Gordon Wright, a resident at Anchor Hanover’s Meadow Court in Sarisbury Green, Hampshire, has shared his recollections from his time in the army during the Korean War, often described as ‘The Forgotten Conflict’.
Breaking out in June 1950, the war involved some 100,000 British troops, and Gordon, a technician in army, successfully completed his apprenticeship in Germany before being sent to Korea early in 1953.
He said: “I was 18 years old when I arrived at the post of Busan in Korea as a Corporal, I was responsible for military communications. I thought I knew it all but as I walked down the gangplank from the ship it all suddenly felt very real! Some of the other soldiers and I were told to jump on board a truck at the port and off we went, driving into the night in completely unfamiliar territory, we were advised to make sure our guns were loaded as we continued down rough tracks and roads. Suddenly we stopped at a crossroads and the solider in charge flashed his torch and said he had to just drop us off there. I thought how unnerving, it was the middle of the night, pitch black and we were in the middle of a war!
“A Sergeant sent us off with a roll of wire to set up beds for the night on the side of the road. We shivered the night through until the next morning. It was only when it started to get light that we realised we were very close to the headquarters of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade.”
Gordon spent the next nine months with the Commonwealth Brigade before being promoted to Sergeant. Just after the war ended, he was then transferred to the Commonwealth Artillery Training Centre where he became an instructor for nine months before being posted to Egypt. Gordon received a commendation for his service in the Korean War amongst other medals and awards including the American Purple Heart which is usually presented to American soldiers who are wounded or killed in service but Gordon came about his in a slightly unusual way.
He explained: “I had a raging toothache so was knocking back brandy and rum to keep the pain at bay as we didn’t have a MASH (Medical and Surgical Hospital) nearby. The nearest was an American one some 16 miles away but I needed to see a dentist urgently! I didn’t know how to drive but with a loaded gun off I went in a jeep alone to the American MASH. I had my tooth extracted and ended up in the area where the walking wounded were, I had a jab and within about 15 minutes I fell asleep. It was only as I was waking that I noticed something had been pinned to my jacket and then when I got back to base someone pointed out I’d been given a Purple Heart for my bravery at having my tooth taken out!”
Gordon went on to enjoy different roles in the military once back in the United Kingdom, including a posting to the Special Communications Unit in London, where all his work was top secret. Gordon is a member of the Korean Veterans Association, of which numbers are gradually decreasing but the group still works with the Korean Government for veterans to visit the Korean battle fields bi-annually.
“The Korean government are so thankful for our support in the war. They work with the group and the Korean airlines to arrange for a group of veterans to visit the battle fields bi-annually. The next visit is scheduled for next year, and I’m on the list to attend provided the pandemic has eased enough for us to go.
“The Korean government have also sent us face masks during the pandemic to help keep us safe, as another mark of gratitude for our support on the Korean war which is wonderful. I wear mine all the time when I’m out and about!”
Meadow Court
Forwarding 65 years, Gordon has been living at Anchor Hanover’s Meadow Court just over a year. Gordon and his late wife Pat moved to their new home in 2019 after making the decision to downsize to somewhere safe and secure to spend valuable time together as Pat became increasingly unwell following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Gordon continued: “As we lived quite close by, I watched the community being built as I passed on my way to the doctors and thought it looked very nice. I was reluctant to move but my son was keen for us to take a look around. I was a carer for my wife so the idea behind making the move was to enable us to have two good valuable years together enjoying life in a more manageable home within a community.”
Making their move proved the right decision, both Gordon and Pat enjoyed the social side to communal living, regularly joining community activities in the communal lounge. Pat was used to an extremely social life so the couple made the most of the social life available as part of the community right up until the pandemic struck. Pat’s cat, Tizzy was also able to join them in their new home. Unfortunately, Pat’s health declined earlier this year and she sadly passed away with Gordon by her side in May.
Despite the pandemic lockdown restrictions Gordon has been able to keep himself busy with the support of his son and daughter who live close by and the Meadow Court community: “My daughter encouraged me to start going to gym to keep fit and signed me up to classes, so when the restrictions had lifted I was able to walk to the leisure centre for some cardio exercise. As a community, we’ve also been able to have some socially distanced gatherings on Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the communal lounge which has been good to get together.
“I have Tizzy to keep me company when I’m home too, she’s quite old now, at the age of 14, so sleeps a lot but I do find myself chatting away to her. She’s a great companion. I’ve also got plenty of pictures up around my home of Pat and seeing Pat’s smile makes me smile so that keeps me positive.”
Located in the charming location of Sarisbury Green in Southampton, Meadow Court enjoys a peaceful setting that is within comfortable walking distance of nearby shops and amenities. The vibrant retirement community offers a range of one- and two-bedroom apartments and first-class facilities.
Find out more at anchorhanover.org.uk.
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