Medal honour for Korean War veteran Frank Glossop

Veteran Frank Glossop was presented with the Korean Peace Medal by the Mayor of Rotherham, Cllr Alan Buckley, in a ceremony at the town hall. 

He was accompanied by his brothers Colin Glossop and Harold Glossop, who also served in the Armed Forces.

Mr Glossop, who served as a signalman in the Royal Corps of Signals during his two years national service, told how he was posted to Korea following basic training at Catterick.

“It took about four weeks to get there,” he said. “We had really bad weather and most of us were seasick.

“When we arrived in Korea on the troop ship Empire Pride, we were sent to various camps. Our job was to send and receive messages to all units.

“After being there a few months, the really bad weather came, bringing bad snows and sub-zero temperatures.

“We only had a greatcoat to keep out the extreme conditions.”

Salvation arrived in the form of parkers, which were lined with fur, and declared by Mr Glossop as “very good”.

The signalman was later posted to a new position where he was responsible for servicing weapons and said the real heroes were the soldiers who held hill positions in the face of hundreds of enemy troops.

Mr Glossop highlighted the heroics of Bill Speakman, who hurled rocks at the enemy after he ran out of ammunition.

He recalled his relief on finally heading home from Korea: “When we were ready to sail away from the docks, an American brass band started to play Will Ye No Come Back Again? 

“I can safely say the sky turned blue with the language that was uttered!”