At The Front
Heroes Remember
At The Front
Transcript
Description
The PPCLI arrive at the front line, just north of the city of Seoul. Mr. Nickerson recalls the gruesome sight that greeted them.
Ray Nickerson
Mr. Nickerson's father was a farmer and Veteran of the First World War. Mr. Nickerson was the second youngest of 10 children. Three of his older brothers served in the Second World War. He left school at the age of 16 and enlisted in the army with the PPCLI. His parents were not happy with this. After enlisting, Mr. Nickerson went to Curry Barracks in Calgary for basic training. He did his advanced training in Curry and in Wainwright, Alberta. In November 1950, his battalion was told they were going to Korea to serve with the U.N. force. Mr. Nickerson saw action near Pusan, Seoul and at Kapyong. While in Korea, Mr. Nickerson was wounded by a land mine. He was hospitalized for nine weeks. After his recovery, he returned to the front . Mr. Nickerson's tour of duty ended late in 1951 and he returned to Canada. He remained in the Canadian Army until his retirement in 1968.
Meta Data
- Medium:
- Video
- Owner:
- Veterans Affairs Canada
- Duration:
- 01:51
- Person Interviewed:
- Ray Nickerson
- War, Conflict or Mission:
- Korean War
- Location/Theatre:
- Korea
- Battle/Campaign:
- Seoul
- Branch:
- Army
- Units/Ship:
- Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
Related Videos
Basic Training And Underage
In basic training in Calgary at the age of 16 years, Mr. Nickerson remembers the others who were in training with him as well as their non-commissioned officers and instructors.
Korea Bound
In November 1950, Mr. Nickerson's PPCLI Battalion sailed for Korea. It was an uncomfortable crossing.
Night Attack!
Mr. Nickerson describes his first encounter with the enemy - a night attack!
Weather On The Front Line
Life on the front line became almost routine for awhile. But the weather conditions were, by times, cold, snowy and windy.
Dangerous Night Patrols
Night patrols were essential operations but were always dangerous. Mr. Nickerson describes his first experiences on a night wire-laying patrol.
Were You Scared?
Generally, fear was not a topic of discussion in the trench at the front line. But, according to Mr. Nickerson, it was very much a part of everyone's experience.
To The Hills Near Kapyong
In April 1951, the PPCLI Battalion moves to the hills near Kapyong. Mr. Nickerson re-constructs the first contact with the enemy there.
North of the 38th
By late summer of 1951, the PPCLI had moved north of the 38th parallel and the fighting had become a static war. Mr. Nickerson describes the fortifications that were constructed at this point in the war.
After Korea, An Army Career
Mr. Nickerson's one-year tour of duty with the UN Force in Korea ended in late 1951. He returned to Canada and remained in the Canadian Army until 1968. He recalls some of the peacekeeping missions he took part in, with some critical words regarding the United Nations at the end of the 20th century.
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