THE first Armistice Day act of Remembrance took place at the memorial dedicated to the Forest men who fought in the Korean War.
The service last Wednesday (November 11) also acknowledged the completion of repairs after the memorial was vandalised earlier this year.
The service at the Cyril Hart Arboretum at Speech House was organised by the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Group and led by Vicar of Cinderford Rev Mike Barnsley.
Bugler Cadet Sergeant Naomi Green played Last Post and Reveille and Ryan Morgan of Cinderford Royal British Legion was the standard bearer.
Wreaths laid and names read
Cllr Julia Gooch read the names of the 16 veterans who are named on the memorial.
Wreaths were laid by Lynne Lambert on behalf of the Memorial Group, Rojer Phelps for the Glosters Association, Anny Reid for Cinderford Royal British Legion, and Pam Walker, daughter of one of the veterans.
Memorial designer Andrew Gardiner of Ruardean, whose brother David is among those honoured on the memorial, read the Kohima Epitaph which beings “When you go home…”
Vice Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Roger Deeks, who is part of the group said: “Once again, the Forest community stepped up and ensured the restoration of the memorial.
Community thanked
“A big thank you to everyone who donated.
“Veterans’ families, who were particularly disappointed that it had been damaged, are delighted it has been made good.
“The memorial is a place of reflection and while always exposed, it could not be in a more fitting or beautiful location.”
He also referred to increased security and thanked the local police and Forestry England for helping to make the site more secure.
Group Chair Cllr Julia Gooch said, “We hope with all the measures we have taken and the increased vigilance of the public, the memorial will be safe for future generations.”
The memorial, which was made at Grail Engineering in Cinderford was unveiled in a ceremony of dedication on April 24 this year to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River.
Battle of Imjin River
The memorial commemorates all armed forces personnel who fought during the Korean War 1950 – 1953 and features the names of veterans associated with the Forest of Dean who fought in the pivotal battle in April 1951.
The Battle of Imjin River is widely recognised as one of the most fierce and intense military actions involving British forces and is revered to this day in Republic of Korea for saving Seoul, the country’s capital, from communist occupation.
Following the battle, more than 500 soldiers, including men from the Forest of Dean, spent two and a half years in captivity in North Korea.
The design echoes the freedom archway through which the survivors passed on their release in 1953.
The memorial was funded wholly from community support, via personal donations, community fundraisers and local groups and businesses, following a motion passed at full council by Forest of Dean District Council.
More than 400 people including veterans’ families, civic and military figures and Captain Park, Defence Attaché from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, attended the event.
The memorial now has its own website www.fodimjinmemorial.com with background information on the veterans and how the memorial was made.
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