PUSAN AND MAURICE BELL
Peter Dearsley in Suffolk read the masterful and moving article on this site from B&C 93 Dec 99 Korean Odyssey 1999 by DJ Jerry Willmott CBE QFSM and wrote:
"I am researching the War Memorial on which my grandfather (a WW1 Norfolks casualty) is commemorated with a view to producing a Roll of Honour.
Although the memorials were erected to commemorate the fallen of WW1, names have since been added of those who died in later conflicts. One so remembered is Maurice Bell of the Royal Norfolks who is buried in the UN Memorial cemetery in Pusan, Korea.
In search for information on Pusan, I came across the B&C article written by Jerry Willmott giving a moving account of a return to Korea in 1999. I would like permission to use some of the material from that article in producing the Roll of Honour and would therefore ask if you could either supply an address for Jerry Willmott or pass on this request to him, please.
Acknowledgement would be made of the source of any material used.
Further, if anyone has any information on Maurice Bell or photographs of his grave, then this too would be much appreciated. I know only that he died on 27th June 1952, aged 19. Whether this was a result of accident, disease or enemy action I do not know."
Jerry Willmott holds the Intellectual Property Rights to the article so his permission has been sought.
Can anyone tell us more about Maurice Bell and do you have a photograph of his grave for Peter Dearsley?

22477716 Pte Maurice A Bell is listed in The Roll of Honour on p 134 of "History of the Royal Norfolk Regiment 1951-1969 Volume IV" ISBN 0 9521770 0 5. Published in 1993, the book, by Maj Bob Godfrey MC BA, can be purchased from the Regimental Association, Britannia House, TA Centre, 325 Aylsham Road, NORWICH, NR3 2AD, Tel 01603 400290, at £8.50, incl postage and packing.
Pte Bell is also mentioned in Issue 40, Nov 1952, of 'Britannia', in the Roll of Honour on p11 and a report of the minefield incident in which he died is on p6 and p14.

Please e-mail anything you have to the Norfolk Editor.

Webmaster comment: See Korea Revisited 2002 by Bill Buller which offered a photograph of the grave of Maurice ABell.

SHORNCLIFFE CAMP 1983
Maj David Reed TD VRSM, former OC D Cambridgeshire Coy, 6 RANGLIAN, wrote in B&C 97 Dec 01 about Foggy Oakington 1973.
He now recalls Shorncliffe Camp in 1983.
Further to my last correspondence, I seem to have a couple of other reminiscences, both go back to Shorncliffe Camp, in 1983 I think.
1. B Coy Skullduggery. Numbers were a bit short at camp that year, as the CO, Lt Col David James, had decreed that courses were the thingand so many soldiers had no leave left to attend camp that year. Anyway, it fell to me as OC to lead one of the Gaza Cup teams.
As I was pretty fit (for my age) and could map read, I thought I stood a pretty good chance of winning. However, I had not counted on an undercover agent in the form of a certain sergeant from B (Bedford) Coy. This particular SNCO could run like the wind, but could not read a map to save his life! I knew that because he competed in an orienteering competition with me and managed to finish last having covered most of Thetford Forest about three times!
This SNCO was going to lead one of B Coy's teams in the competition.
Came the day, we all trooped down to Lydd Ranges and the competition began.
Anyone who knows the area well will know that it is particularly featureless, has little or no contour lines and is covered in shingle.
Most teams were therefore running carefully on compass bearings, but not this B Coy SNCO. Whenever he and his team were spotted, he was running at speed, no compass and his map carefully tucked in his back pocket. Needless to say, his team won by a mile.
After the event, my curiosity got the better of me and after a little research, I found that this SNCO had spent all week on the range and had more than likely 'helped' to set the course!
Suspicious? Me?
Comment by Webmaster: I was a DS for that competition and can confirm David's suspicions. What say you, Maj (now Lt Col Alan Fairless and Coy 2IC Maj Alan Spearing?)
In Apr 03, John Whatley, then CSM B Coy, refuted these libellous (or is it scandalous?) allegations.
Click here for his statement.

2. Stand Out Memories of 6 R Anglian at Shorncliffe in 1983 The second anecdote refers to an assault course competition held at the same camp. In one of the HQ Coy teams was a certain red haired, pneumatic young female officer cadet. This was well before the days of sports bras and so her progress along the course was followed with more than a little interest by the avid spectators. (Where was the Webmaster? )
All this came to a climax at the 12 foot wall. By this time, the young lady was absolutely pooped, with the colour of her face matching that of her hair. Guessing what was coming, a large throng of spectators had by now collected on the 'home' side of the wall.
The team leader had decided on a plan which involved all the team apart from the OCdt and 2 others, taking themselves and their rifles over the wall. The 2 men would then shove the OCdt to the top of the wall and she would then roll over the top and down the other side.
Unfortunately, this did not happen. The crowd was treated to the sight of a red mop of hair with a red face slowly rising above the top of the wall. This was closely followed by straining arms and then a quivering chest.
Suddenly, her arms gave way and she slid back down, her chest jammed down on the top of the wall with her head neatly dividing her bosoms! A gasp arose from the crowd and the team leader dropped the pile of rifles he was holding into the sand.
Much of that camp was a bit of a blur to me, but certain things really stood out!
Comment by Webmaster: I had only recently handed over HQ (Suffolk) Coy and was OC A Coy at Shorncliffe in 1983. I can't exactly recall your 'pneumatic young female officer cadet' but Capt Felicity Bowden mentions Angie Caulder who was there and I think she was a red-head.
But maybe someone who was there at The Wall knows differently? Can anyone tell us more?

Please e-mail anything you know about this 'pneumatic young female officer cadet' to the Norfolk Editor.

In Apr 03, John Whatley, in 1983 CSM B Coy, confirmed it was indeed Angie Caulder!
Click here for his confirmation and see 6 R Anglian archives.

COURTEOUS AMBUSH COMMANDER
Capt Felicity Leicester TD recalls when the ratio of male/female in 6 RANGLIAN was very different.
The courtesy of one ambush platoon impressed me greatly.
It was an absolutely freezing night, in the days when for some reason only the men were issued thermal underwear. "Girls - bad luck - you are just girls."
The only warm underclothes I could find when packing were bright yellow PJs - not quite as camouflaged as the military issue.
I hopped out of my trench to water the plants, hidden behind a bush so no problems.
While returning to the trench we were ambushed!!
I was politely told afterwards that they were all watching, but thought it nicer to delay the attack.
Thank goodness it was a VERY dark night and thank you to the ambush commander!

And see 6 R Anglian archives.

EMPIRE ORWELL
Pete Williams wrote: ‘My late father served in the R Norfolks and sailed to Korea on the Empire Orwell. My Aunt (his sister) saw a film in the cinema (possibly Pathe news) that showed the Norfolks setting off. My dad was apparently in several shots. If you know of this film or how I could get to see it I would be delighted. Also, any links that would show any photos or history of the ship would be great as 50 yrs on this is the only section of my dad's life that we don't know about and if we don’t find out then perhaps it will be lost.’
Webmaster Comment: Try a click here for a photograph - 1951 Empire Orwell 5 Pl B Coy
And click here for June 2002 responses which arrived before B&C 98 Jun 02 was printed!
Click here to read, from B&C 99 Dec 02, of Pete's success in acquiring a copy of the Pathe film.
Click here for how to view, for purchase, Pathe News film of the Empire Orwell and Royal Norfolk Troops boarding for Korea in 1951.

If you can help, write to Pete via the Norfolk Section Editor.

JAMES YOUNG AND COL OSBORNE 1956-57
Paul Young seeks information about his father, James Young and Col Osborne. They were connected with Norfolk ACF 1956-7.
If you can help, write to him via the Norfolk Section Editor.

This appeal is repeated on the 'Did You Know These of The Ninth' page.

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Editor, Norfolk Section, The Britannia and Castle
B&C Norfolk Editor