UK commemorates 70th anniversary of Korean War armistice
Nationwide commemorations have been held to remember the sacrifice of British personnel who fought and died in the Korean War, marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the conflict.
More than 80,000 British men and women served in the Korean War, responding to the United Nations’ call to defend South Korea against the Northern Korean People’s Army, backed by the Soviet Union.
Among them, more than 1,000 British servicemen lost their lives in the line of duty.
In London, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and defence minister Baroness Goldie led the nation in paying tribute to the fallen heroes at a Royal British Legion national memorial service on Horse Guards Parade.
Lady Goldie said: "As the UK marks 140 years of relations with the Republic of Korea, we come together to remember all the thousands of people who fought for freedom in the Korean War 70 years ago.
"Those who sacrificed their lives will never be forgotten.
"Freedom is one of our most precious global attributes and those who died in the Korean War remind us that freedom is never free."
Up to 1,000 people, including the Duke of Gloucester, the Korean ambassador to the UK Yoon Yeocheol and Korean war veterans, were in attendance for the ceremony outside the British Army's headquarters in the capital.
The Chief of the Defence Staff and Lady Goldie each laid a wreath.
In the Republic of Korea on Wednesday, defence minister James Heappey and Chief of the General Staff General Sir Patrick Sanders paid their respects at the Battle of Imjin Memorial, also known as the Gloster Hill Memorial.
Apart from the main event in London, various other locations across the UK also hosted commemorative ceremonies.
The Scottish Korean War Memorial in West Lothian witnessed the participation of all three services, represented by senior and junior ranks.
At Horse Guards Parade, three currently serving personnel delivered readings, and a traditional Drumhead service was conducted before an Army bugler sounded The Last Post, leading into a two-minute silence.
The bugler then played the Reveille and the British Army Band Colchester performed the national anthem and contributed to a performance of a Korean folk song.
Supported by their families, veterans from both nations watched with families of the fallen, as regimental drums were placed on top of each other to form an altar at the heart of Horse Guards Parade.
Prayers were said for the departed and families broken by the losses of war.
The UK and the United States were among several partner nations that swiftly heeded the United Nations’ call to take up arms in defence of South Korea.
The British contingent was made up of the 1st Commonwealth Division which consisted of four infantry brigades supported by armour, artillery, combat support and combat service support units.
It included units from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
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