St Helens celebrated at news of troop's release from Korean PoW camp

That was when Trooper Edward O’Donnell from Langtree Street was released from two years of captivity in Korea.

The 31-year-old was the first British PoW to be freed, with his release being part of a huge prisoner swap involving eight UN countries and North Korea.

The former Ravenhead Colliery worker was handed over at Panmunjom and then taken to the so-called "Freedom Village" at nearby Munsan.

Trooper O'Donnell was reported to have waved to British journalists from his ambulance window and shouted "Lancashire".

Known as Terry to his family and friends, O'Donnell was a reservist in the Irish Guards and had received his calling up papers in August 1951.

Daily Express (Image: Daily Express)

With his wife Evelyn expecting a baby, Terry unsuccessfully appealed against being sent to Korea and within months of arriving in the war-torn country was captured.

The Daily Mirror on its front page described the celebrations in St Helens as news of Trooper O'Donnell's release from his ordeal came through: "The flags were out in Langtree-street, St. Helens, (Lancs.) when it was known that Mrs O'Donnell's husband, Terry, was among the repatriates.

"There was excited chatter as the neighbours helped Mrs. O'Donnell string a banner over the front door.

"They had helped to work into the banner, in red wool, the words WELCOME HOME TERRY – GOD BLESS YOU. When the wool ran out they used lip-stick."

These days Evelyn O’Donnell would have easy access to news footage of her husband's release. However, it took a full week before she was able to see a fleeting glimpse of Terry on screen – and that involved a trip to the Capitol Cinema.

Mrs Prescott – the manager of the picture house on the corner of Duke Street and North Road – invited Mrs O’Donnell to see her husband on screen after being surprised one evening to hear applause coming from her auditorium.

Upon making enquiries she discovered that Trooper O’Donnell had briefly been shown in a newsreel. As all the prisoners that were being released by the Communists were wounded or sick, it was a relief for Evelyn to see her husband looking well.

As soon as Terry was released from captivity he had sent a telegram to his wife from Korea saying: "Hoping to see you soon. My best wishes on our son's second birthday. At least I know I'll see him before his third. Also love to father and relations."

Although Terry had the joy of being able to see his son for the first time, the news had to be broken that his father had died while he'd been abroad. On May 2nd 1953 the Daily Express described the emotional homecoming as his plane touched down: "Two-year-old Terence O’Donnell, of St Helens, Lancashire, knew the father he had never seen by a little red engine.

"What a family trick it was! Terence's mother told him to look out for a man with a red engine. ‘That,’ she said, ‘will be Daddy.’ And when Trooper O’Donnell, of the 8th Hussars, came off the plane, his wife, who had bought the engine, slipped it into his hand. Then, as he held it up, young Terence came running up to him."

The plane journey back to England had taken six days and after medical checks and debriefing at an RAF airbase, Terry returned to St Helens by train where he received a civic reception at Shaw Street Station.

Despite arriving at his Langtree Street home at 11.30pm, a crowd of 500 cheering well-wishers were still gathered amongst all the flags and bunting shouting "Welcome home Terry".

Then on the following evening 13-year-old Harriett Anslow presented him with a clock and cigarette case on behalf of all his neighbours who had subscribed to the gifts.

Stephen Wainwright's latest book The Hidden History Of St Helens Vol 2 is available from the St Helens Book Stop and the World of Glass and online from eBay and Amazon (free delivery). Volume 1 of Hidden History is also still available.