Description:The crosses at the War Memorial in Victoria Square, Stafford, commemorating the Fallen of two World Wars, are examined by three 20 year old Stafford National Servicemen, on demobilisation leave, who have just returned from service in the Korean War. Pictured left to right: Gunner Kenneth Spilsbury of Pitt Street, Gunner Edward Dobson of Ravenhurst, Lawn Road and Private Alan Mitchell, Royal Army Medical Corps, of New Street.
Alan Mitchell was called up in November 1950 and 10 months later he was shipped to Korea. He saw action on the central front with the Commonwealth Division and later with the Shropshires, who were defending a ridge when the Reds (Communists) attacked and the Shropshire’s lost two companies. Fragments of a two-pound mortar bomb hit Alan’s right hand, he was operated on by the Americans and flown to Japan where he spent three weeks in hospital and seven convalescing. He did not return to Korea but was stationed at the British military hospital in Kure until he sailed for home.
Edward Dobson, son of the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Stafford, Alderman and Mrs L Dobson, spent three months on an observation post which he said was a hole in the ground. He said one day an enemy tank came in sight on the opposite hill and “banged one off at us”. Luckily the shell was a dud which only knocked some twigs off a nearby tree onto their heads. Edward spent the rest of his eleven months at an artillery command post and as a driver of a 25-pound gun tractor.
Kenneth Spilsbury was a radio operator attached to the Leicester’s in Korea. Kenneth joined up on the same day in November 1950 as Edward Dobson. They completed their initial training at Oswestry and then on to Rhyl to learn their trades. After four months in the Army they went to Hong Kong where they split up. They were in Hong Kong for about three months and then sent to Korea. After they had been in Korea eight months Edward and Kenneth were on their second leave in Japan. In the leave camp they were reunited at a chance meeting during breakfast. Returning to the UK, Kenneth came home on the Empire Orwell, while Edward and Alan met on the Empire Trooper.
This photograph was published in the Staffordshire Newsletter on Saturday 15 November 1952. Reproduced by kind permission of the Staffordshire Newsletter who retain copyright.