My uncle was a medic in 26 Field Ambulance attached to 42 Field Artillery in Korea when he was killed in 1954. His burial records contain a grid reference as to where he was found but it seems to be a military grid reference. Also the records have been completed by members of 293rd Grs Reg Co and 114th Qm Co (GRREG), who are Americans. The forms are American ones. Can someone please explain to me (a) what was a medic doing attached to an Artillery unit in 1954 (b) why would his burial forms have been completed by the Americans With thanks for any assistance you can give me.
A. Virtually all units will have medics attached to them in war time due to increased likelihood of people becoming casualties. Saying that my old regiment still has personel RAMC badged perminately attached with them.
Thanks Drew. I've been at the Arboretum today and met an acquaintance who served in Korea. I asked him the same questions and he gave your reply to part (a) of my question. As to part (b), his explanation was that my uncle was probably taken to a M.A.S.H. unit and that's why his burial records were completed by the Americans on U.S. forms. Does that make sense?
Hi Sheila, Yeah that could be the case I guess-It does make sense now you mention it. I know from experience that sometimes Americans will tend to British wounded and vice versa and obviously it will be Americans etc doing the paperwork which would at some point be forwarded on to the parent unit. Regards Andy
That does seem to be the most logical explanation - that and the fact that although he died on 12 June he wasn't buried until 21 June. I'm given to understand that had he been in the care of the British he would have been buried within three days of his death. So, having solved that little problem, how would I find out about the map reference of where he was found? It was CS187012 Korea if anyone can help.
That does seem to be the most logical explanation - that and the fact that although he died on 12 June he wasn't buried until 21 June. I'm given to understand that had he been in the care of the British he would have been buried within three days of his death. So, having solved that little problem, how would I find out about the map reference of where he was found? It was CS187012 Korea if anyone can help. Evening Sheila, is your Uncle now buried in one of the Military Cemeteries? If so do you know which one, or could you post a name
Evening Sheila, is your Uncle now buried in one of the Military Cemeteries? If so do you know which one, or could you post a name He's buried in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Pusan. This link relates to my uncle. : : : : Welcome to the United Nations Memorial Cemetery! : : : : Down on the right hand side is a button marked "burial records" which is where I got all my information from.
What a great website ! Sheila may I suggest you apply for his Service Records. This will help dot the I's and cross the T's. Reading the pdf I think he may have been a victim of some sort of explosion ie Artillery, Air Strike or Mine. It mentions 'no clothing found with remains' which is consistent with a large explosion(Apologies if that is upsetting). It may also explain why it was sometime before he was buried. Regards Andy
Andy, you are correct in that he was involved in an explosion. A few years ago my husband, mum and I met up with my uncle's friend from his training days. Said friend was delighted to be posted to Korea in June 1954 as he knew he was going to meet up with my uncle again. Sadly, he arrived the week after my uncle had been killed. However, he was able to tell us the story of how my uncle died. Apparently, there had been heavy rain during the week leading up to June 12 and this had caused landslides and all sorts of other such mayhem. My uncle, the doctor and their driver were in a jeep going to (or coming back from) a village when they hit a landmine. Uncle was 22. And yes, it is a fantastic website. Sheila
