Edgar Green
Bio
Edgar Green was born in London on April 24, 1931. He was a child during the Second World War and watched as the fires raged across London from all the bombs dropped during the Blitz. In 1949, when he was of age, he was conscripted into the British Army. He was stationed in Hong Kong when the Korean War broke out and became part of the first British land troops to arrive in Korea. He recalled the stench of human waste as they drew nearer to the dock in Busan and feeling anxious about what they would soon encounter. He described having inadequate uniforms to weather the extreme cold and how the Americans provided them with parkas and rations. He was proud of his service and expressed a desire for Korean War veterans to be recognized for their accomplishments and not simply be the forgotten men of a forgotten war.
Video Clips
Korea Bound
Edgar Green describes the feeling of nervousness he and fellow soldiers experienced boarding the HMS Unicorn in Hong Kong destined for Korea. He shares that having World War II veterans among the crew was helpful as they offered advice. He recalls having to line up with other fellow soldiers along the flight deck and endure a round of injections prior to arriving in Korea.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDm4CRR-vxg&start=684&end=830
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edgar-green#clip-1
Embed:
First Impressions of Korea
Edgar Green reflects on his first impressions of Korea. He recalls the stench of human waste as they drew nearer to the dock in Busan and remembers an American band and Korean choir there to welcome them. He shares that they were part of the very first British land forces to enter the Korean War and comments on having to rely on the Americans for food and transport for the first several days.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDm4CRR-vxg&start=841&end=1032
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edgar-green#clip-2
Embed:
Pneumonia and the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH)
Edgar Green describes the harsh weather he experienced while in Korea while inadequately supplied with tropical uniforms. He recalls the Americans helping out with supplies, such as parkas. He shares having to seek medical attention at a MASH unit on multiple occasions as he dealt with pneumonia and a broken tooth.
Share YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDm4CRR-vxg&start=2884&end=3104
Share from this page:
https://koreanwarlegacy.org/interviews/edgar-green#clip-3
Embed: