Tony White
Bio
Anthony James White served in the Korean War as part of the Royal Ulster Rifles. He received his conscription notice the day the Korean War started. Upon his arrival in Korea, he was assigned to the Assault Pioneers platoon. Early in his service, he was given a mine detector along with a new supply kit. By default, this made him one of the official mine detectors despite the fact that he didn’t even know how to turn on the device. In addition to detecting mines, he soon became part of the unit that laid and documented mines throughout Korea. He has had the honor of returning to Korea on two occasions.
Video Clips
The Journey to Korea from England
Tony White shares when he left Southampton, England, the ship experienced a steering problem in the Indian Ocean which resulted in hitting the rudder with a sledgehammer in order to steer. He remembers how the ship diverted to Singapore. He recalls they also had to go to Hong Kong and then to Kure, Japan, after enduring a typhoon. He spent three weeks in Japan training and then went on to Korea.
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Detecting Mines
Tony White shares when he first arrived in Korea, he was placed in a patrol unit. He describes being ordered to use the mine detector when they came across a suspected anti-tank minefield even though he did not even know how to even turn it on. He remembers being terrified while he was walking and feeling relieved when an armored car of the Royal Engineers arrived and took over.
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Hiding Under a Bull
Tony White recollects an occasion while on patrol when they received a trip from a local regarding a Chinese soldier hiding in a house they had just searched. He explains there was a cow shed attached to the main house, and the local Korean civilian pointed to a bull. He shares that when he poked the bull, a Chinese soldier who was hiding in straw underneath the bull bolted out of the house.
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Cease Fire
Tony White discusses how hostilities continued after the cease fire. He details the process of laying mines. He explains they could not see Chinese soldiers during the day with planes but knew they were there because of gunfire at night. He recounts how he laid explosives at one point in a big pit and saw a lot of the land collapse around it. He shares how he realized the Chinese were hiding in these tunnels during the day.
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