Korean War Service
Sunday 27th July 2025
ALBANY RSL REMEMBERS SERVICE IN KOREA (THE FORGOTTEN WAR)
Sunday 27 July 2025
2.00pm
St Johns Church, York Street Albany
The United Nations was formed in October of 1945 shortly after the end of WWII with the intent of global stabilization assisting world peace. Its first deployment was to the Sinai desert in 1947, but it was the invasion of south Korea by the Communist North Korea, heavily backed by communist China that saw the biggest United Nations (UN) deployment in history.
In 1950 North Korean and Chinese forces stormed across the 38th Parallel intent on capturing Seoul and in turn South Korea, turning the Korean peninsula into a unified Korea under Communist rule.
A hastily organised United Nations (UN) force under the control of the USA was rapidly deployed to South Korea to halt the communist advance. This force included Australian, New Zealand and British Forces. Three years of bitter fighting in harsh conditions followed before a cease fire was agreed to on 27th July 1953, now 72 years ago.
Many are unaware that the two Korean countries are technically still “at war”. There is no doubt that the presence of very strong US forces based in Korea with backup close by in Japan are a deterrent to the North Koreans.
On Sunday 27th the Albany RSL will again hold the annual Korean War service at St Johns Church York St commencing at 2.00pm. All are welcome to attend. The RSL is extremely proud of two of their Patriarchs who both served in Korea:
Two of Albany RSL “Old & Bold” members, Ivan Tilney and Ken Morrison, served in South Korea after the 1953 Cease Fire.
Ivan served as a member of the British Army Engineers and Ken as an Australian Army Paymaster. Ivan served for seven years in the British Army and immigrated to Australia. Ken served until 1976.
Both were awarded the Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal in 2023 for the 70th Anniversary of the 1953 Korean cease Fire.