Pte Alan O’Toole 6/400052

A Company, I Battalion Royal Australian Regiment.

Enlisted July 51 – Discharged June 1953.

Trained at Puckapunyal Victoria for six months and then a further three months training in Japan as a Reinforcement for 3 RAR but transferred to I Battalion. Flew to Japan by Qantas but went with IRAR to Korea by ship.

Country very backward, bleak and shockingly war damaged. By train to reserve position behind front line. Roads bad or nonexistent and terrane very hilly.

High percentage of World War 2 vets among the Officers in I Battalion. Large number of UK personal in A Company. Members about 50/50 Regular Army and K Force. [2 year enlistments for the Korean War] Battalion rotated from line tours with other British Commonwealth units. Static war fighting from established positions, no big advances. Raids on enemy hills and much patrolling in area between the front lines. Periods of heavy shelling and always much mortaring. No enemy aircraft over position. 

Food rations good. American Army C ration packs while in forwards lines. Clothing good. Weather rainy and humid during summer and incredibly cold in the winter. Rough living in dugouts in forward positions, cramped, smoke filled, but mostly safe from mortar bombs.

Five days leave in Tokyo after four to five months and a further three weeks leave towards the end of tour. Found leave enjoyable and ample. Also had plenty of free time when not in actual forward position. Good moral and friendly atmosphere in Battalion. Also good relations with other British Commonwealth units and with the Americans. 

Returned to Australia by ship and enjoyed welcome home marchers through Brisbane and Sydney. Very ego boosting. Very pleased to have gone and shared experiences with many people who have remained lifetime friends. [and very pleased to be home] Easily settled back into civvy life.

Have found the KVA, RSL, and the Veterans Affairs always supportive and available.

If you would like to return home . .  

or just return to the last page . . .

This page was last modified on 14 May 2000.