6851 Wallace Charles Sutherland

I went to Korea in early 1953 on the ship "New Australia" with 2 RAR. We landed at the Port City of Pusan.

The country was of quite rugged terrain and not a lot different from Japan where I served from 1947-49.

I find it hard to remember today a lot of what happened in Korea but one thing that sticks in my mind is the weather. To me there appeared to be only two seasons both extremes. One very hot and dusty and the other extreme cold and snow with deep mud.

During my time in Korea until the ceasefire in July 1953, our Battalion was in a static position when on operational duty with the troops engaged in extensive patrolling to dominate the area between the opposing forces.

It appeared to me that the local people lived a very hard life. Their country had been fought over by the opposing forces from one end to the other with thousands of civilians being killed and injured when caught up in battles between the United Nations Forces and those forces opposing them.

The rations in Korea can only be described as unappetising and the living conditions harsh.

There is one thing I have always believed and that is the troops I served with in Korea were the best I served with during my 30-year army career. They were extremely well trained and professional soldiers, all volunteers, who could be relied upon in any situation.

On leaving Korea at the end of my tour, I really believed that we had done a good job for world peace and that the United Nations was right to intervene in the conflict between North and South Korea.

If you would like to return home . .  

or just return to the last page . . .

This page was last modified on 14 May 2000.