Chester author and former national serviceman recalls his life in book about Korean War

Dec 21 2009 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

A Chester author and former national serviceman is spending Christmas more than 5,000 miles away from the war in which he took part over half a century ago.

Now retired after a successful career in industry, Neville Williams tells his biography as a fighting soldier in “A Conscript in Korea”.

His remarkable story begins when, as a young National Serviceman in 1951, he walked through the gates at the Welch Brigade Training Centre in Brecon.

It ends when he walked back into Civvy Street in 1953. Between these dates he went through many life-changing experiences, in particular the 12 months he spent with the 1st Battalion, The Welch Regiment in Korea.

Mr Williams tells his story of this almost forgotten war in graphic detail.

“Temperatures could drop to -45° with biting Siberian snow-laden winds.

“In the spring came the monsoons followed by a humid mosquito-laden period,” he says.

The Welch Regiment at that time was part of the Commonwealth Division.

“Allied to the American and Korean ROK armies we were tasked with holding a line north of the 38th Parallel whilst politicians tried to broker a deal,” he continues.

“The Chinese were well dug in and were a resourceful determined enemy, never missing a chance to edge forward even if it meant serious casualties.

“Artillery exchanges were often fierce and fighting patrols often clashed”.

As a lance corporal infantry signaller, Mr Williams was involved at all levels of operational and company activity.

His 208 page book, with eight pages of black and white photographs, gives the reader a real insight into the thoughts of a young man caught up in a desperate and dangerous conflict.

Barnsley based publishers Pen & Sword Books say Korean War memoirs are rare and accounts by non-commissioned conscripts are even more so.

They believe Mr Williams’s account “captures the atmospheres of this grim war and the almost unbelievably harsh conditions it was fought under”.

The book “gives a fighting man’s, no nonsense, no-holds-barred account, interspersed with humour and insight into the realities of Army life”.

“A Conscript in Korea” is published price £19.99.