A MEMORIAL to the men of the Forest of Dean who fought at a pivotal battle in the Korean War has been offiicially unveiled.

The ceremony, in the tranquil surroundings of the Cyril Hart Arboretum at Speech House, last Friday (April 27) was a few days after the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Imjin River.

Relatives of some of the men named on the memorial joined veterans and civic dignitaries.

Among them was Andrew Mills, the son of the last of the Forest’s Korea veterans, Roy Mills who worked on the creation of the memorial at Cinderford engineering firm Grail’s.

He said the plaques with the names and history of the battle are stainless steel and it is finished with copper finials.

He added: “I’m so proud. This is a fitting memorial to the men of the Gloucestershire Regiment.”

Andrew Gardiner of Ruardean, whose brother David is among those honoured, said the design was inspired by the “Freedom Archway” which the prisoners of war had made on their release from Chinese captivity.

The base is Forest stone supplied by the Forest of Dean Stone Firms at Cannop.

The names of the 13 men were read by the head girl and head boy of The Dean Academy, Lydney, Ava Winter and Alfie Blake.

There was music from Forest of Dean Brass and Izzy Marriott sang the Forest “anthem” Land Between Two Rivers.

Maggie Clutterbuck read her poem To the Foresters of the Glorious Glosters.

Rev Bea Erskine, who led the service said: “It is difficult for us to even comprehend the bravery of these soldiers.

“This memorial, placed in such a beautiful and tranquil arboretum, right in the very heart of our forest, ensures that the Foresters and all of the Gloucestershire regiment, who fought at Imjin, will never, ever be forgotten.”

Izzy marriott of Forest of Dean Brasss singing Land Between Two Rivers.
Izzy marriott of Forest of Dean Brasss singing Land Between Two Rivers. (Forest Review)
Veteran Peter Galloway with the standard of the Korean Veterans’ Association.
Veteran Peter Galloway with the standard of the Korean Veterans’ Association. (Forest Review)
Last :Post is sounded.
Last :Post is sounded. (Forest Review)
Rev Bea Erskine led the service
Rev Bea Erskine led the service (Forest Review)
Stanards of regimental and service associations
Stanards of regimental and service associations (Forest Review)
Ava Winter and Alfie Blake,  the head girl and boy of the Dean Academy in Lydney read the names of the Forest of Dean men who served at the Battle of Imjin.
Ava Winter and Alfie Blake, the head girl and boy of the Dean Academy in Lydney read the names of the Forest of Dean men who served at the Battle of Imjin. (Forest Review)
Forestry England employees Ben Neenan, Emily Ferguson, Nina Elvin, Holly Pretious with volunteers Mark Jones (left) and John Deane (right).
Forestry England employees Ben Neenan, Emily Ferguson, Nina Elvin, Holly Pretious with volunteers Mark Jones (left) and John Deane (right). (Forest Review)
Poet Maggie Clutterbuck read a poem about the Foresters in Korea.
Poet Maggie Clutterbuck read a poem about the Foresters in Korea. (Forest Review)