Thankfully the time arrived to depart Korea and those leaving were transferred from Pusan to Kure, where HMT Asturias was docked and ready for our return voyage to the UK.

However, this coincided with the signing of a truce document at Panmunjom which commenced a protracted exchange of prisoners of war. Many had been held for over two years in primitive camps close to the Yalu River and Chinese border. Our sailing date was put back and the ship held for them so they could return home after that captivity as speedily as possible

So we spent more time In Kure and were billeted in a transit camp and to keep us occupied a bus took us to the local beach with a packed lunch. The WVS also organised a coach trip for us to visit Hiroshima.