In 1952 after several months of training as an armament fitter or technician as they are called these days as well as drill, range, guard duties and everything to go with recruit bullshit training I left Mascot airport by Qantas DC6 to Iwakuni Japan, where 491 Squadron were based. After I had three or 4 teeth filled again and another armful of needles within 2 days I was on my way to Korea having reached 24 years of age. I went by DC3, 36 Sqdn RAAF, to Seoul.

Then from Seoul hopped on a RAAF truck to Kimpo air base that’s where 77 sqdn was based, the countryside going up to Kimpo didn’t impress me at all; smelly paddy fields, unfortunately that was going to be my home for at least the first eleven months of my tour of about 15 to 18 months.

Kimpo was a pretty busy airbase mainly consisted of American aircraft fighters, bombers you name it also there were Canadian and South African aircraft as well. Our lines were on the opposite side of the airbase, it was a very big airbase, never a dull moment, our tents were right next to a lousy paddy field, plus the honey cart in the summer, one big bloody smelly shit hole.

I had one full winter and one full summer there, Winter was just starting as I left Japan by Qantas to get home by Christmas 1953, I think I surprised my mother when I walked through the back door at home, I couldn’t let her know in time because I had no idea until the last minute until my replacement turned up in Japan then all of a sudden I was on the plane for home. I could have slept for weeks, no bloody icicles to wake up to in the morning.

I came across Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, American, not too many British troops, the majority of British troops were 2 year national service trainees also the American services were 2 year national service.

All in all I made a lot of good mates up there they were all great guys, I was lost for long while after I got home.

Every so often on the radio at home they would put a tune called "half as much" some bird sang it, it brought back memories, when the Salvos turned on a cuppa for us and over the PA system on came this tune "half as much" after being up there for a few months the song really turned me on also the bird that sang, "little doggie in the window" that could be me being a musician. I’m a little sentimental, Blue Tango was another one they use to bash a lot, a lot of Japanese songs weren’t hard to listen to either, I’m sorry I didn’t bring some home with me they would have been interesting to listen to now, their songs had beautiful melodies with them.

After my leave was up after coming home I was posted to maintenance squadron RAAF Base Pt Cook Victoria as soon as I was cleared on, I was volunteered for the Trooping of the Colour on the escort squadron fro when the Queen came out to Australia on her first tour in 1954, 6 to 9 months training on the bull ring, just imagine, I ran right into the bullshit again, but nevertheless Pt Cook grew on you, it turned out to be ok. There were a lot of ex 77 Squadron guys posted there. I think most of us were trying for postings overseas again.

Addendum  Richard Grafton served 411 days in Korea from 4th October 1952 to 18th November1953. He died at his daughter's home in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia at the age of 78 years on 27th April 2007 and cremated on 2nd May 2007.      'Lest We Forget'

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This page was last modified on 02 May 2007.