My first taste of British Issue Rum

My First Taste of British Issue Rum

By Fred Cox
US 51st Signal Battalion

Our team from the 51st Signal Battalion was assigned to the 29th British Brigade in early December at Pyongyang. We had been with the 1st Cavalry Division on the Yalu River until the Chinese chased us south. We provided telephone service from the Brigade, to I Corp Hdqtrs. Most of the calls were for logistics and material, both ground and air support. We also provided Teletype circuits for the intelligence people.

Highland Pipers in the area of Osan Spring of 1951.
I'm not sure which Scottish Regiment the Pipers came from

Since the Brigade fought the rearguard action for the city of Pyongyang, our group was the last to cross the bridge on the run to the south, as we had to keep communications in until the last minute. The next thing I recall was that the next day, under fire, we stopped to make tea. That impressed us (American GIs) to try for the most southerly end of convoys while headed south. We went on to the peninsula area somewhere near Haeju. Because the Chinese and North Korean infantry were getting too close, the Brigade made a dash east to Kaeson. Please remember that we did not always know where we were so there is some error in locations I do believe. We were at Kaeson for several days and while there we were given our first taste of British issue rum. I spit flames for two days - only a slight exaggeration. The Master Sergeant at Brigade Hdqtrs was a large man with a big moustache, and a very nice guy.

This is a photo of me at the commanders privy (crapper)
It’s a double exposure--the privy and me holding frozen long johns.

We then were sent to just north of Seoul so that the Brigade could again fight a rearguard action for the city. Our communications team set up on the highest hill near the Han River, so that we could communicate with I Corp. That set-up was in the home of the American Ambassador. Glad he was not home to see what we had to do to the house. It was bitterly cold on that hill with the wind coming in from the Yellow Sea. Plans were changed and the 29th was sent south in several steps until we reached somewhere between Osan and Taejon. The Brigade then went somewhere south of the 38th parallel in the eastern section of I Corp's part of the front. As best as I can recall I believe we were pushed back some distance and again made an advancement. By this time it was about the middle of March or the first of April and our team was reassigned to another unit.

The above pictures are of my friend Harry.
He was a commander and he spent his free time with us when he was
back at Brigade Hdqtrs. This was at Suwon May 1951.
I do not recall Harry's last name.

My stay with the 29th was a good one and I met several men that were very helpful. Harry, a Centurion tank commander usually came to stay in our tent when he came back to Hdqrs. All I remember is that his name was Harry. We did enjoy a vast amount of opportunity to buy spirits of every sort from various places in the world. Oh, yes, we did tire of tea, so we managed to get several pounds of coffee and made a mistake--don’t let an English cook make coffee. He used it all for one small pot.

Buddies, Brit on the left
and two guys from our team

This is a shot of one of the Brits who was with Hdqrts.
of the 29th. His name was Bob and there is
a possibility that he was the sergeant in charge at Hdqtrs

We did enjoy some humorous times. It would be tremendous if any of the men would recognize their pictures. Please, if anyone can provide me with additional information about the 29th during this time frame, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Fred Cox
Dec 2000

Fred Today

Back to Korean Index