Correspondence

From: petercjones
Sent: Saturday, 10 March 2001 8:36 AM
To: Simon & Susie Jones
Subject: Hi

.....................I have a nine page write up on Korea that I am doing and Mum is helping vet and correct it. Will send you a copy when it has been completed. I hope that it is not too much of a whafle say what you think. Will be sticking a copy on to the rear of the picture of Hill 282 that we have.

From: petercjones
Sent: Sunday, 11 March 2001 11:39 PM
To: sobieski@gateway.net
Cc: Simon & Susie Jones
Subject: Argylls in Korea

I have recently redone my memories of Argylls in Korea a copy of which I send you as an attachment but realise what you are envolved in at present does not cover this.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 14 March 2001 10:37 PM

Hi There - I think this is excellent and great that you have done it

I have had a go at editing it a bit - hopefully have not changed your intent / meaning, but a fresh pair of eyes on it can make all the difference

Have a look at the attached and compare it to your original - hopefully some parts read a bit better?

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Sunday, 25 March 2001 9:31 AM
To: Peter Jones
Cc: Richard Morgan; Simon Jones
Subject: I have updated the site - you will need to go to

I have updated the site - you will need to go to:

From: petercjones
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2001 06:48
To: Simon & Susie Jones
Subject: Korean War

I have been reading an article from the Index that us about HMS Jamaica that doe not include the fact that there were three Argylls on board. The only mention the Middlsex and artillery lads.

I would like to send an e-mail if you can advise the address just to correct this error in an article written by one of Jamaica's officers that is most interesting.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2001 9:34 AM

I guess the article you mean is the one at: http://www.britains-smallwars.com/korea/Jamaica.html - this has a click able
e-mail link at the bottom which replies to the guys who own run the site and do doubt they can forward your comments to the writer a Michael Stephens, Boy Seaman 1/C

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Tuesday, 3 April 2001 5:38 PM
To: smallwars@hotmail.com
Cc: Peter Jones; Simon C Le P Jones
Subject: Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Dear Sir / Madam,

My Father, Peter Jones, served with the Argyll's in 'C' Company from August 1950 to April 1951 and saw action in Korea including Hill 282.

Work in Progress - my Father recently wrote his account of that time and I have put this onto a temporary website - the reason I say 'work in progress' is that we want to add some photographs and additional text. On the photograph front I am waiting for these to be sent to me (I am based in Sydney, Australia and my Father is in the UK) - I plan to scan these and add them to the site in due course.

In the interim please do not circulate this any further until such time as my Father & I are happy with it being more complete.

From: Martin Spirit - smallwars@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2001 2:36 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Hi Simon

Very nice page. I look forward to being able to place a link to it. I'm in touch with many A&SH Korean vets who will also be pleased to see it on the net in the future and I will inform them once you have published the page.

From: "Simon Jones"
To: smallwars@hotmail.com
Subject: A quiet man goes to war
Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 11:34:12 +1000

I enjoyed reading this very much but having a few troubles with expired links from the page - http://britains-smallwars.com/JSC-Dunn/index.html

Many thanks,

Simon

From: Martin Spirit
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2001 2:41 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: A quiet man goes to war

Hi Simon, me again

Thanks for spotting them, they must have got left behind in the big move we made last year. Please drop Mark a line when you publish your Dads page as I'm sure he'd vey much like to see it

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 4 April 2001 7:29 PM
To: usaspirit@worldnet.att.net
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: FW: Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Hi Mark,

I very much enjoyed the page that you pulled together about your father's time in Korea - my Father was also in 'C' Company and I thought you might like to see my "work in progress" site - detail in the e-mail to the guys at Small Wars below.

Please let me have your feedback - any thought / suggestions gratefully received.

Until finished (i.e. want to put some pictures up) please don't pass this URL on just yet - many thanks.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 16 April 2001 8:14 AM
To: smallwars@hotmail.com
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: Korean War - trying to contact Mark Dunn

Hi Martin,

I recently e-mailed Mark Dunn at usaspirit@worldnet.att.net but did not receive a response, so wondering if I have the correct e-mail address for him - if not please forward.

I was basically asking Mark to have a look at the "work in progress" page that my Father & I have put together - http://members.optusnet.com.au/~simjones/pjkorea/index.htm and to give me any comments he might have, especially as both Father's in 'C' Company at the same time.

With regard to our site - still waiting on my Father's photographs to be sent from UK, I will then scan these in and let you know when done.

We would be more than happy for you to include my Father's content within your own Britain's Small Wars 1945-1992 site and giving it your look n' feel - that's if you want to! The current page is a bit naughty as I have "borrowed" graphics from all over!! Suggest that if you are keen you take all the content and we will keep the existing site for our own use.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 16 April 2001 8:23 AM
To: hbarker@kwp.org; tbarker@kwp.org
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Attention: Hal and Ted Barker at the Korean War Project (US) - http://www.koreanwar.org/index.html

My Father, Peter Jones, served with the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders in 'C' Company from August 1950 to April 1951 and saw action in Korea including Hill 282.

Work in Progress - my Father recently wrote his account of that time and I have put this onto a temporary website - the reason I say "work in progress" is that we want to add some photographs and additional text. On the photograph front I am waiting for these to be sent to me (I am based in Sydney, Australia and my Father is in the UK) - I plan to scan these and add them to the site in due course.

I have also sent this link to Martin Spirit and James Paul at Britain's Small Wars 1945-1992 - http://www.britains-smallwars.com - as their site concentrates on the British based involvement

In the interim please do not circulate this any further until such time as my Father & I are happy with it being more complete - we look forward to any comments you might have.

From: Chris Weston - chrisweston@onetel.co.uk
Sent: Tuesday, 17 April 2001 5:36 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: FW: Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Good to hear from you. The home email address is thewestons@onetel.net.uk

I'll have a look at the attached at home, it looks interesting. My first unit, 170 (Imjin) Battery, 45 Field Regt, was also in Korea and won a battle honour at the battle of the River Imjin presented by the President of the US!

From: Martin Spirit
Sent: Friday, 4 May 2001 03:28
To: simon.jones@lineone.net
Subject: Re: Korean War - trying to contact Mark Dunn

Hi Simon

So sorry for the late reply but work has once again kept me away from home. I passed on your message to Mark and he informs me he has sent you a reply.

How is your Dads page coming along ? As i said we'd like to link to it as a "Recommended Link" when it's ready.

Ray was in Korea with the ASH and might even know your Dad. Ray in very much in the know if you want to check facts. He's helped me a lot.

Also you and your father might be interested to know that I hope to produce a television documentary on Britain's Forgotten Wars in the near future. I work in Dallas Texas as documentary producer. One of the synopsis's we have written for the series is for a program on Hill 282 I'll send you a copy of the synopsis if you like

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Friday, 4 May 2001 2:09 PM
To: Martin Spirit
Cc: Peter Jones (E-mail)
Subject: RE: Korean War - trying to contact Mark Dunn

Hi Martin,

"No worries" (as they say here in Oz) on the late reply - I know what it is like and equally stretched doing what we do here!

Thanks for passing on my message to Mark Dunn - his reply though seems to have gone awry, maybe he sent it to my Dad, I will check. When next you hear from him can you please ask him to repost - thanks.

Re my Dad's page - well not a lot happened, in fact nothing has as still waiting for my Dad to send thorough a few snaps! As per my last e-mail to you we would be more than happy for you to take the content that's already there and give it your look n' feel as an inclusion in your site. Up to you, but if link is your preferred route then happy either way! As said previously I have "borrowed" (!) a few graphics and guess should not really be using these without permission of the originator!!

I will most certainly contact Raymond Vernally and very keen to hear anything back from him - will let you know how we go.

I think the proposed TV Documentary sounds fantastic - was only watching an excellent series on TV here in Sydney a few nights ago called "Australians at War" and was thinking something similar on Britain's Forgotten Wars would be excellent viewing. This series, by the ABC, tracks all Australian involvement from Boer Warm WW1, WW2, Korea, Vietnam, UN Duties, etc.. Have a look at http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au and their Korea episode http://www.australiansatwar.gov.au/television/episode6.asp

So, many thanks for staying in touch, please let me know what you would like to do re taking my Father's content into your site (great home for it) and I will keep you updated as we go.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Friday, 4 May 2001 2:20 PM
To: Ray.Argyll@btinternet.com
Cc: Peter Jones (E-mail)
Subject: Attn: Raymond Vernally - Korean War - Argyles in Korea - August 1950 to April 1951

Dear Raymond,

I have been given your contact details by Martin Spirit and he recommend that I make contact with you as he thought you might find the following of interest.

My Father, Peter Jones, served with the Argyll's in 'C' Company from August 1950 to April 1951 and saw action in Korea including Hill 28 - he is CC'd on here.

Work in Progress - my Father recently wrote his account of that time and I have put this onto a temporary website - the reason I say 'work in progress' is that we want to add some photographs and additional text. On the photograph front I am waiting for these to be sent to me (I am based in Sydney, Australia and my Father is in the UK) - I plan to scan these and add them to the site in due course.

In the interim please do not circulate this any further until such time as my Father & I are happy with it being more complete.

From: Raymond Vearnals - Ray.Argyll@btinternet.com
Sent: Friday, 4 May 2001 9:08 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Argylls-Korea

I'm sorry to tell you that there are a number of points in the story that are not correct, I started to read the account of C company on Hill 282, which is wrong, it was B company that was on the Hill when attacked by the US planes, Lt Buchanan was mentioned along with a mate of mine Tommy Taylor, neither were on Hill 282, due to the fact they had been killed previously on the Naktong River defence, also it was Watts who was Major Muirs Batman, I'm in touch regularly with mates from the Battalion, I'll be in Stirling for the Re-Union on the 11th May & will be meeting up with them, most of them from B Company an wounded on Hill 282, if you go to :- www.britains-smallwars.com/korea/pq.htm you will see the account of Hill 282.

I was in A Company HQ section with Major Wilson, C Company was on our flank at the base of the hill, at NO time were we, A Company fired on by the US planes .

I,ve had to rush this< I'm due at the Doctor's, and wanted to get this off to you, I will promise to keep the story you sent confidential, till you say other wise, what I've said here you can confirm easily, your Dad will probably know the following who were wounded on the Hill & I know that none of the Pilots ever made contact with them, the Unit did send a donation to the Regiment.

Pat Quinn - Jimmy Hardy - Alan Grant - Sullivan - John Cree - Davie Simpson they are others I could name.

I'll be in touch again later, sorry about this, but over the years things do get muddled, Martin Spirit will tell you when any thing appears on the Net, that's not dead right, he gets mail from the men who was there & he's had to alter things.

Thanks again for mailing me, I hope to hear from you again, is it OK to mention these facts to a friend in Stirling maybe your Dad will know him, he served the full service term, Adam McKenzie, I'll say nothing till I hear from you.

Hope your Dad is in good health, which part of the UK is he living & is he a member of the Regimental Association,

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Saturday, 5 May 2001 4:30 AM
To: Simon Jones
Cc: petercjones@onetel.net.uk
Subject: Ray/Argylls

After I'd sent you the reply, I was waiting in the Doctor's and remembered that there were two Lt Buchanans in the Battalion, Lt CNA Buchanan was killed with Tommy Taylor on the Naktong, Lt MDW Buchanan was killed on Hill 282.

Thanks for all the sites re the Regiment, I have them, all the stories & photo's I scanned ,an sent to Martin, along with letters from each person to give permission to place on the Net, also the Pakchon story which Brigadier Wilson gave me. he was my Company Commander in A Company, I saw him at the London Dinner along with Viscount Slim also RSM Tommy Collett, who got the MM on 282, your Dad will remember them, I hope to see them next week in Stirling.

Martin was at the Re-Union last year, an I got the General Thomson to sign the pictures & story etc for the Aden site, Martin is over in the UK later in May & will not be able to be at the Re-Union, also Mark Dunn, came over from Canada last year.

Hope you are OK with what I've sent you, re keeping it to my self, I certainly will, Martin often sends me pages to check out for him which I keep to my self till they are on the Net.

From: petercjones
Sent: Saturday, 5 May 2001 7:34 AM
To: Raymond Vearnals
Cc: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Ray/Argylls-Korea

Reference your e-mail and errors that you say are in my account.

I suggest you read a copy of the Official Battalion History of 'The Argylls in Korea' which will prove your account as wrong in all respects except I may have the name of the batman wrong as I got it from some where. Major Muir's batman definitely came up onto Hill 282 with Major Muir and as far as I was concerned assisted Major Muir to fire the 2" Mortar although the Battalion History says it was Major Gordan-Ingram who assisted loading the 2" mortar. As I was within six feet of Major Muir I consider my account to be correct although I could be wrong, there was some confusion as you may imagine, it does not really matter. I will delete Private Taylor from my record and simply say 'Major Muir's batman.

Regarding your statement that only B Company was on Hill 282 is completely untrue. A Company was based at the foot of the Hill and both C & B Companies were on Hill 282. Your comments about 2nd Lt Buchanan are also not correct. Captain C.N.A. Buchanan and his batman who I believe was Private T. Taylor were both killed in the Nakton Area when out on patrol, the patrol got into a desperate situation and Capt Buchanan with Private Taylor told the rest of the patrol to withdrawn and gave them covering fire and both were killed.

As far 2nd Lieut. Buchanan was concerned he was a cousin of Capt. Neil Buchanan who was killed as above. Lt. Edington and 2nd Lieut Buchannan both badly wounded on Hill 282 and while Lt Edington was assisted down the hill Lt Buchanan along with other wounded were placed together below the crest of the hill to await evacuation. The American Napalm hit these wounded and killed them.

Your position with A Company HQ would mean that you could not have seen what went on, on the Hill as it was too high and was covered with a dense fir woods.

There is another glowing report by an American who was with the tanks who confirmed that he could see the recognition panels laid out correctly for the day again, no way could he have seen these from the bottom of the Hill.

Again memories get distorted over the years as you say but my facts are correct unless proved otherwise. We were all told that the pilots had visited the wounded and as you say their unit 93rd Bombardment Wing USAF sent a generous cheque for the families of those killed and wounded. This information all from the Official record.

The Argyll's in Korea written by Lieutant-Colonel G. I. Malcolm of Poltalloch. Published by Thomas Nelson & Sons Ltd.

I still suggest that when you are in Stirling, you purchase a copy of The Argyll's in Korea Battlion History which should confirm what I have said.

Yes over the years there is a fog over past events but the events on Hill 282 are too well printed in my mind and if you had been Napalmed you would remember all too well.

From: petercjones
Sent: Saturday, 5 May 2001 7:54 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Argylls

Si I know you have taken my account of Korea much to heart but I had not intended this to go all over the place.

It was to have been a family record. Getting into arguments with ex Argyll's I can do with out. Korea was a very rude awakening and I suffered from depression (currently called battle fatigue) and had awful dreams etc for years and this is all bringing it back as they say and I would rather put it into the past if I can. Proud to have been there but some ex soldiers just can not leave it alone and get very envolved. ie Ray Vearnals.

Please delete Private Taylor which I said was Major Muir's batman and just say 'Major Muirs batman' re Hill 282.

By all means discuss it with me in e-mails etc and we can see where we go from there.

We are off on Tuesday to Scotland until about the 20th May. All Save the Children this week and STC Bazaar tomorrow.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 7 May 2001 12:44
To: petercjones
Cc: Simon C Le P Jones (E-mail)
Subject: RE: Argylls

It has NOT gone all over the place - just to 3 people all of whom have been asked to keep it confidential until ready to go - which by the way I feel it should for all the very good reasons that Raymond Vearnals point out in his e-mail.

I first sent it to Martin Storm who runs the Small Wars website (which I think is excellent), he referred me to your new chum Raymond Vearnals (he too has confirmed it's security) and finally to the Korean War Project in the US who acknowledged it and showed little other interest as not from an American perspective.

I think it's good that this is getting sorted out as puts 'C' Company on the map and as RV says seems a lack of knowledge - time for you to put that to rights for you and the other guys.

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Saturday, 5 May 2001 8:55 PM
To: petercjones
Cc: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Ray/Argylls-Korea

Have read your mail re the one I sent to you of the account on Hill 282, the book you mentioned I already have, on the page between 60 & 61 there is a photo of others and my self. Simon sent me the mail to read and keep to myself & if I had any comments etc he'd like to know. Reading the book from page 17 thru to 24 you will see why there is a lot of different options re the Hill, not my options tho, Lt MacKellar & Sgt O'Sullivan led B Company up the hill, followed by C Company who occupied the Lower Ridge, after the Strike B Company with drew to C Company's positions on the Lower Ridge, finding that C Company was in a weakened state as them, after that it's history & I made no comments on what happened around Major Muir, only the ones which where they can testify to what happened.

The other item I pointed out was Tommy Taylor, a mistake any one can make over the years, re Lt Buchanan I was wrong due to I'd got the initials wrong, which I did sent to you when I remembered.

Re the pilots meeting the wounded, this was brought up long ago, those I know say they never saw them, must remember that some went to Hawaii, the States & Japan, so there is a chance maybe they did, the cheque they sent to the Regiment was for the sum of $882.85, from the 93rd Bombardment Wing California, that I have taken from the TRL Magazine, the reply Lt General Sir Gordon MacMillan's sent to them.

These are the only comments I can make, all from the book you quoted, like you said A Company was too far away to see the actual events, only those who was there can do that, true we all have memories and vivid ones too, mine was with A Company at the Battle at Pakchon, which later the Regiment was awarded the Battle Honour on the Standard, " Pakchon".

I hope when re reading what I sent you'll see I was not picking faults, it was as good a story of the Hill as others I've read, I guess you want it to be authentic and expectable, if I'd not mention the items & you put it out, there are many others out there who would.

I wish you well with the story, its over 50 years ago now & only those of us there remember Korea, re the 50th Anniv a few weeks ago on TV & papers, all you saw was the 29th Brigade , the Gloucester Hill & the Imjim, no mention of the 27th Brigade.

I hope you will keep in touch, an not take what I've said the wrong way, better to correct things now that when its too late.

Before I close, are you a member of the Regimental Association ?? reason for asking, on the 50th Anniv of the Korean War there was a parade at Stirling Castle, we all had the " Mounted Korean Presidential Citation ", which the Brigade got for the Naktong & was held back by politics, it is to be worn on the Right Breast by all members of the 27th Brigade who served on the Naktong, we also had a large Illuminated ( posh ) 11" x *1/4", " Letter of Appreciation " from the Korean Government, both in English & Korean from the Korean Vets.

I have a copy of the Citation from years ago from the War Office, if you want it, also I can send you the 27th Brigade Shoulder Flash , which I think you will agree would set off your story. That's all, a bit long winded, in closing read your page11, General Ridgeway took over Command, after General McArthur was killed in a jeep crash, Gen Ridgeway took over Command when Pres Truman relieved Gen McArthur, Gen McAthur died in bed in the US many years after the Korean War ended, I only know of one Gen killed in a crash, that was Gen Walker, US Army.

I certainly will have a good time in Stirling, the Lads are meeting me there & we'll finish up at the Regimental Club, " The Balaklava Club " in the Arcade, I'll not mention your story re Simon asking me to keep it to my self.

From: petercjones
To: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: 05 May 2001 21:03
Subject: Ray/Argylls.

Honestly I do not see any point in pursuing this we are getting no where.

My document was written for family consumption only but my son who a very experienced computer guy put it into a web site and made many excellent alterations.

My report was basically from my point of view as it must be. C Company were a few minutes later than B in getting to the top and some were used including myself as a reserve but the rest were used to help alongside B Company. The fact that the causalities in C company were as bad as B company proves that as you your self say, they must have done something.

Any way as far as I am concerned that is as far as I wish to go. Please do not pass on my report as I see no point in it. Age and the 50 odd years will mean everyone will have varying impressions/memories and it will get no one any where disagreeing with each other.

Major Muir's batman's name I agree is wrong and we will only refer to his batman but not his name

Have a super time in Stirling and hope all goes well, salaams to any of the lads who knew me but if only B company it will be few.

Peter Jones

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Sunday, 6 May 2001 10:30 PM
To: petercjones
Cc: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Argylls.

Thanks for your reply, I feel you're upset at the points I mentioned, better to put them right before they go on the Net, if you want my opinion , I'd alter the points I made to put them right, let your Son Simon add the photos he mentioned & finish the story.

I've read many and checked stories re 282, yours was readable an to a point accurate after 50 odd years, you've put a lot of time into it, so I say go on and finish it.

My reason for saying that is, on the small wars site, there are three stories re 282, all by B company men, to date, till Simon sent your story I had never seen or read any accounts of C company on 282, that's why I think you should polish it up, re do the names etc & let Simon go a head an place it on the small wars site, that way your hard work will be of good use, C company will be on record with the account of their actions on 282.

That way, what we all did over there will be down in history for the next generation to read about also at last C company will be there along with the rest.

Rest assured the print out that Simon sent me re your account will not be passed around its under lock.

There was one point I'm not sure if I told you, I spotted it last night when reading it again, Page 7 your story, it should read Major Gordon Ingram, not Graham, Re page 18 of the book you'll see that Gordon Ingram was B company Commander, not C company.

That Peter is the last point I can make, the story is fine and with the points altered, I'm certain no one will find fault with it, not only that, any C company men seeing it will be chuffed to bits.

You say you wrote it for the Family, OK, schools have computers now, put it on the Net, and your Grand Children can say, that's my Granddad, C company men , will say I knew him, & I was there, an also be able to show their families what they did over there.

What ever you decide, I hope things go well for you, we are all getting older with more aches every year, I've hit 73 now an still remember the cold.

If I did upset you making those points, I'm sorry, only trying to help a fellow Argyll.

From: petercjones
To: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: 06 May 2001 19:31
Subject: Re Ray/Argylls

Thank you will change Major Gordon Ingram will delete Private Taylor as Major Muir's batman - will just say batman.

Other than this my account as far as I am concerned is as I saw it.

I doubt that I will want this on the Internet however as is for home consumption.

Thanks again

Peter Jones

From: petercjones
Sent: Monday, 7 May 2001 4:52 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: HiSi

Will discuss if we are to put this on the net with you but I do not feel inclined.

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Monday, 7 May 2001 5:13 AM
To: petercjones@onetle.net.uk
Cc: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Argylls.

Thanks for your reply, what you do with it is up to you, tho I think you should put C company on the map so to speak.

If I meet any one who remembers you in Stirling, I'll let you know on my return home,

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Tuesday, 8 May 2001 12:55
To: Simon Jones
Subject: 282

Got your mail, the story you sent I saw when it first appeared on the site, it was put up by a Canadian, who from what we all know was never with the Battalion nor on the Hill, he says C Company was sent to Hill 388, your Dad will refute that, C company occupied the Lower Ridge,on HIll 282, read the book your Dad quotes " The Argylls in Korean " page 24 states C Company was on the Lower Ridge, to which B Company with drew to, an finding them in a weakened state also, that book is as your Dad said , The Official Battalion History of " The Argylls in Korea "

There are many stories told of the events on 282, the only ones that can re tell them, are those who was actually there.

I'm off to the Re-union on Friday & I've called a few mates so that we can meet up, B & C men, may be I'll get some info for you, a couple of them where wounded on 282,

I've sent to your Dad with a copy to you, I think he should finish it and put it on the Net, now that the names etc are right, he should carry on with it.

I hope to meet some one who was with your Dad at the week end, and will pass on their names to him, I will not mention the account you sent me OK.

The book your Dad quotes is about the nearest you can get to the event of 282, an if a Canadian who was not there, ( no one can find out how he got the info) can write a version, then why not your Dad who was there ??

Will be in touch when I return from Stirling, hoping I'm meet again the men who was there & knew your Dad, if possible I'll get some photo's for him.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Tuesday, 8 May 2001 9:50 AM
To: Raymond Vearnals
Subject: RE: 282

Thanks for that - I agree with you re the Canadian account, best it comes from those who were actually there - it will be great to get any feedback from the Reunion on Friday.

After all the e-mail flying around over the weekend (by the way I did not pick any of this up until Monday as had left the charger for my PC in the office!) I think I should explain that my Father has only in the last few years started to talk in any detail about his time in Korea. For a long time we badgered him to write his account almost as a cathartic exercise for him and also because like you I believe it is important for him, his family, others who served at the time and generations in the future who may want to better understand.

I guess your first response to my original e-mail >>I started to read the account of C company on Hill 282, which is wrong, it was B company that was on the Hill when attacked by the US planes<< got him a tad riled for reasons I guess you can now appreciate from the ensuing e-mail exchange.

It appears clear that that 'C' Company was on the Hill and he has endured not inconsiderable angst over the years because of 282 and all else that you guys had to tolerate in Korea - if not especially the apathy that the folks back in the UK appeared to have had for the whole campaign at that time. Amazing now that through the power of the net sites like "Small Wars" can exist and bring together like minded people who want to share experience and do something to make others more appreciative of what actually happened.

Anyway I have made all the corrections required to the site and now have the task of persuading my Dad that we should put this "live" on the net, something which at this current time he has severe misgivings about! I guess any supportive material (i.e. from the Reunion) you can obtain to help endorse his decision to run with it on the net would be useful, but quite frankly if he is set on not allowing it to run then I for one will not be pursuing it in the short-term.

Once again many thanks for taking the time and for your input into this and apologies if my Father has appeared a tad curt in the way he has written some of his responses - e-mail at the best of times can be very impersonal and it's immediacy can sometimes elicit responses that might not have been said if we had sat down and handwritten & posted the same. Overall I think this whole process has been good for him (hard to tell from 1/2 way around the world!), but also at this particular time it seems to be coming racing back at him and he is not enjoying it.

Lets give him some time, please report back on any news whatsoever from the Reunion - especially that which endorses his account and gives him the confidence to press the 'go to print' button on this piece of history.

Finally, the Flash came out great and I have added it to the bottom of the "secret site". I await the photo's from my Dad, but he has not been forthcoming to date - any that you get would be neat especially if we can scan these and stick them up on a site somewhere.

Please stay in touch and please don't take any of the recent exchange to heart - guess what with you being so active in the Brigade you have seen how experiences such as that which you all share effects different people in different ways - for some it is obviously a much harder road, even 50+ years on.

PS: I have NOT CC'd my Father in on this so please do not forward this in a later e-mail!

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Tuesday, 8 May 2001 10:44
To: Simon Jones
Subject: 282

Thanks for your mail this morning, I understand why your Dad got his back up, its hard, when some one takes your memory to task, I tried to help which you asked me to, all I did was point out the names etc, which I think he's now done, to have placed it on the Net as it was would have got a lot of come back.

I've already made plans to meet up with my mates & they'll look out for C Company lads who may have known your Dad, I hope to get names & photos etc when I come across them, then I'll be in touch on my return.

I'm up in Stirling regular plus the Dinners each year, so I do get about & well known at the Castle, re Martin the Web Master who lives in Texas, I met him at the Re-Union last year and got him to meet the General etc, all the Regimental sites re Korea & Palestine thru to Aden in small wars I've edited an checked them all for Martin plus all the photos etc along with letters of permission to have them on the Net, at the Korean Re-Union last year I met up with Mark Dunn , his Dad was in the Battalion 45/53, he'd come over from Canada to meet up with me for the Re-Union.\

I've enjoyed helping out, it keeps me on my toes, I'm 73 now and before I got into a computer, it was sit in front of the TV, stagnating , so when I get things to do like this I'm in my element, I've mates at the Castle when I need to confirm any thing, only this time, it was a bit harder than usual, due to not being able to mention what I was involved with, you asked me to keep it to my self,

Like you I hope my mails not only got him going , but got him out of the chair and knock mail out to both of us, it keeps the old brain working, and if the memory's good that's half the battle to keep you going.

Phone call just now, I've got the names of four C coy men, I hope to meet up with at the week end, we arrive back late Sunday night, so it will be the Monday before I can send any thing to you, would you rather I send to you, or CC it your Dad also. I ask because in his last mail he wanted to call it a day, I think I sent you that one.

I still say now that the points I made have been altered, add photo's, he should have it edited finally ,and put it in the small wars, I said before, two of the stories are from B coy men, not from C coy, & yours is the first I've seen of C coy's account, & I've read a few believe me, I hope he will let you put it out, BUT, in the end it's your Dads decision., the print out I have is save under lock, any time you want me to, I'll shred it OK.

Glad the 27th Flash arrived OK, you can not get one for any price, I got it years ago from my friend in the Castle, I'd be lost with out my scanner.

I have NOT sent this to your Dad, which you requested me not to, best let him settle down an think about, tho I'm sorry he was upset, I had no intention to do that, only to put things right.

Thanks again for you mail, I will keep in touch, I'd like to know when you put it on the Net.

Oh, there was some thing else, never got round to asking your Dad, his rank and Platoon etc, its easier to ask for any one if you know those facts, if I ask your Dad he'll know I'm carrying on, when he said stop, be pleased if you can let me know before Thursday evening.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 9 May 2001 11:39
To: 'Raymond Vearnals'
Subject: RE: 282

On the website front I have made all the changes and apart from the photos all is ready to go - just needs an OK from him.

RV >>would you rather I send to you, or CC it your Dad also. I ask because in his last mail he wanted to call it a day, I think I sent you that one<<

I reckon best that you send it to me in first instance and lets see how he feels about it all in a week or so

If OK with you, can you please froward me all the e-mails he sent to you, as don't think I was CC'd on all them

RV >>I've enjoyed helping out, it keeps me on my toes, I'm 73 now and before I got into a computer, it was sit in front of the TV, stagnating<<

That's great and as you say an excellent way of keeping the mind ticking over and being of great help to people like me who want to get involved but can't dedicate the time due to work commitments, etc

RV >>I've mates at the Castle when I need to confirm any thing, only this time, it was a bit harder than usual, due to not being able to mention what I was involved with, you asked me to keep it to my self<<

I reckon at your Reunion you should feel able to verbally tell his 'C' Company account as you now know it, otherwise its going to be a tad tricky for you to elicit any reaction / response - but as previously agreed lets not for the time being give out the URL (or print out) or elude to its existence - your assurance noted about it being under lock & key

RV >>I have NOT sent this to your Dad, which you requested me not to, best let him settle down an think about, tho I'm sorry he was upset, I had no intention to do that, only to put things right<<

I agree totally and reckon for time being we need to let the dust to settle on this - what will be helpful is any supportive feedback that you can provide from you chats - especially any from fellow 'C' Company members

RV>>never got round to asking your Dad, his rank and Platoon etc, its easier to ask for any one if you know those facts, if I ask your Dad he'll know I'm carrying on, when he said stop, be pleased if you can let me know before Thursday evening<<

I know its dreadful but I don't know and as you say asking him now is probably not the best bet! What I can tell you is that he was born in Ceylon, but due to the WW2 was bought up by his his Aunt & Uncle, Sir Ruthven & Lady Monteath (Mable), at Duchally Estate in Auchtarader. He went to school at Morrisons Academy in Crief and was called up into the Argylls for his National Service. I am pretty sure that he ended up as a Sergeant, but no idea what rank at time of Korea or what Platoon. After National Service he went to Ceylon to become a tea planter as his Father was before him. I & my sister were born in Ceylon until we returned to the UK around 1965.

Anyway - have a great Reunion and report back when you can - no rush. Have a good one.

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Wednesday, 9 May 2001 7:48 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray

Hi Simon,

Thanks for your mail, will need to go thru the mails I sent to your Dad, did not save them, only print out, this PC is old only Pentium 100, with 1 gig hard drive, it will do all I need to do, some times wish it was faster, but its doing OK.

Thanks for the info, will not say any thing re the story, can ask with out mentioning it.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 9 May 2001 8:11 PM
To: Raymond Vearnals

Ray - that's great - don't go to too much trouble re the back e-mails as sure I have pretty much the full set! - stay in touch & enjoy Stirling my last memory of which was huge kipper breakfast!! - Cheers, Simon

PS: Do you use any of the online Messenger services, i.e. ICQ, MSN Messenger, etc?

PPS: Ray your PC sounds more than up to the job - possible speed issue could be quality of your ISP connection or non 56k+ modem?

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Wednesday, 9 May 2001 10:47 PM
To: Simon Jones

Hi Simon,

Thanks again, the attachments, are the only two which did not CC'd to you, all mine I sent to you & your Dad these two are the last your Dad sent,that's the reason for me only sending to you now.

I have a external modem 56K & BTinternet is pretty fast, a friend's got a 400, really fast, still like you say this is adequate for what I do.

Yes, I have MSN Instant Message, I use it to communicate with my Nephew in Texas, I think I have a password for it which is different from my E-Mail one , I installed through Hotmail, ray_vearnals@hotmail.com

Will be in touch on return & my camera is loaded, so fingers crossed we may get some thing, Thanks for the info you sent, already know right now, he was a Cpl when he when on the Jamaica, got that by phone just after I'd sent my last mail to you.

That's all for now, thanks again for mail, must start to sort my gear out for the trip.

By the way, I did ask your Dad, an you'll have a copy of it, doe's he have the medal ribbon, I mentioned it in one of the mails, I may be able to pick one up from my mate in the Castle.

Just added another attachment, I've scanned the Citation we got re the Ribbon, thought your Dad would like it, leave it till later to give him.

From: Simon Jones
To: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Thursday, May 10, 2001 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: Ray

Hi Ray,

RV >>By the way, I did ask your Dad, an you'll have a copy of it, doe's he have the medal ribbon, I mentioned it in one
of the mails, I may be able to pick one up from my mate in the Castle<<

I don't really know - I remember ages ago seeing some medals but not sure this far on what was what - I will check with him when the time is right - as said until recently it's all been very much kept in the background.

RV >>I've scanned the Citation we got re the Ribbon, thought your Dad would like it, leave it till later to give him<<

This is brilliant and many thanks - hope you don't mind but what I have done is resized it a tad so that it fits better in a browser window - give it a try - so that it does not get confused with your original file I have changed the file name slightly

Anyway enough from me, have a great Reunion and let me know any news as you get it - as said before no rush.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 10 May 2001 10:24
To: 'Ray.Argyll@btinternet.com'
Subject: Citation Ribbon Korea.gif

Is this the ribbon?

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Thursday, 10 May 2001 6:56 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ribbon

Hi Simon

2. Re the Citation, it came thru fine, I'm not into doing things like that,I know there are many things that can be done on a PC, more for the younger folk, a little too fast when you're getting on. I agree it will look better, in fact I cut mine down so it would look better in a frame. - your scanner is a good one and gets lots of detail - problem sometimes wit that is it creates a file that is too large for the browser window - I have some graphics software that can reduce the graphic size, added benefit is that it also reduces the file size making it easier to send via e-mail / put on a website!

3. You did not say whether your Dad's got the Ribbon, if I can twist an arm at the Castle, I'll get one for your Dad
in case he's not got it. - I am not sure if he does or not, assuming that he may not?

4. I wrote to a Guy in Western Australia, last week, he'd put an article in the Korean Vets magazine re the Citation, they know nothing about it, and they are entitled to wear it, being in the 27th Brigade I sent him a spare Ribbon an the details re applying for it. - that's great, seems the Ozzies had a fair go in Korea too - Vietnam was next for them

5. Did you get that Ribbon in Australia, the Guy I wrote to said they'd never seen it, or is it a picture. - it's a picture that I found on the net, just did a search on an amazing search site call Google - try www.Google.com and type in something like "Korean War Citation" and you should find lots of relevant stuff - mainly American though!

6.You mentioned Instant Messages, are you able to use MSN - I am - I did a search for you using the e-mail address that you gave me and could not find you on MSN Messenger - will give it another go when you are back from Stirling.

That's about it, by the way, how is the time between us, if it's 12 noon UK, what's the time with you. Thanks again, will do my best to find any thing out, will be busy, also checking a project for Martin, so I'll be in the Castle for a while, that's where you can pick things up. - we are 9 hours ahead, so 12:00 in UK will be 21:00 with us currently - say currently because in our Summer (your Winter!) we are 11 hours ahead!

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 12 May 2001 6:33 PM
To: Ray.Argyll@btinternet.com
Subject: Citation & Ribbon

Hi Ray,

I have just added the Citation you sent me and the Ribbon I found onto a subset page of the website I have done for my Dad - let me know what you think

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 12 May 2001 10:56 PM
To: Ray Vernalls
Subject: more ribbons!

Hi Ray

Me again! I have found 2 more ribbons on the Internet - I know 1 to be the UN Service Ribbon (the multiple striped one) - can you tell me what the other is?

Thanks,

Simon

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Sunday, 13 May 2001 7:53 AM
To: Ray Vernalls

From: Raymond Vearnals
To: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, May 14, 2001 2:57 AM
Subject: Q&A's

Instant Messages, I think I went onto MSN thru Hot Mail, an the address I used is ray_argyll@hotmial.com

Thanks for all those mails, just opened up when I arrived home, now shattered & off to the shower, will be in touch , need to go thru lots of scraps of paper for info I've picked up for you & the project for Martin in the US.

Also the whisky is still in the body, been a long week end, so it'll be early to bed.

Sounds like a good few early nights are in order! - as said before no rush from my end so please don't burn the candle at both ends on our account!

The Ribbon - that would be fantastic - please let me know what I owe and I will get you a cheque sorted out - better still I could pay it direct into your account via Internet banking - let me know.

Instant Messaging - I have added you to my MSN Messenger list - did not work first time I tried as your spelling of "hotmail" in the address supplied had a small typo - should read ray_argyll@hotmail.com

I have ended up with two MSN Messenger accounts - the one for my office PC is yambay00@hotmail.com and my home PC is sclepjones@hotmail.com - that way I can "chat" with the 'Mrs' when she is online at home and I am in the office!

Website - I spent some time over the weekend adding some more content to the site - included in this is a page on 'other country medals' and I think the ribbon that we did not recognise is the US Korea Service Medal - have a look at them all under the USA heading http://members.optusnet.com.au/~simjones/pjkorea/medals-other.htm - they seem to love their ribbons and have to admit that some of them look really good!

Please let me know what you think of the updated site - incudes a picture of my Dad albeit one from 1956 as currently have no Army ones.

Other than that have a good rest and look forward to hearing any news as and when you have time.

Simon says: Hi Ray - how was Stirling? - and hellos from Sydney! - clever stuff this.....!
Ray says: Hi, Just came on, the answer is still shattered, the Re-Union went well, met my old platoon commander, first time since 1947 when he left the Battalion, he was awarded the George Medal in Palestine, we were in the bomb an mine disposal S company, so that made it all the more interesting, was on the move a lot doing two jobs, your's an Martins, now waiting for items to be posted to me, tho after
Simon says: Ray - as said in the e-mails, there is no rush from this end - so please don't on our side - how's the weather with you today? - here we had about 22c and clear blue skies all day - that's winter for you!! - anyway - best I leave you to get on - especially as just been given the 5 minute call to supper
Ray says: drink they forget & need to be reminded, I met a guy who with your Dad, Willy Fyffe, 7 Platoon C Company,, an a couple of others who say they knew him, Willy was on the Hill with your Dad, and knows the story of events, did not mention your story at all, how ever this will interest you & your Dad, I'm expecting photo's from Willy,, when the Jamaica was shelled and the men killed, he's photo's of
Simon says: looking forward to receiving anything as and when - in interim please have a look at the website as added a few extras as per my e-mail - that's interesting stuff - guess best that we pull all of it together and lets pitch it to my Dad when he comes back from his holiday - it would be great to get Willy/F chatting to my Dad - will have to work on that one!!!
Ray says: the scene an of the shrapnel damaged helmets. OK saw you mails last night, the Citation was dated 29th Sept, but it was for action on the 5th Sept to 15th Sept. Would like if you can your Dads number rank in Korea, some thing I want to do, - Will be in touch, thanks for the Instant address. - Keep well.
Simon says: I will try and find out for you - you too keep well and get an early night again!! - thank you so much for all you are doing - best regards, Simon
Ray says: Keeps the old brain box on the go, Bye.
Simon says: Bye - catch you later - Simon

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2001 2:41 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Info - [info from Stirling Reunion]

HMS Jamaica
Sgt Wallace. Sgt No Name. Cpl Carmichael. Cpl Jones.
Photo's of shell damage & helmets damaged by shrapnel.

C Company
William (Willy) Fyffe 7 Platoon, with your Dad on the Hill
Harry Young C Company.

Ray says: Hello, This time it's you who are due for bed, me I'm in out of the rain, again.
Simon says: Hi Ray - just been watching "Cold Feet" on the tellie - good to keep in touch with Blighty!! / Yup time I was in bed and just cam in to turn off the PC! / The ABC here is more liek the BBC than the BBC is!
Ray says: Looking thru the site you sent The Australian Map site, came across the answer to some thing in your Dads story, re Mac Arthur being killed, & I said t I thought it was Gen Walker but not sure, if you go to the Aussie Map site, to stage three it gives the true account, so you'll be able to make alterations. Hope to hear from Willy tomorrow re the photo's or I'll call and remind hime, OK let you go to bed,
Simon says: So - guess it's good night from me and hello rainy day for you....
Ray says: OK, good night.
Simon says: I wil check out the story - stay out the rain now and Good Afternnon to you..... / C Ya soon - Simon

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Tuesday, 15 May 2001 11:13 PM
To: Peter Jones
Subject: Slight alteration required....

Hi There,

The attached is from an excellent Australian website I recently found - have a look at: http://www.awm.gov.au/korea/intro.htm - excellent interactive maps, etc

Half way through the interactive map bit it has the attached screen - suggest that we tweak your story a tad as it appears that it was General Walter Walker who was killed in a road accident and not Gen Douglas MacArthur.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 8:05 AM
To: Peter Jones
Subject: RE: Slight alteration required....

Forget the last change as dates a tad awry - suggest this instead, i.e. name change from MacArthur to Walker re who was killed in Jeep crash - as seen from documentation found last night Gen MacArthur was relived of his duty by Truman on 11 Apr 51 (he lived until 1964) at this point Walker became Supreme Commander of UN forces

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 12:32 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Slight Alteration

Your change seems OK, BUT, when I first sent to you ,when you sent your Dads story, I did mention it was Gen Walker who was killed & not Gen MacArthur, and said I was not sure about it, Gen Ridgeway was put in to replace Gen Walker , he was in Command at the Yalu, tho not over all Command, that was still MacArthur till he was replaced by Truman.

I reckon you've got it about right, it was the Aussie site that caught my eye. It's a pity the Korean War was not so well reported like Vietnam, it was the forgotten war, and every story is different then we have to get the facts right, and the only way to do that is thru stories by those who knew what happened.

You should be about right now with what you've changed, I bet there will be no come back re the story now you've made the changes, plus the photo's etc it will look good.

I do hope your Dad won't be upset at all the info I got, after saying he wanted to drop it, I will also ask Willy if he'd like to chat to your Dad, an let you know.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 16 May 2001 8:14 AM
To: Raymond Vearnals

Thanks for that Ray - as you say very much a Forgotten War but seemingly more interest being shown now if only by the like of you guys who were there recording your accounts, guys like me who had a parent there and are showing interest and people like Martin who are putting these so calls Small Wars on record at last.

I have just recorrected my correction (does that make sense!) from last night as that Korea Facts site was quite handy on the dates - if only US ones, notice that Hill 282 not even mentioned!

Re the info you got - my Dad still on holiday and I will try to assess his mood re all this when he returns - as yet have not forwarded your info but will do at the right time.

Re Willy - I reckon it would be great if they made contact, so please let me know if interest from Willy

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 10:19 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Jamaica ??

Hi Simon,

Hope you get this before you go to bed, did a fast run with the scanner, the attachments are the photo's, if you can reply before you go to bed, I'll try again if no good, before I close down for the week end.

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Thursday, 17 May 2001 10:32 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Jamaica

Hi Simon,

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Friday, 18 May 2001 8:07 AM
To: Raymond Vearnals
Subject: RE: Ray/Jamaica ??

Ray - sorry you missed me, I went to bed! Anyway I have the pic's and they are excellent - I will crop them and tweak them and post to website for you so see & save if wish - thank you, Simon

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Friday, 18 May 2001 5:01 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray/Jamaica

Hi Simon

Hope the photo's came out OK, also sent them to Martin the web master, read the account of Jamaica, an saw your Dad had put them right re Argylls on the trip, the other Jamaica site by the Captain only mentions the Middlesex & Artillery.

Have you seen the update of Hill 282, on www.britains-smallwars.com/korea/hill282.html It's a lot better since the update, most of that I got for Martin & the Men mentioned all live close to me, it's pretty good, any way, right at the end there is a mention of me, & photo taken with Martin at the Re-Union when he came over, the one on the right photo, the young one is Martin the older one on the left is me.

Weather here is still the same , pouring down no stop, we'll have web feet soon.

OK that's all for now, let me know if the photo's got to you so that you could make them out.

From: petercjones
Sent: Tuesday, 8 May 2001 07:16
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Ray/Argylls-Korea

Yes he has facts wrong and so did I. I e-mailed you yesterday via Yambay in error can you pick it up.

I will try and get you a copy of the Argylls In Korea official history to see he is talking a lot of nonsense about C Company not be on Hill 282. Major Gordan Graham should be Major Gordan-Ingram. Re Major Muir's batman delete the name Private Taylor and just put batman (saves a lot of arguements) No doubt he is correct.

I do not want this account on the Web site until you and I have chatted as I can not be putting up with lots of disagreements etc. This guy was not on Hill 282 and seems to have a lot of B Company friends who say different things as they would as everyone sees it from their point of view.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 21 May 2001 9:38 AM
To: petercjones
Importance: High

Hi There,

He does NOT say that 'C' Company was NOT on Hill 282 - yes we know he did initially but he has stood corrected since you put him right - why are you being so sensitive about it? You put him to rights!

Since then I have made all the changes you required + I have corrected the error re Gen MacArthur being killed in a Jeep crash - history showed he lived until 1964 and that it was General Walton Walker who was killed - minor error and changed.

Finally Ray contacted me after the Reunion and says that he made the following contacts - including William (Willy) Fyffe, 7 Platoon, who was with you on the Hill - this totally confirms the fact that Ray now knows he was initially wrong re 'C' Company being on the Hill.........

So, I think now that basic alterations have been made (if it had gone up wrong then people would have shouted!) you should put this up not only as your own unique account but also for a whole bunch of people who are interested in what happened (family and generations in the future) and for the remaining Argyll's who were there with you - as Ray says there is no known 'C' Company account so now that its corrected please put it up.......

22 May 01 - 17:30 - MSN Messenger transcript

Ray says: Hi, Thanks for your mail, been off since Thursday evening, due to the radiators being installed, had to move all this gear, tried to start up the other night, but usual problems when you close an reopen, must have at least 20 odd e-mails to check out an reply, so this a quickie, got to start to put the house back in shape, read the story, looks OK now, will mail you later when I'm finished
Simon - says: great to hear from you again - I am updating my CV as potentially going for a new job! / hope you are nice and warm now?!
Ray says: Yes it's a lot better than the hot air system, but with my luck, now warm rads, and the sun is shining, reckon summer is on the way, so the rads won't be in full use till winter, an over here that could start tomorrow. Have you been in touch with your Dad yet, re the events while he's been away, wrote to Willy re the photo's, he's not on a computer nor the phone, so can only contact him by letter / hope to have a reply from him soon, except, the Post Office here local went on strike last Friday, so no mail going or coming.
Simon says: my Dad got back over the weekend and I really need to pick up the phone and chat to him / would be great to hear from Willy / perhaps you could send some of your heating down here - freezing by Sydney standards! / I think we will win him round............!
Ray says: Got to make a start now, the men made a good job, but still need to polish an dust an put things back, just wanted to get this up an running, so I'll leave you for now & catch you again, I see you are in your cold season now, any way I hope your Dad's not up tight re your efforts, Bye for now.
Simon says: amazing how much dust gets everywhere when you have work done! My Dad should be bloody flattered with all the attention - I fired off an slightly angry e-mail to him as he seemed to have his record stuck re you not believing he was on the Hill - told him to stop being so stupid as you had accepted that he was and that we had moved on from there! Seems to do this now a days - gets something in his mind, we all move on an yet he is stuck in the past!! / bloody annoying!!
Ray says: OK, I know he took it the wrong way when I first mailed him, it happens, no problem, got to go Simon, till later Bye.
Simon says: C ya later and thanks for everything once again - Simon

Simon (WORK) says: morning Ray!
Ray says: Morning Simon, or is it almost evening with you, just opened up in case any mail for me, it's 9-10am here an I have a couple of guys calling to take away the old heater, thank goodness, it's very hot again here, maybe we are to have a little summer at last, instead of all the rain we've been having.
Simon (WORK) says:how hot's very hot?
Ray says: nothing like you have I guess, in the 70's i reckon just now.
Simon (WORK) says: amazing how quickly one gets aclimatised - we arrived in Oz at thsi tiem of year 3 years ago and I ythought it was warm - now I feel it's freezing!! / 70's is very nice - here it's abot 10c at night and about 21c duringthe day - forgotten what that is in F / anyway will leave you to it - not heard from my Dad yet - probably sulking again!!
Ray says: I have no idea what they use now F or C, all beyond me, like changing over to decimal was bad enought, god help us if we go Euro / I find that us English (still one even though an Ozzie too!) use F for hot temps and C for low - that way it loosk wider range!!
Ray says: OK, re your Dad he will be pleased with what you've done with the story, the 27th Flash came thru nice on the end of the story, OK will let yougoet back to work, got to go my self now sounds like they are here. Bye.
Simon (WORK) says: no I am just heading off to the train station to get home - Susie off out tonight on a school thing (hopefully not her toy-boy again!!!! / C Ya - Bye

From: petercjones
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 6:54 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Ray/Argylls-Korea

Thank you for all you have done. Have just read the amended version and as far as I am concerned let it go on
the Web.

Sorry but I am not someone who wants to show off or push myself into the front. As I have said several times this was done for the family as it might be of interest I hope - anyone else is secondary.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 08:56
To: 'petercjones'
Subject: RE: Ray/Argylls-Korea

Hi There,

I fully understand you original reasons for doing this, i.e. for the family, but it turns out that you have a unique account inasmuch as this is the first 'C' Company a/c that anyone seems to have seen.

On that basis I think you are right in letting it go onto the web (by the way what that means is just letting the Small Wars site have access to it and NOT flaunting it everywhere) as it will be I believe of much interest to others who served with you / at the same time, to future generations and to many others who are interested in events at that time.

Better that we have gone through the process of getting the names etc correct prior, as basic historical inaccuracies is what people would jump on. As far as we know it's now in great shape and will I am sure be of huge interest to people with their own interests in what is still pretty much 'The Forgotten War' - hopefully your account and all the others that are being pulled into good quality sites (like Small Wars) will give a greater understanding of what really happened.

What I suggest we do is keep the existing site where it is for family use (by the way some pic's for this site would be really good) and that the actual text (only) of the account we let Martin Storm put up on his Small Wars website - let me know if that's OK?

A good thing about going on the Martin's site is that any correspondence can be fed via Martin rather than giving out your e-mail address direct - that said see no harm in doing so or even putting up my address as sure that any correspondence you might get will only be supportive.

Please let me know about this and don't worry I think it's a great account and you should be very proud of what you and the others did and it's about time that 'C' Company were put on the map - so to speak!

Sorry to hear that you are still feeling low with, hopefully the antibiotics will knock it on the head soon.

PS: What did you think of the Citation, medals, map and pic's that I put up on the site? The Citation and Pic's Ray supplied.

From: petercjones
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 7:34 AM
To: Simon Jones - [Think intended for Ray/V]
Subject: Re: Ray/Argylls-Korea

It seems that it is pointless going on too far - for instance one platoon of C Company held the lower ridge and the rest were with B Company on the top - 50 years who can be more accurate. Rest assured that C Company were not just
doing nothing and as you have stated that after the Air strike C Company just as short as B Company in numbers and if not in action how was this?

I or at least my son has amended my version of events having corrected some errors pointed out by you for which many thanks.

From: petercjones
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 7:52 AM
To: Simon & Susie Jones
Cc: raargyll@btinternet.com
Subject: Hill 282.

Ed Hansens account is pure hearsay as for one thing the Canadians joined the 29 Commonwealth Brigade quite a long time after 282.

May be 388 is a hill close by but his account that the Planes should have struck 388 is in my knowledge completely inaccurate.

The Argyll's Commanding Officer Lt Col Neilson called in the planes to support B & C Companies on 282 because the Americans had withdrawn their Artillery, our 3" Mortars could not reach our location and we had no other help. In fact the whole thing is in accurate and a where it was got from I do not know!

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 9:49 AM
To: Ray Vearnals; smallwars@hotmail.com
Subject: Peter Jones - 'C' Company - OK to go 'live' - need to discuss how!
Importance: High

Dear Ray & Martin,

Well it looks like my Dad is finally in agreement that his account goes 'live' - see excerpt from his e-mail below:

My suggestion to my Dad is that we keep the updated site (Martin not sure if you have seen this recently) at http://members.optusnet.com.au/~simjones/pjkorea as a 'family only' one and that Martin takes the main text of his account and puts it up on his Small Wars site - which I reckon is by far the best home for it as in context, surrounded by complementary content and does not have all the "borrowed" graphics that I have on my effort!!

I replied to his 'go live' e-mail with the above suggestion and hopefully not too assumptive Martin that you might even want his account (!) - lets see how he responds and go from there, but I reckon best bet is letting you have the content for your site if you want it - please advise.

Martin, one issue is how would you handle any feedback, i.e. would it go to you direct, or would you use my Dad's / my e-mail address - guess in some ways better that feedback goes through you and you pass on to him / me - but interested to hear what your preferred route is?

So all the heartache in getting to the current version looks like it has been worthwhile and many thanks to you both for bearing with it through all the changes - especially you Ray as you received the brunt of his recalcitrance!

I hope that this 'C' Company account (which appears to be unique) will be of interest and help put them on the map - please let me have your thoughts re the content going onto the Small Wars site as against leaving it sitting on my attempt.

Looks good. I'll take the text and the pic of your dad and add it to BSW in the Korean Chapter. I can put your e-mail address on the page if your like ? that way if anyone who wants to get in touch with your dad they can send you a mail.

I'll be in london for the next few weeks so it will be the middle of June before the page is on BSW, I hope this is OK.

Thank you so much and please tell your father at it is a honor to be able to place his memory's on our web site.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 26 May 2001 7:26 AM
To: Martin Spirit
Cc: Ray Vernalls

Hi Martin.

That's great news and many thanks as think your site is by far the best place for it - just been "chatting" to Ray via MSN Messenger and he is keen to see the pictures that he sent me go up somewhere on your site - have a look at:

Re picture of my Dad - that one is actually from his wedding in 1956!! Still trying to get him to send me some Argyle pic's to scan - will forward these / add them to my site when ready!

Have a good time in London (miss it very much!) - also hear you are going to the Channel Islands - my family on my Dad's side are from Guernsey - still lots of links there

The ABC "Australians at War" series (think I sent you a link to their site) is currently running - they are doing Korea this week so will tape and try to get a copy to you and Ray - in UK and AU we are on the PAL system, so not suer it will work in US

PS: Re the e-mail to go on you site - guess you should use my e-mail address that way I can filter stuff through to my Dad.

From: Raymond Vearnals
Sent: Friday, 25 May 2001 6:52 PM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Ray?Story

Hi Simon,

So you managed to bring your Dad around, I thought maybe he'd have his back up with us carrying on after he wanted to stop, seems you talked him round, what did he think of the photo's re the Jamaica & the men I met from C Company ??

I see no reason why he shouldn't put it on the Net, told him when I first saw it, was as good as any I'd read, with the few alterations names etc it was OK., better to put it right before it went on the Net, then there is no one to find fault with it.

Re what to do with it, well I'm not into that, the one to talk about that end, is Martin Spirit, he will be away from home in a few days, he is visiting the UK on business, I heard from him last night re some thing we are doing and we'll not be in touch, till he returns home, unless he gets his hands on a PC.

That's about it, when I left you yesterday morning, thought the men had arrived to remove the old heater, it was the Boss, they can not do it till today, so I'm expecting them any time now, I hope.

Thanks for the mail, I bet you are well pleased your Dads let you have your way re his story for the Net, I've noted the address an will look out for it, will pass it around to those who have PC's or their families have, also there are Officers who want me to keep them informed re new stories re the Regiment.

Hi Ray - thanks for this and guess we "chatted" on MSN [below] after you had sent this - thanks for all you help and looking forward to seeing it on Martin's BSW site sometime in mid June - great stuff - thank you for all you help - best regards, Simon

PS: I have will forward you his comments re the photographs - have also mentioned to Martin (hope it's OK with you?) that you are keen to see these pictures go up on BSW - hope that's correct!

Sat 26 May 01 - 07:00 - MSN Exchange transcript

Ray says: Hi, Thought you would be in bed at this time, I'm lost with all the time zones, just come off talking to my Nephew in Texas, he's six hours behind UK, and another mate in Perth is also a different time, have to stop an think what the time is each time I make contact.
Simon says: hi - no just got up to do soem work before taking Cahrlie to soccer (read football!) it's 06:50
Ray says: Right, 6:50 am with you, here its 9:50pm, warm, for a change, its been very hot the few days, an Sunday back to normal, rain. Have you been in touch with Martin re your Dads story yet ??, your Dad took it in good part then, that we'd carryed on with it. / yes he did which was good - as we thought needed a bit of time to think on it all after so long - as you saw I cioeed Martin into the e-mail but have not had anything back from him yet / do you think it's bets within the Small Wars site? / best - even! / Right, you may have to wait a while, he's coming over to the UK on bussiness, I think it was either today or tomorrow he was leaving, he called me yesterday & if he gets chance will call me when he arrives, he's also going over to Jersey in the Channel Isands. He's been pretty busy getting ready for this trip, its important.
Simon says: that's fine - it's waited this long so will wait awhile longer / do you think my Dad's account sits best on his site - I fee it does? / that said, hope Martin wants it!
Ray says: Yes, I see nothing wrong with it going on the Small Wars Site, along with the other stories re Korea & The Hill, you are only putting the story on, not all the other things re medals etc, so I reckon it would be fine there, I think Martin would say the same , as he read the finished story ??
Simon says: no - only the text of his account - will leave the other siet up but will not "promote " it
Ray says: I'm sure he'll want it on the Small Wars, also, think about adding the photo's taken on the Jamaica to the part he tells the story, just a thought. / guess it's best he has a look at the site I did and takes what he wants?
Ray says: I think he will take the story you sent me now its edited, did your Dad see the Photo's & told him about Willy Fyffe ?? / yes I did - not heard back from him on that - have you heard from Willy yet? / best refer Martin to the siet though as that is the most bang up to date account / version
Ray says: No, theres been a postal strike here since last Thursday, they go back to work normal tomorrow, so mail is going to be very very slow coming thru, I'm off now to have a shower then bed, catch you again. Bye
Susie & Simon - HOME says: catch you later - sleep well - you will be glad to know that Saturday is a glorious day - at least it is here!!

From: petercjones
Sent: Saturday, 26 May 2001 5:40 AM
To: Simon & Susie Jones
Subject: Hill282

Yes OK leave with Martin on his site.

A bit worse today with the cough back and runny nose but still taking the pills so all is hopeful. Do feel bad and Mum and I have been doing the garden with bedding plants etc and again tomorrow.

Peter Jones

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Saturday, 26 May 2001 7:33 AM
To: petercjones
Cc: smallwars@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Hill282

Great news - that said it is not on Martin's site yet and from an e-mail just received from him will not go up until the middle of June.

What I have done is sent Martin the URL and I would envisage him taking the text of the account only (none of the other stuff on our site) and possibly the pictures (have you seen these yet?) http://members.optusnet.com.au/~simjones/pjkorea/photos.htm

Martin will put my e-mail on his site - that way I will field any response and forward it to you - hope that's OK

From: petercjones
Sent: Sunday, 27 May 2001 5:48 AM
To: Simon Jones

Have seen Photos and seem to remember some.

26 May 01 - 19:00 - MSN Messenger Transcript

Ray says: Sorry, went away for a while, yes, don't worry Martin will take as is I'm sure, an the photo's will really show it off, plus some one will see the site, with connections to the Jamaica site & then pass it along, so more to visit the site. / I'm glad your Dad is taking it at last, I did'n mean to up sert him, just to point out the odd item that was not right, so he's letting you do what you wanted from the start, put it on the net, right you'll be getting ready for your guests so till next time. keep well, Bye
Simon says: Ray - all is fine and you were right to get him to cover off all the facts before going live with it - I am very grateful and he should be too - yup I better go otherwise going to get shouted at (again!) - just coming up to 19:00 here - been a lovely day - warm in the sun, chill in the shade & not a cloud in the sky - best weather going! / C Ya soon - Simon

From: Simon Jones
To: Peter Jones
Sent: Wednesday, May 30, 2001 12:34 PM
Subject: Pic's

Hi There

Are you going to send me some pic's to scan in? Also can you let me have you Serial No, rank, platoon, etc.....

From: petercjones
Sent: Thursday, 31 May 2001 5:14 AM
To: Simon Jones

I can not find any pictures at the moment.

From: Martin Spirit - smallwars@hotmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, 20 June 2001 5:04 AM
To: simon.jones@lineone.net
Subject: Hill282

Dear Simon

So sorry for the delay but I've just got back from the UK. Just put your Dads page up at http://britains-smallwars.com/korea/Jones.htm Please check it out to make sure your both happy with what I've done.

I have much to tell you about the documentary. Is your Dad interested in taking part ? If so I'll send you the latest synopsis. Your dads account of Hill 282 is one of the best I've ever read, so much detail.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 20 June 2001 9:04 PM
To: petercjones@onetel.net.uk
Cc: smallwars@hotmail.com
Subject: Fw: Hill282

Hi there - please see message & URL (link) from Martin (cc'd here) re your account going live on the Small Wars site

I have to say that I think it looks great, but if you have any issues with it please reply ASAP - as you can see Martin has given my contact details so I can field any response first

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Wednesday, 20 June 2001 9:11 PM
To: Martin Spirit
Subject: Re: Hill282

Hi Martin,

Got into the site straight after I e-mailed you saying having issue - always the way! I think it looks great and as you will see I have forwarded your e-mail separately to my Father asking if he has any issues.

As you may have heard from Ray he found reliving some of this stuff a tad daunting after so long and we had to coax him into allowing his account to go beyond just family use. Basically he was (and probably is still) a tad wary of his story going out for all to see, so any approach re his getting involved in your doco would have to be handled very sensitively! Suggest that you send us the synopsis and we let the seed of the idea grow with him.

Many thanks for doing this and I am very pleased me eventually managed to persuade him to go live with this as I reckon it's important that his story is told - cathartic for him, puts 'C' Company on the map and is in its own small way a good record for helping to better understand the Forgotten War in general for current and future generations.

From: Martin Spirit
Sent: Sunday, 24 June 2001 10:33 PM
To: simon.jones@lineone.net
Subject: RE: Hill282

Hi Simon

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 25 June 2001 11:20 AM
To: Martin Spirit
Subject: RE: Hill282

As per other e-mail - yes it's a runner - many thanks, Simon

From: petercjones
Sent: Monday, 25 June 2001 7:10 AM
To: Simon Jones
Subject: Re: Hill282

I notice it is somewhat amended with pictures etc deleted but otherwise seems as good as I can make it. Let it go and I hope not too much disagreement results from other ex Vets.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Monday, 25 June 2001 11:19 AM
To: smallwars@hotmail.com
Cc: Peter Jones
Subject: FW: Hill282

Hi Martin - got a reply from my Dad just before receiving your chase-up - please see below - take that as in the affirmative - very many thanks fro all your help and lets hope this gets some interesting response - Very best regards, Simon

The page should work now. I just took it off line until I had the OK from you and your Dad.

I notice from your dads e-mail that he was expecting to see the same of the images that you had on your page. Am I correcting in saying you asked me NOT to use any of your images? That's why I changed the lay out and added new
images.

Any way please say a BIG thank you to your dad from us. It is a great honor to be able to publish his account of Hill 282.

Ray & Simon - 01 Jul 01 - 17:50
Ray says:
Thanks for your mail, pity about the match, but we have to win, some times. Still wet weather here.
Simon - HOME says:
I knwo - enjoy that 1 as next 2 are ours!
Ray says:
is that the wrong way round ??
Simon - HOME says:
we have the 3rd round of the Statae of Orgon on tonight - Rugby League and NSW1 / Queensland 1 - so tonight the big show down and here League is VERY BIG! no right way round - you won, we lost last night!!
Ray says:
no I meant about the next two games
Simon - HOME says:
who knows - got to go in belioeving it! do you folow League - I never did in UK but love it here very fast and very well suported
Ray says:
No, nor football, tho I do watch the big games on TV, Simon, I'm getting a lot of feed back re the story, asked who he is, also I'm told a couple of the men who was among the 14 on Hill do not recall him and are going to ask the rest, also he said 7 Platoon B company, there was no 7 Pltn in B company only in C company, others asking who he is and did I know him, told what I knew only helped with
Simon - HOME says:
intresting - keep me informed - that said wher does B Compnay coem in as for all I have seen never seen any mention fom him re B Company
Ray says:
names, could not comment on Hill 282, on Friday I got a call from RSM Tommy CollettMM, some one had told him about the story, he's no PC, asked for a print out, Tommy was at the time of 282, the Company Sergeant Major of C company, says he can not recall a Jones, but will check it out, so I thought I'd pass on all this, do not under stand what its about, never got any thing like this before re any
Simon - HOME says:
awlays said he was in C Company - well - not sure what to make of it - why woudl he lie? - not as if he was seeking the publiclity!!! as we talked him into it!
Ray says:
of the other stories, have wrote to a man who was in the platoon your Dad said he was in, again he's not on the computer, so will wait till I hear from him and let you know, also waiting for a reply from RSM Collett, he got his MM on the HIll.
Simon - HOME says:
well keep me informed as I say and lets get all the facts before taking thsi back to my Dad as if he feels therathned he will pull it liek a shot
Ray says:
Wait, things happen over the years, DO NOT upset your Dad with any of this, remember like you said he was pushed, every thing seems right to me, but like I said before I can not make any comment re the HIll, I was not up there, just wait and see what I get back from the one in his pltn & the RSM, OK,
Simon - HOME says:
once you have all the raction - perahps best put it in an e-mail and I will work through it from there - don't worry I am NOT going back to my Dad with any of this just yet - please keep me informed though....... - he wrote his acocunt way before I ever mentioned it going up for all to see - it was just for family viewing - if he had embesllished anything (HIGHLY UNLIKELY) then he had many occasions to alter prior to it going 'live'
Ray says:
Remember there are always sour grapes, right now I wish I'd bloody well kept this to myself, but you did ask me if I'd got any feed back, Also, up to now I have NO Names put to these remarks, except for the RSM who called me for a print out and up to now I've heard nothing from him, he may not have got the letter yet, so you see, it's in the air, what ever you do you must never tell your Dad, at
Simon - HOME says:
as I say - I will NOT be taking any of this to him until we knwo who is saying what / where - this is just the sort of thing he did NOT wnat from any of this - Ray I agree - lets see what happens and dont worry I am not going to say anything to him - let me knwo how you go with the RSM - he shoudl know
Ray says:
Lets ride it out, my self I think it will run dry, the story's not been on line long, some folk like to tear things apart, may be some jealousy about, hope you are not up set at all this crap Simon.
Simon - HOME says:
Please keep the feedback coming and if you want me to handle of it get them to get in ouch with me - No I am not upset - lets see how it settles - best go now as match about to begin! - Stay in touch and don't worry - I am not - as you say maybe a whole ton of sourgrapes
Ray says:
No, you don't want your address passed about, you know what fools there are on the net, once I hear from the RSM I'll mail you, remember it's over 51 years ago, I doubt if I can remember every one except close mates in my section, never mind Platoon - started to rain again and I've got washing on the line, will catch you again , I'm not at all worried re all this shit Simon, but thought you'd like to know, bet in a few days it will all be over and forgotten. Keep well, have a good day
Simon - HOME says:
well my e-mail address is on the site - as you say would never give out my physcial address! - You too have a good day - and pleas ekeep my informed re what happens - once again I will NOT be letting him know - C Ya - Simon
Ray says:
Right, the problem is Simon, not many my age have PC'c, so it's all phone calls, pity every one's not got a PC - Off into the rain. Bye
Simon - HOME says:
Stay in touch - Simon - Bye....

Ray says:
Hello, - Any one there, or are you at dinner, reckon its about that time with you, its 10am here
Simon - HOME says:
Hi Ray - I have just got in - Susie had the PC on - here once you connect you can stay on all day!
Ray says:
Did you get my e-mail, re me away for two weeks from tomorrow ?
Simon - HOME says:
no - I have not had any e-mail form you - where are you off to?
Ray says:
the War Pension Remedial Centre for two weeks I go twice a year for a check up, more or less a convelance stay.
Simon - HOME says:
soudns liek a great thing to do and what an amazing service - feel I coudl do with 2 wweks there too!
Ray says:
Simon, I've been awake most of the night, worrying re the story, it's driving me up the wall, with not being on the Hill can not comment on what went on there, so in the dark, there is some thing very wrong some where. Had a call from the RSM, who was the Company Sergeant Major of C company, before & during Hill 282, and after, he's made the same remarks as the others, he can not place Peter Jones
Simon - HOME says:
well I am at a total loss too - I can not in a million years imagine that he is fabricating any of it - bizare - first thing is that you must NOT worry yourself about it - there must be an explanation - why woudl he lie - and that I guess is the assumption people appear to be making
Ray says:
also he says things are not right, there is no 7 Platoon in B company, Major Muir did not take any one up with him, he came with his escort from Battalion HQ, there was no Middlesex carrying ammo on stretchers they was not on the Hill, only at the foot of it to help with the wounded, he only seems to mention him self & Major Muir, the other stories on the site are all know men and mention all the
Simon - HOME says:
well I really don't know and without te abilty to ask him ( can nto verify any of it - what do you reckon we shoudl do - very tempted to have his acount pulled form the site as not doing anyone any good here
Ray says:
wounded, he asked if RHQ know of this, like they do of the others, they know the web master, there is the usual meeting soon at GHq, and I guess the RSM wmay bring it up, I'm still waiting for a letter from a man who was in C company, I hope he can cast some light on this. it's starting to get me down, glad I'm going to be away for a couple of weeks,
Simon - HOME says:
that said - there has to be an expnanation and I don't liek the way this is poitning or the assumption being jumped at (not by you) but by others - Ray 0 you must NOT get youreslf up tight about this - there has to be a proper expanation and you worrying about it is not going to do you or anyone else any good
Ray says:
I do not know, what to say Simon, I know nothing of 282, there is some thing not right, but what, give me a sec to read what you've said, I can only type two fingers and not looking at the screen.
Simon - HOME says:
Please Ray - do not worry yourself about this - all these things happend a long time ago and I am at a total loss to explain any of it - all I keep thhnking is why woudl he fabrcate it - even if he had he woudl have been adamant that it shoudl not appear once there was a hint of it going 'live' on the net - bizarre!
Ray says:
Right read it all. I have no idea what to say,some one must know your Dad, I'm waiting for a letter from the man who was in C company, and the main thing is, HE is the one I met at the Re-Union, and sent me the photo's taken on the HMS Jamaica, after I'd mentioned your Dad and the story he was doing, remember I never told him about having the story, you asked me to say nothing till you was sure it
Simon - HOME says:
as you say someone must know him - so lets let the thing cool down a bit and gather any otehr information togehetr before we jump to any conculisons - woudl you like me to give you a call now - if so what's your number?
Ray says:
was going out, you see he seemed to know your Dad, I think I told you that, so I hope he'll write soon, not on the phone or PC, my Son will send any mail down to me while I'm away, unless I can find a PC on line there, I'll have to wait till I arrive home to get in touch with you, so I really hope he'll have some thing concrete to tell me, I'm real sorry about this Simon, never come across the
Simon - HOME says:
Ray - please stop apologising, it is NOT your fault and please promise me you will NOT worry about it - there has to be an explanation and lets stay calm until we knwo more - lets see what the guy who knew my Dad says - somone must know him - until then lets just allow a bit of time to sort this out....
Ray says:
like of this, and I feel terrible telling you,
Simon - HOME says:
Ray - as said before there has to be an expolnation otehr than the one we are both jumping to - lets give it soem time and see what comes out of the woodwork - just promise me that you will not worry about something that is NOT of your doing - have a good break and put this from your mind - I think in teh interim I will wrte to Martin and get him to pull my Dad's account from his site - that said removing it might just compound it - buggered if I do and if I dont!!
Ray says:
OK, but it'll not stop me thinking about it while I'm away, there must be a logical reason, time etc, it is 50 odd years ago, then again you don't forget your mates names, will wait for Willie to write, I'll try to find some one in Scotland who can get old of him, he lives in Duddee to get him to contact me, I'll phone a couple of mates this afternoon...my phone number ..0161-483-3528, tho after
Simon - HOME says:
woudl you like me to give you a call now?
Ray says:
tonight I'll be away. that should read Dundee, it'll cost a bomb to call me and I think I've told tyou every thing, I feel some how things will come round in the end, so I'd do nothing yet and best not to mention it to your Dad, remember his age, lets wait till I hear from Willie.
Simon - HOME says:
looks liek Willie is our best bet - lets hope he rembers something cause as you say you are hardy lieley not to remeber your mates names!! - Actually calling from Oz is not at all exepensiev - but as you say I think you have told me all you can - was more to reassuer you that I don't want you to worry about this as will not do anyone any good getting themsleves ill over thsi stuff - as you say all a long time ago
Ray says:
When I mentioned the story re your Dad, he seemed to know the name, that's when I mentioned HMS Jamaica, and he said he had the photo's and would send to me, which you have.
Simon - HOME says:
Ray - lest leave it there - have a great break and try not to worry about any of this - can't say anymore than that....... - I will send you the transcript of this and last nights "chat" for your records

Simon - HOME says:
rAY DO YOU STILL HAVE THE msn mESGENER OPEN? - JUST LOST TEH TEXT!!!!!! - if SO GO FIEL SAVE! - I closed it befoe saving it all!!!!
Ray says:
ouch, think I closed but pressed save, will take a look
Simon - HOME says:
OK!!! - I have most of it - just not the last few munitess!! - minutes even! - dont worry if not got - I have 90% of it as did a cut & paste near the end!!!
Ray says:
No idea what I'm doing, not all that well up on some of these things, looks like I've not got it onto floppy or documents, sorry, never thought about saving messages.
Simon - HOME says:
dont' worry as say got most of it - now have a good break and lets "chat" when you get back - C Ya, Simon
Ray says:
OK, Ta Ra as we say, thanks alot Simon for your remarks, do feel a bit easier having spoke to you, Bye

From: EmmaB1969@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, 5 July 2001 3:56 AM
To: Simon.Jones@lineone.net
Subject: From Ray/Dad

Hi Simon,
My Niece Emma is sending this for me, I need your Dads` Army Number A.S.A.P. May have solved this problem for you. Sorry still on my mind, send reply to Emma, Is this the best email address?
From Ray.

From: Simon Jones
Sent: Thursday, 5 July 2001 9:04 PM
To: EmmaB1969@aol.com
Subject: RE: From Ray/Dad
Importance: High

Hi Ray,

Final Rank: Sergeant
Serial Number: 19039664

Let me know how you go and do NOT worry about this as you are meant to be taking a break!!!!

From: EmmaB1969@aol.com
To: simon.jones@lineone.net
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2001 1:39 AM

Simon,
Great:19039664 places CPL P.Jones `C` Company on 282. Also 2 other Jones` in `C` Company. Not heard from Willie yet
This is from the Castle records. Scrap all previous crap, Sorry will now rest , I`ll be in touch on 17th July,
Ray.

From: Simon Jones [mailto:simon.jones@lineone.net]
Sent: Friday, 6 July 2001 9:15 AM
To: EmmaB1969@AOL.COM
Cc: Simon Jones - LineOne

Ray - as we said there had to be an answer - still curious to know what all the others "think" they know / saying! As you say let this go for awhile as you are meant to be resting and recuperating! Catch ya soon, Simon