BRITISH POST WWII KOREAN WAR PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM

A highly unusual photograph album covering a British Artillery unit in Korea during the Korean War, 1950 to 53. Over many years, Regimentals has dealt with historical photograph albums, mainly German but with some very good German, American and Italian albums. Historically, British servicemen overseas have never been able to produce excellent photographs or create generally good albums, and we find in this Korean album a complete reversal of that characteristic. This large format album, which looks as if it was purchased in Japan, was put together by George Desmond Hinde, born 1916, attested into the Royal Regiment of Artillery 1939, his WWII history is not known, other than in 1942/43 he was a 2nd Lieutenant, in 1948 he won the General Service Medal for Palestine and was part of the 81st Field Artillery Regiment, he was a temporary Major, Officer commanding the 163rd Field Battery Royal Artillery and in 1941 was a Major of the School of Artillery. He has created a most fabulous album containing 263 photographs of the life of this British unit in Korea. The album begins with views of the unit’s camp. A mixture of American Jeeps and British Austin Champs, Korean railroads, Korean security guards, local children and views. Very good images of British and American servicemen serving together, good close-ups of headdress and uniforms. Very good photographs of early helicopters. General Officer Commanding and CO of the unit standing at meetings. Athletic events. Many other Korean personnel images. Many of the images are annotated. Good close-ups of British officers with their Jeeps. Artillery observers in action on mountainsides. Evacuation of the sick in one of the early helicopters. Groups of British officers wearing raincoats and visor caps in wet conditions, at railheads. British Quad vehicles for towing 25-pounder guns. Many of the personnel in the images are identified. Artillery troops firing. Groups of British officers in trenches. A good view of British sleeve insignia. American officers riding in Austin Champs. Korean soldiers. British parades. 25-pounder guns attached to their limbers with the annotation ‘Barrage at Dawn’. Good battle scenes. Many more highly interesting and very good resolution clear large format photographs. For any student of the Korean War this album is a fine addition to a collection.

Ref; 97192