"In 1952 the year I was there the first snow fell on the 15th November and I can remember that day quite well because it was my birthday and it was also the first time I'd ever seen snow and I stood there like a damn fool with my hand out catching snowflakes.

"It was quite a novelty to me but believe you me as the days wore on snow and cold was no novelty.

"The Korean winter could be best described as cold and hard. It's like a steel trap. It clamps down. There's a leaden sky. You don't see much of the sun and there's this pervading cold which you can't escape."

PRIVATE DES GUILFOYLE