Members of the Korean War veterans paid their respects at a wall of remembrance in Korea.

Eighteen ADF personnel enjoyed the experience of a lifetime as they accompanied Korean War veterans on a commemorative mission to honour those who fought and fell some 50 years ago.

The ADF group representing the Navy, Army and Air Force had a dual role on the mission, to support the veterans as well as to provide ceremonial support for the four main ceremonial activities of during the 10-day visit.

Sponsored by the Department of Veterans' Affairs and hosted by Minister Bruce Scott, the contingent also toured several key battlefield sites, visited the Joint Security Area where the United Nations continues to monitor the border between North and South Korea, and attended several official functions, including visits to the National Cemetery and National War Memorial in Seoul.

(L-R) Australian veterans George Eade (RAN), Ray Willmot (RAN), James Stewart (RAAF), Joe Vezgoff (ARA), Arthur Pembroke, MC (ARA) and Samuel Moyle (RAN) at the Australian Memorial stone, UN Cemetery, Pusan.

The first commemorative ceremonies were in Pusan, in the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. At the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, the Australian contingent took part in the United Nations Memorial Ceremony in the morning and in the Commonwealth Commemorative Ceremony in the afternoon. ADF numbers were boosted by ships' companies of HMAS Arunta, Newcastle and Success in Pusan for a port visit at the time.

The first ceremony was witnessed by a crowd of more than 1,000 people and attracted the world's media, as representatives of each of the 21 nations involved in the conflict laid wreaths of remembrance to their fallen.

The Commonwealth ceremony, while smaller in numbers, was a fitting tribute to Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom - the six Commonwealth nations that responded to the UN Security Council call for assistance in mid-1950.

Korean War veteran, Mr Leonard Ogilive, reflects with 3RAR PTE Lachlan Youll in the Australian section of the United Nations Memorial where most of the 339 Australians who died were buried.

For the veterans present, the familiar growl of a British RSM heralded the start of the ceremony as they were organised into ranks by nation and marched on. During the ceremony, HRH the Duke of York, CVO, ADC paid tribute to the 130,000 Commonwealth sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines that fought during the conflict, including the 2000 who died.

After the ceremony, the contingent visited the Australian section of the cemetery, where most of the 339 Australians who died are buried. For most of the veterans and war widows, it was their first opportunity to see the graves of their loved ones and comrades. As some searched for names on behalf of many in Australia who would never see this sacred place, others laid to rest 50 years of grief with emotional farewells.

Dick Cresswell, one of Australia's most venerable fighter pilots, who commanded 77 Squadron in Korea through difficult transitions, including its introduction to the jet age.

A few short days later, the veterans were again official guests, this time at a smaller ceremony to mark the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong. In the tiny Australian and New Zealand memorial just outside the village of Kapyong, the contingent stood surrounded by the steep terrain where 32 Australians died in just 48 hours halting the Chinese advance. ADF personnel from all three Services formed a catafalque party around the Australian and 3RAR memorials, while the piper's lament echoed down the valley.

The abiding ties of the two nations to the hallowed ground are renewed each year with a memorial service and the presentation of scholarships, sponsored by Australian, New Zealand and Korean businesses and governments, to school children from the Kapyong area.

The ceremony was followed by a reception at the Republic of Korea 66th Division Headquarters in Kapyong, where past and present Service personnel from Australia and New Zealand rekindled the ANZAC spirit.

Two days later the Australian and New Zealand groups again joined forces for the ANZAC Day dawn service at the UN Command Compound in Seoul, the final commemorative ceremony before returning to Australia.

By CAPT Belinda Byrne
Photographs by CPL Kevin Piggott