DNA Appeal To Identify Gloucestershire Soldiers From Korean War

Vice President Mike Pence watched as the remains of soldiers who fell during the Korean War arrived in Hawaii last month (Picture: Susan Walsh/PA).

Relatives of soldiers killed or missing in action in the Korean War have been asked by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to provide DNA samples to help identify remains that have been recovered.

At the recent US-North Korea summit, President Trump and Kim Jong Un signed the Sentosa Agreement, which included a commitment to recover remains from North Korea and return them to the US, where they will be identified.

However, the remains could include UK casualties, specifically soldiers from the Gloucestershire Regiment, known as the "Glorious Glosters".

Through DNA testing, UK personnel that are identified will be given military funerals at the United Nations cemetery in the Republic of Korea.

The MoD has said they will cover costs for immediate family members to attend.

The “Glorious Glosters” feature heavily on the database of soldiers killed in Korea with no known grave.

The Gloucestershire Regiment was already unique in history for being allowed to wear a cap badge on the front and rear of their berets after their famous battle in 1801 against Napoleonic forces in Egypt. The Battle of Imjin River saw 650 Glosters facing 10,000 Chinese soldiers.

They held their position for three days before they had to retreat. Most of the battalion were either killed or captured, with only 40 men being able to escape.

Nicola Nash from the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), said:

“We are currently attempting to gather the contact information of the families of these brave men who were killed during the Korean War but have no known grave.

"Although the process of tracing families, DNA testing and identification will probably take many years, we are hoping that as many families as possible will come forward after seeing our press appeals so that we are prepared.”

Family members of those missing personnel who have no known grave should contact the JCCC.