Ron Kirk
Bio
Ron Kirk came from a military family with his grandfather fighting in the Boer War and his father fighting in both World War I and World War II. Additionally, he had many other family members who were veterans of the Korean War and other wars. He believed his decision to join the Royal Canadian Navy was the second best thing that happened to him, only second to the marriage to his wife. He served in a support role providing security in the waters surrounding South Korea. After his service, he continued to study Korean history because he believed it was very important to do so. Upon his revisit to South Korea, he was amazed at the amount of change in such a short period of time, saying it “was not the same country.”
Video Clips
Checking for Contraband
Ron Kirk recalls his duties in the navy which included patrolling the west coast of Korea. He reports being a part of forces making sure South Korea would not be infiltrated by the North. Since fishing and other boats could be disguised to bring in contraband, he remembers their role was to check these vessels. He explains if anything was found, the suspects were turned over to authorities to be interrogated.
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Military Family
Ron Kirk describes the strong military background of his family. He recalls his grandfather fought in the Boer War and his father fought both in World War I and World War II. He proudly shares his father’s experience of surviving being gassed and bayoneted during the Battle of Ypres. Along with this feat, he shares how his father reenlisted and trained pilots during World War II. Along with his own service in Korea, he recalls two of his uncles and three cousins fought in the Korean War.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enVDa3DvJXc&start=231&end=351
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ron-kirk#clip-2
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Life on the Ship
Ron Kirk describes his service on the HMCS Iroquois during the Korean War. He details the living situation on board, including sleeping in hammocks and a rigid lifestyle. He explains how this provided him an excellent foundation for his future after the military.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enVDa3DvJXc&start=736&end=809
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ron-kirk#clip-3
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Orphanage Needed Baby Clothes
Ron Kirk discusses the needs of an orphanage located on one of the islands where he patrolled. He recalls a missionary, from Australia, remarking how the orphanage was in desperate need of baby clothes. After hearing this, he remembers requesting his mother send clothes and how she provided them in the next care package he received.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enVDa3DvJXc&start=1747&end=1833
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https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/ron-kirk#clip-4
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