Six: Sergeant E. G. Pochin, ‘C’ Troop, 170 Independent Mortar Battery, Royal Artillery, who was taken prisoner of war at Imjin

Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (2082400 Gnr., R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (22962722 Sgt., R.A.); U.S. Presidential Unit Citation, riband bar (2) cloth, together with a mounted set of six miniature dress medals, good very fine (14) £2200-2600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Edwin Gordon Pochin was born on 9 August 1921 and enlisted on 24 January 1939 as a Sapper with 44 A.A. Battalion Royal Engineers - soon to be re-designated 44 Regiment Royal Artillery. During February 1941-December 1942 he served as a Gunner with 121 Light A.A. Regiment R.A. He was then posted to India and Burma, December 1942-January 1946, where he served with 43 Light A.A. Regiment and 86 Medium Regiment R.A. For his services he was awarded the Burma Star, Defence and War Medals. After the war he was placed in Section ‘B’ Reserve, May 1948-August 1950. Recalled for service in the Korean War, he served with ‘C’ Troop 170 Independent Mortar Battery R.A. in the Battle of Imjin.

During the fighting on the Imjin River in April 1951, ‘C’ Troop provided the close support with 4.2 inch mortars for the 1st Glosters. During the latter stages of the battle they fought as infantry alongside the Glosters on Hill 235 (Gloster Hill). Of the one officer and 45 other ranks, one was killed and the remainder, including Gunner Pochin, were taken prisoner. Two members of the battery died in captivity. It was estimated that the Battery had fired 12,000 rounds in the battle, 22-25 April 1951. With the Gloucestershire Regiment, the Troop were awarded the U.S. Presidential Unit Citation and the South Korean Presidential Unit Citation. In May 1954 the Battery was granted the Honour Title ‘Imjin’ and became the ‘170 (Imjin) Light Battery R.A.’

Pochin was taken prisoner and remained a prisoner-of-war until released on 15 August 1953. He served with the B.A.O.R., October 1954-April 1957 and in Cyprus, June 1957-May 1960. Sergeant Pochin was discharged on 30 April 1961 - his address on discharge being ‘10 Duke Gardens, Upper Weedon, Northampton’. He died in Northampton on 17 October 1987.

With newspaper cutting with a picture of Pochin, re. his homecoming; copied service notes and a quantity of copied research on the Battery and the Battle.