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Korean War volunteers in Canada
Broadcast Date: Aug. 8, 1950
Prime Minister St. Laurent's appeal for volunteers sends Canadian armed forces personnel scrambling to prepare for the expected flood of recruits. Enlistment standards are loosened to encourage as many Second World War veterans as possible to enlist. By Aug. 26, 8,000 men have volunteered amid fears that the reduced standards will allow "riff-raff" to join. The CBC's Bill Beattie hears what has inspired one group of men to enlist.Korean War volunteers in Canada
• Among the military establishment's concerns with the character of the Special Force was the fear that it would attract warmongering recruits. According to Department of National Defense archival material, such a worry led the military to impose an 18-month limit on the duration of a soldier's service in the unit. Limiting service ensured a means of ridding the military of such unwanted elements when their time was up.Korean War volunteers in Canada
Medium: Radio
Program: CBC News Roundup
Broadcast Date: Aug. 8, 1950
Host: Bill Reid
Interviewer: Bill Beatty
Duration: 2:43
Last updated:
Feb. 14, 2011
Radio
3:29
The Canadian government announces its decision to contribute to the UN's military intervention in the Korean War.
Radio
7:20
Canada sends three destroyers to Korea as fears of a global war escalate.
Forgotten Heroes: Canada and the Korean War
Canada calls for volunteer soldiers
Canada reacts to talk of using the atomic bomb in Korea- A veteran recalls the Battle of Kap'yong
- War becomes routine for Canadian troops
- A veteran remembers Canada's Forgotten War
- Prime Minister Louis St-Laurent appeals for volunteer soldiers
- Lieutenant Colonel Jim Stone talks about Canada's first battles
Korean War volunteers in Canada.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: Feb. 14, 2011.
[Page consulted on Feb. 13, 2012.]