Alan Maggs
Bio
As a British veteran, Alan Maggs is able to recall both his childhood in England during World War II and his time in Korea during the war. In his interview, he describes his journey to Korea by way of Hong Kong and Japan. He remembers some dangerous experiences he had while in Korea, including the time that he was wounded. Unfortunately, he explains how the Korean War veterans have not been given the support of the government in England. Alan Maggs is proud that he was able to be a “small cog in a big machine” to help Korea become the advanced country that it is today.
Video Clips
The Journey to Korea
Alan Maggs describes his long journey to Korea. Because he was only eighteen years old at the time, he was unable to join the war effort. He was sent to Hong Kong and then Japan where he attended school to be able to do signals. Having graduated at the top of his class, he was sent to Korea two weeks before he turned nineteen.
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Dangerous Moments in Korea
Alan Maggs recalls a few dangerous moments that he experienced in Korea. During two separate occasions, he barely escaped being hit by a shell. Unfortunately, however, he was wounded near Hill 355 and explains how he was lucky enough that a jeep was passing by and was able to take him to the medical team.
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Lacking Support for the Remembrance of the War
When asked what the legacy of Korean War is in England, Alan Maggs states that there is “no legacy in a way.” He describes how the government has paid for other war memorials but would not pay for the Korean War one because they argue that these soldiers fought for the United Nations, not for England. Fortunately, Alan Maggs and others were able to raise the money necessary to build their own monument.
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