'Our first view of South Koreans or were they North Koreans', 1951

Photograph by John Whitehouse, 15 Division Locating Battery, Royal Artillery, Korea (1950-1953), 1951.

A civilian cycles past a Republic of Korea soldier (ROK). There was not a lot of British or American respect for the ROK as fighting soldiers, even though there is ample evidence that they often fought with great courage. The language and culture barrier prevented close comradeship and many British and American soldiers were suspicious, as they could not distinguish a North Korean enemy from a South Korean friend.

One of a collection of copy photographs taken by John Whitehouse, 15 Division Locating Battery, Royal Artillery.