, awaiting evacuation to Japan by the RAAF nursing officers on an evacuation flight to Japan. There was no running water and no sheets for the beds of the patients in the BCCZMU, water was delivered to the wards in jerry cans.

Leave was unheard of. If the nurses left the area eg. shopping at the PX an armed escort was necessary.

One shower per day at 5pm was allowed for the nursing officers otherwise a bird bath in our cubicles was the only way to refresh in the heat.

The wounded were given initial treatment and resuscitation after leaving their RAP at the Norwegian or American MASH, or the Indian Field Ambulance.

Infection of wounds were always possible so patients were usually given penicillin.

The climatic conditions were extremes, freezing in the winter and extremely hot and dusty in the summer.

The nurses were issued with warm slacks, shirts, boots and socks and battle dress jacket for the winter and lighter slacks and shirt for summer. Regular grey ward dress and veil was worn on the wards.

When I travelled to Korea it was summer so I packed by jacket and overcoat in the trunk to go with heavy luggage. I regretted the jacket because I was not aware how cold the launch trip down the inland sea to Iwakuni could be in the late afternoon, even in summer. There were only a few on the launch, some officers and soldiers returning to duty and myself. I appreciated the Canadian Chaplain who lent me his parker for the voyage. I remember that trip very clearly as we all sat silently in the launch each with our own thoughts. The men returning to the battle and I embarking on my first experience of active service.

At Iwakuni RAAF base the troops were already lined up to be allocated a bed for the night, the launch party joined the end of the queue. When I arrived at the office, the NZ Movement Officer was in a panic as he had not observed the F in the front of my regimental number, indicated I was female. I was booked as a male officer. He found me a bed in a large dormitory by myself. I recall it was a long and lonely night. As we were departing at 0400 it was a short night. I did not sleep because I was afraid I’d miss the plane. We emplaned (DE three) transport plan plane taking off almost in darkness. I recall looking out the porthole windows I would see we were flying very low as the sea below appeared very close as we neared Korea.

The plane refuelled at Pusan, all alighting and standing at the rear of the plane - lots of military air craft about. We did not see much of Pusan, but I was informed their was much poverty and people were living in cardboard boxes for shelter.

The Australian Sister in Charge, Captain P McCarthy met at the airport in Seoul, I was glad to arrive feeling very tired both mentally and physically.

The city was war torn, after so much war. It was very hot and dusty, buildings showing evidence of the war. Military Police controlled the traffic, much of it being military vehicles. It was very breezy in the open jeep, I was warned not to remove my hat as I would soon be ordered by an MP to "put that hat on m’am".

The BCCZMU was a former school building and had its disadvantages.

Most nights the North Korean bombers flew over the city on their bombing missions. It was customary for the nurses not to retire until after the all clear was sounded as we had to report to the ward. Being so tired I returned at 10.30pm leaving my slacks and shirt handy to slip over my pyjamas if there was a call, needless to say the siren sounded and the lights went out after ten minutes sleep. I learned it was much easier to stay up. Prior to my arrival the bombers dropped two bombs over the city which straddled the BCCZMU.

The Commonwealth casualties from Korea received emergency treatment only, prior to their evacuation to Kure via the Iwakuni RAAF Air base where they were put on a Hospital train which consisted of railway carriages converted by the Japanese to accommodate stretchers and essential needs of the casualties, and attached to the afternoon train. An Australian Army nurse with a British medical orderly tended the patients en route to Kure, giving treatments or injections. On arrival at the BCGH the patients would be given a meal. Those with wounds would go to the operating theatre the next day for cleansing and suturing of their wounds. Depending on the severity of the injuries and healing progress the patients would be evacuated to their respective countries by air or sea medical evacuation. Others would be transferred to the convalescent depot prior to return to duty or Korea. Severe burns cases were frequent casualties from Korea particularly during the winter. The burns were caused by exploding home made heating systems in the dug outs.

It was a privilege to be in Japan and Korea to provide nursing care for the casualties from the Australian and other Commonwealth countries. I recognised a wonderful mutual respect between the men and their nursing officers particularly between the Australian men and their nurses - the great tradition which has been part of the Australian Army Nursing tradition since the time of the Boer War where our great traditions began. I often think of the Commonwealth casualties from Korea and wonder how kind life has been to those scattered throughout the world. No doubt some have been more fortunate than others.