Trevor Edwards
Bio
Trevor J. Edwards was born in 1931 in India while his father was stationed there with the British Army. When he was a very young child, they relocated to Oxford until the onset of World War II, at which time his mother moved them to Yorktown to live with her siblings while his father went to fight in the war. He left school at the age of fourteen and began to work as a trainee carpenter with the Civil Royal Engineers, one of the few places that offered steady work during the war. He worked there for the next three years, before enlisting in the British Army in 1948. He served in post-war Europe until the Korean War broke out. He saw action all across the peninsula of Korea and had many encounters with the Chinese. He revisited Korea and recognized nothing due to its remarkable recovery from the war. The fanfare and appreciation he received upon arrival have stayed with him over the years.
Video Clips
Christmas with the Enemy
Trevor Edwards reminisces about one particular Christmas morning while on the front lines in Korea. He shares how just as daylight broke through the darkness, a tree decorated with tinsel and adorned with chocolate bars stood before them at the wire. It was a gesture from the Chinese, an example of humanity during a time of war. The Chinese had written messages stating that they did not want to fight them but instead just wanted them to go home.
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Hill 355: Shouts From the Enemy
Trevor Edwards describes an unexpected engagement with the enemy on Hill 355. He recalls being assigned to build an observation post and shares he and five others were camped there, working day and night, to get it done. He remembers that one evening there was an explosion followed by shouts in the early morning hours. He continues to explain that when they went to investigate, they found two North Koreans had tripped a mine while setting booby traps. He recalls how he and the others set forth through the minefield to retrieve the grievously injured enemy as they helped guide their steps.
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Duties on the Front Line
Trevor Edwards explains his primary duties while on the front line which consisted mainly of calculating distance to targets. He notes that weather could be a factor which needed to be considered when making these calculations. He shares stories of firing on the enemy on a nearby hill to harass their dogs and on mule trains returning from resupplying enemy forces.
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Second Attack on the Hook
Trevor Edwards offers details of the Chinese strategies as part of the second attack on the Black Watch at the Hook. He recalls the Chinese being dug into the reverse side of the hill as the Black Watch. He notes he was actually involved in harassing duty that day.
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Propaganda and Poo
Trevor Edwards shares how he was part of a unit who used to deliver "propaganda and poo" to the enemy via shells. The latter was more of a joke on the enemy.
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