Forgotten veterans are finally honoured

Now, 62 years after the end of the Korean War, 19 veterans from Wolverhampton have been honoured for their roles in the bloody conflict.

Members of the city's branch of the British Korean Veterans Association (WBKVA) were presented with the South Korean Peace Medal at a ceremony at the Mayor's Parlour.

It marked the culmination of the association's bid to gain recognition for the men, all of whom took part in the battle between North and South Korea from June 1950 to July 1953.

Previously veterans could only be awarded the medal by appearing in person at the South Korean Embassy in London, but following a plea from WBKVA chairman Len Flavell the medals were dispatched to Wolverhampton.

Member Fred Bunce, aged 85, said it was 'a great honour' for the men to be recognised for their efforts in a conflict that is largely forgotten in the UK.

"The Korean War is not as well known over here," said Mr Bunce, from Penn, who was a Leading Electrician's Mate in the Royal Navy during the conflict.

"It was a bloody conflict fought in extremely difficult conditions. There was a big loss of life on both sides. It came not long after the Second World War had finished, so it has probably been pushed to the back of people's minds.

"But all of us served over there in some way, so it's nice that we have received these medals after so many years. We're all getting on a bit now so it wasn't possible for most of us to get down to London."

• The Korean War ran from June 25, 1950 to July 27, 1953.

• It was fought between the Communist North, supported by China, and South Korea.

• A UN force led by the USA fought for the south. This included more than 100,000 British troops.

• The war started after Korea was split at the 38th Parallel when Japanese forces occupying the country were defeated in 1945.

• US troops liberated the south and the Russians moved into the north.

• Over the next five years arguments flared, culminating in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea launching an attack on the south on June 25.

• The UN Security Council passed a resolution to help the south.

• As a full member of the council – and indebted to the USA – Prime Minister Clement Attlee felt Britain was obliged to enter the conflict.

• Due to military cutbacks and difficulties recruiting regular troops in the aftermath of the Second World War, many Britons who served in Korea were National Service conscripts.

• More than 1,000 British servicemen fell into enemy hands. Many were subjected to brutal treatment, with 82 prisoners never returning home.

• It is estimated that around 2.5 million people were killed

Mr Bunce, who rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer during a 12-year stint with the navy, was stationed on the frigate HMS St Brides Bay and aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn during the conflict.

He arrived in Korean waters on Boxing Day 1952 as part of a United Nations force led by the USA that was tasked with keeping at bay the twin threat of North Korea and China.

Mr Bunce added: "I never set foot on Korean soil during the war as our work was done from three to four miles off shore.

"Our job was to disrupt the enemy's supply lines and protect the islands off the Korean west coast, which were very important from a strategic point of view."

Mr Bunce said that Chodo island was of particularly high importance from a strategic point of view as it was home to an allied radar station set up to monitor planes heading down from the north.

"We spent most of the day shielded from the enemy, then came out into the open at night to keep watch over the mudflats," he said.

After the armistice was declared Mr Bunce arrived back at the port of Dover in November 1953. "There was very little coverage on the news or in the media," he added. "No-one back home knew what had gone on out there."

"We could tell because it wasn't wasn't exactly the most welcoming return. We were greeted by four sailors and two dockyard workers who helped to tie the ship up.

"They were different times."

The medals, brought in as a message of appreciation from the South Korean Government, were presented by mayor Councillor Mike Heap, the Mayor of Wolverhampton.

It is thought to be the first time a city mayor has presented medals issued from a foreign country.

A citation accompanying each medal reads: "It is with great honour and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring and preserving our freedom and democracy."

Three members of WBKVA who were unable to turn up to receive their medals were issued them via post.

The Korean War featured one of the most heroic battles in British military history when 600 British Army troops took on a force of 30,000 Chinese soldiers crossing the Imjin River.

In classic British understatement Brigadier Tom Brodie of the Gloucestershire Regiment told his superiors that the situation was 'a bit sticky'.

By the end of the battle 10,000 Chinese troops had fallen. British losses stood at just 59, but only 39 of the survivors evaded capture.

Two Victoria Crosses, Britain's highest military honour, were awarded for the action.