Our People in NSW
Danny McKay - Queanbeyan
Last week was tough for Queanbeyan’s Danny McKay, 34. He was representing Australia, thousands of kilometres from his wife Julie, and children Marley and Ted.
The Army Corporal was in South Korea as part of Australia’s Federation Guard contingent at ceremonies to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Australian involvement in the Korean War (1950-53).
The UN-led international force’s first task was to help South Korea push back the North Korean invaders, and later it had to contend with human wave attacks by Communist Chinese reinforcements.
After the Battle of Kapyong, the Third Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), was awarded a US Presidential Citation for its outstanding bravery.
“I started soldiering after graduating Year 11 at school and then qualifying as an Infantryman with 3 RAR,” said Danny. “I was interested in the Assault Pioneer role which involves building things and blowing things up.”
“I was posted to the Guard in 2009 — it’s my last posting before I leave the Army.
“Korea will be my third overseas trip, after the Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland and Fromelles in northern France. It was in Fromelles I was part of a burial party which re-interred 250 World War I soldiers whose bodies were discovered in a mass grave. It was an honour to be a part of the final journey for those soldiers from such an important battle in the Army’s history.”
“In Korea I really looked forward to the Kapyong ceremony because of my 3RAR connections,” said Danny. “It’s partly history and tradition, and there will be some veterans of the battle there. We will be looking after them and it was definitely emotional. We have got so much respect for the old blokes.”