Memories of Service 1 - Kenneth Johnstone

Web (Full Length) – 2015

In this Memories of Service interview, veteran Kenneth Johnstone shares his stories of being in the Navy during the Korean War. He talks briefly about his time spent chasing Russian submarines around the Mediterranean before heading to the war. There he was shot at by North Korean forces and knew numerous casualties. In total he spent eight years in the Navy, working as a stoker in the engine room. He shares his medals from the war and talks about life after it ended, particularly about being hailed as a hero by South Korean visitors.

Another stoker, Dutchy Holland, and I were having a spar up on the quarter deck ... as we were doing that there was a noise like bang splash bang splash and Dutchy said "them buggers are shootin' at us" ... we put full speed ahead and we got out of range, and as we were leaving there was about 20 shells landed where we'd been.
– Ken Johnstone, on being anchored up the Han river between North and South Korea