73rd anniversary of the Battle of Gapyeong… Commonwealth veterans who came to the scene at the age of over 90

Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs invites veterans and bereaved families from four Commonwealth countries to a memorial event

(Gapyeong = Yonhap News) Reporter Lim Byeong-sik and Choi Jae-hoon = A commemoration event for the ‘Battle of Gapyeong’, which achieved a brilliant victory against the Chinese army during the Korean War, was held at the Commonwealth War Memorial in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do on the morning of the 24th.

At the event on this day, veterans who fought against the Chinese army with guns in the battle at that time, who were over 90 years old, attended in person, attracting attention.

William Chrysler (94), a Canadian who served as an Army private during the Battle of Kapyeong, attended the event in a wheelchair.

The photo of him supporting an injured comrade immediately after the Battle of Kapyeong clearly shows the horrors of war and is currently stored at the British Imperial War Museum.

Veterans who participated in the Battle of Hook Hill and the Battle of Maryangsan, where Commonwealth and U.S. forces engaged in fierce battles with Chinese forces in the Yeoncheon-gun area of ​​Gyeonggi Province, also participated in the event.

Victor Swift (90) of the British Infantry Regiment, who was active at Hook Hill, Gerard Bethiniel (92), of the Canadian Artillery Brigade, and Malcolm Weatherhead (92) of Australia, who participated in the Battle of Maryangsan, fought in Busan and Incheon. Colin Carley (92) from New Zealand and Donald Hodgson from England, who participated in the Korean War as an army private, also visited the monument.

The bereaved family members, including the daughter of Australian veteran Eric Lauder, who played an active part in the Battle of Kapyeong, also attended.

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks read the British King’s message, saying, “I am delighted to learn of the veterans’ return to Korea, and I join you in commemorating all the soldiers who died in the Korean War.”

Vice Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Lee Hee-wan called out the names of the veterans one by one and said, “The great dedication of the Commonwealth veterans served as the driving force for the Republic of Korea to overcome the devastation of war and leap from one of the poorest countries to a top 10 economic powerhouse.”

The event was held in the following order: a memorial service honoring the fallen, a memorial declaration, and a requiem horn.

After the event, William Chrysler left in a wheelchair, receiving applause from the soldiers in attendance. New Zealand war veteran Colin Carley responded to the enthusiastic applause with a bright smile.

The Battle of Kapyeong was fought in April 1951 by soldiers of the 27th Brigade of the Commonwealth Army against Chinese forces more than five times stronger.

Despite being outnumbered, they fought for three days and miraculously won, and their brilliant victory went down in history as the Battle of Gapyeong.

In commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of the Battle of Kapyeong in the Korean War this year, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs organized a visit to Korea for 21 veterans and bereaved families from four Commonwealth countries (United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand).

They entered the country on the 21st, visited Panmunjom, attended the Imjin River Battle Commemoration Ceremony, visited the United Nations Memorial Park, attended the Gapyeong Battle Commemoration Ceremony, and left the country on the 26th.

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2024/04/24 14:02 Sent