laststandonzombieisland

Private Ken Williams, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR), is seen below in his winter fighting gear, as he takes time off from battle training in Korea for a refreshing drink from a can of chocolate-flavored Toddy, October 1953.

Photographer: Phillip Hobson, AWM Accession number: HOBJ4610

Note Williams’ Australian-made Owen sub gun, with its distinctive top-loading magwell, tucked under his arm. He also sports a camouflaged Mk III “Turtle” helmet, a lid rarely seen in Aussie service.

While the Owen and Turtle have long faded into history, Toddy is still very much around.

Australians served as part of the UN forces in Korea until 1957. As noted by the AWM, over 17,000 Australians served during the Korean War, of which 340 were killed and 1,216 wounded. A further 30 became prisoners of war.