Letter: Korea the 'Forgotten War' for many
I refer to the two letters, one on May 9 by Mr Tom Godwin, a very good and well attended member since 1992 of the Shropshire Branch of the British Korean Veterans Association (BKVA), and one by Mr Jim Wood on May 14.
Tom is quite correct, it is still referred to as the 'Forgotten War' and it is only remembered now by the people who fought in it and by their relatives.
Yes, Korea is mentioned quite often these days, simply because of the young idiot who seems to be in charge of North Korea, don't forget the war never really ended.
Six years ago our branch chairman, John Lane, put a programme together and we went around schools in the county to tell students about the Korean War and, I must admit, many did not even know where Korea was let alone know about the war.
Yes, the war was the first to be fought under the flag of the United Nations and it is still the biggest conflict since the Second World War, with more British troops killed there than all the other conflicts since World War Two.
Our branch has attended the commemoration day at the National Arboretum, on July 27, since it first opened, our branch standard is always there on parade, and on the odd occasion, we have gone as a branch on other days.
A few of the reasons why I consider the war to be forgotten or maybe ignored, is the fact that in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London there is a plaque for the Falklands War measuring about 14ft x 12ft, and the one for Korea War is about 3ft x 2ft.
In 1950, the 50th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, our national committee asked if the Royal Mail would produce a stamp in recognition of the war. That was refused, yet all the other countries did one.
And just last year, being the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Korean War, our national chairman, Col George Gadd, asked if the BKVA could lead the parade behind the RBL. This too was refused.
I don't think our politicians realise that about 40,000 British troops took part in the Korean War, but more to the point, I don't think they really care.
Sadly, 2014 sees the end of the BKVA and our last function will be to attend the unveiling of a statue of a British soldier in combat uniform, in London, sometime in the autumn, paid for by the South Korean government, of course, in recognition of the British forces who fought.
I was lucky in 2010 to be selected to go back to Korea by invitation from the republic as a disabled war veteran, with all expenses paid.
Having spent six months in hospital from June 23 1953, I can assure everyone I will never forget the Korean War.
Ted Jones (ex Durham Light Infantry), Secretary of Shropshire branch BKVA
