Albany veterans remember the Korean War and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong at church service

Albany honoured veterans of the Korean War on Sunday with a service in St John’s Church, this year focusing on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong.

People filled the pews of St John’s church on York Street on Sunday afternoon for the service, including local dignitaries, RSL members, and two Albany veterans of the Korean War, Ken Morrison and Ivan Tilney.

Retired brigadier Geoff Hand gave the keynote address, regaling attendees with some important history of the Korean War, which is often referred to as the ‘forgotten war’ due to its close proximity to World War II.

He also compared the state of Korea in the 1950s to the state of North and South Korea today, speaking about the rise in technology, nuclear power, and how these changes are impacting society.

Brig. Hand said more than 17,000 Australians served in Korea, many of them in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, which would later be nicknamed Old Faithful after their service throughout the Korean War.

The Battle of Kapyong took place in April 1951, and 3RAR blocked the Chinese advance down the Kapyong Valley, saving other Allied forces from being cut off and pushing back to stop the Chinese from advancing south and capturing Seoul.

“It was truly a gutsy performance, they did us proud,” Brig. Hand said.

He said the Korean War was far from a minor conflict, with about 210,000 Allied soldiers killed in action, and more than three million people killed in total, including civilians.

“Combined, it was a big effort for a small nation. A big effort for a small nation that, at the time, was covering from the cost, the pain, and the effort of World War II,” he said.

“The causes and reasons of the Korean War were not unlike the scenarios that we face today.

“In 75 years, one lifetime for the young men, now veterans, seated among us, we have taken our circuitous route back to the issues of the Korean War, but at this time, unfortunately, without our people and government being psychologically, and defence and security ready for what will likely come next.

“The threat is greater. We are less prepared, and we must adapt quickly if the world of our veterans sitting before us today that they all thought is to survive.”

Wreaths were laid inside the church by members of the community representing local government, the RSL, emergency services, and community groups, and moved out to the war memorial at the corner of York Street after the service concluded.

A cross was also erected at the memorial for Albany soldier Pte John Atkinson, who was killed during the Korean War, and many attendees took the time to walk down to the memorial to pay their respects.