Arboretum Marks 70 Years Since The End Of The Korean War

Shortly after sunrise this morning, the lament of a lone piper could be heard across the 150-acre National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, as the Nation’s year-round place to Remember marked the 70th anniversary since the signing of an armistice that brought an end to the Korean War. 

The sombre melodies of Lance Sergeant Douglas Warren from F Company, The Scots Guards were a poignant tribute to the 1,100 Armed Forces personnel that were killed during the 3-year conflict, and signalled the start of a day of Remembrance that will culminate with Remembering Korea – 70 years on, a special Royal British Legion commemorative event in London later today.

Gathered at both the British Korean Veterans Association Memorial Garden, and the Armed Forces Memorial, representatives of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force laid wreaths in memory of the fallen and to honour the service and sacrifice of all Korean War veterans.

Despite its reputation as ‘the Forgotten War’, nearly 60,000 UK Armed Forces personnel served in Korea, alongside approximately 50,000 personnel from across the Commonwealth, and it remains the UK Armed Forces deadliest conflict since the Second World War. The names of the 1,100 Armed Forces personnel killed during the conflict are inscribed on the gigantic Portland stone of the iconic Armed Forces Memorial at the heart of the Arboretum. 

“While the Korean War is now often referred to as ‘the Forgotten War’, the invaluable contributions made by all who served and 1,100 personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice will forever be remembered at the National Memorial Arboretum,” said Philippa Rawlinson, Director of the National Memorial Arboretum and Director of Remembrance at RBL. “The legacy of the 110,000 British and Commonwealth Armed Forces personnel who served is preserved within our memorials, ensuring that we can pass the baton of Remembrance to future generations and that these incredible stories of service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”