TWO south Essex veterans who served in the Korean War have shared their stories ahead of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that signalled the end of the battle.

The war was fought between North and South Korea for three years between 1950 and 1953 and Southend’s Joe Hill and Ron Yardley, from Stanford-le-Hope, were among 57,000 British troops who fought in Korea.

China and the Soviet Union backed North Korea, while the US and allied countries fought the other, including the UK.

Sadly, 1,100 Brits lost their lives - more than any other conflict since the Second World War.

The war concluded on July 27 with the signing of the armistice that formally ended the war.

To commemorate seven decades since the end of the Korean War, the Royal British Legion has invited veterans and their families to participate in Remembering Korea - an event at Horse Guards Parade, in London, to acknowledge the service and sacrifices of this generation.

Mr Hill is among those set to attend.

He served a varied role, including overseeing 70 men in the Signal Platoon at the tactical headquarters.

Mr Hill had to travel at all times of day, including broad daylight, to check that all companies and platoons had the communications equipment they needed, which he noted could be clear targets for the enemy.

He said: “We had to make sure all the lines were running correctly.

And we checked and mended lines all throughout, come snow, wind, or rain.”

Mr Hill enjoyed the thrill of the conflict, but admitted that he was also “scared stiff” at times.

He also remembers the conditions, saying: “Whatever happens to me for the rest of my life, I will never be so tired, I’ll never be so hungry, I’ll never be so cold, and I’ll never be so hot as I was serving in the Korean War.”

The war began when the Communist forces who ruled the northern half of the Korean peninsula invaded the south following clashes along the border and rebellions in their target’s country.

Mr Yardley, from Stanford-le-Hope will also be joining Mr Hill.

At just 18, Mr Yardley joined HMS Belfast as she prepared to head to the Korean War, serving as Ordinary Telegraphist.

He started in the main radio room taking down shipping forecasts and deciphering Morse code.

Mr Yardley said: “It was a challenging task having to write down the messages in long hand. If you missed something out, it could change the whole meaning of the message.”

One of the main functions of HMS Belfast was to carry out heavy bombardment of enemy targets along the Korean coastline.

Whilst life onboard was at times difficult, Mr Yardley cherishes the experience and his memories of the crew.

Philippa Rawlinson, director of remembrance at the Royal British Legion, said: “More than 100,000 British and Commonwealth armed forces fought in the Korean War, facing harsh conditions, freezing winters and fierce battles.

“Many showed great bravery despite, at times, being heavily outnumbered by the enemy.

“More troops were killed in the Korean War than any other war since the Second World War. Yet now, 70 years on since the end of the conflict, many feel Korea is the ‘Forgotten War’.

“It is vital that we all remember and honour those who served in the Korean War and that their sacrifice is never forgotten.”