OLD ARMY BUDDIES

Taken from an article by AMANDA TOLAND in the RENFREW & ERSKINE GAZETTE (23/08/00)


Hughie with his old friend David Green

Two ex-servicemen who became good friends as young soldiers were reunited in Erskine Hospital's Mains Home last week - after losing touch more than half a century ago.
Erskine Hospital resident, Hughie Currie and David Green first met as 17 year olds in the 8th Kings Royal Irish Hussars regiment in Barnet Castle, but when Hughie was called up for the Korean War in 1950 the pair lost contact.
After fifty years of actively looking for Hughie, David's quest to see his old buddie took him to Erskine Hospital and in February this year a telephone call confirmed his search had ended.
David, from West Yorkshire, said; "I was determined to find Hughie. I tried the Gorbals, where he's from, but discovered a lot of the homes there have been demolished.
"About two years ago I found out that a veteran's association for the King's Irish Regiment had been set up, but he wasn't a member.
"Then I tried the Korean Veterans Association, who have a base in Aberdeen, they put me in touch with 'THE VOICE OF SCOTLAND' a publication that helps you track down people.
Within a week of placing an advert with them someone from Dunoon phoned me to say they knew where Hughie was. I got the address of Erskine Hospital and then phoned to ask if he was there.
"He was and the first thing he said to me on the phone was 'do I owe you money?!!!"
Hughie recalled how he first met David; "I was already in the army and one day at the barracks I spotted this man who was wearing civilian clothes, I asked where he was going and he told me he was signing up for the army. After that we became good friends"
David added "Hughie was the first Scotsman I'd ever spoken to and he made quite an impression. He was very cool and really laid back, nothing ever phased him."
When Hughie got called up for the Korean War he was a few months short of 18, the required age to serve abroad, but David was still too young. Before he went away, David asked if they could have their photograph taken to send to his mum and they vowed to meet again.
David said "After Hughie left the barracks I kept volunteering to be sent to Korea. Iwouldn't let up about it until they finally did in 1954."
That year, the war was drawing to an end with a truce being negotiated, when David travelled to Korea he wasn't to see his friend. Hughie's regiment had been posted elsewhere in 1952.
The two friend's lives couldn't have turned out more different. David moved back to Yorkshire where he married Greta and had five children. Sadly, in 1965, after many years in various hospitals, Hughie was admitted to Erskine Hospital after losing part of his right arm. He never married.
After speaking to Hughie in February, David has written regularly and last week visited him at the Erskine Mains Home. Their reunion was emotional as the two men recalled their time in the army, and at sometimes harrowing experiences.
"It's hard to define how I felt seeing Davie after all those years. I was uptight but as soon as we sat down to chat that all just vanished" said Hughie.
David agreed; "It was quite traumatic because of the time lapsed. But he put me at ease saying; 'I see you finally got your hair cut!' The home here is really fantastic and Hughie is very happy. The staff are so helpful and wonderful, I came a long way to find an old friend and it's been worth every minute."
Hughie added; "After 50 years, I don't think we're going to lose touch again."


Hughie in the army with his friend David Green

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