A Korean War veteran looks for the names of his fallen comrades engraved on a memorial tablet at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul. About 105 Korean War veterans from Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Britain arrived Sunday in Korea for a seven-day visit and to participate in ceremonies commemorating the 1950-53 Korean War, in which they fought under the flag of the United Nations. They paid their respects yesterday to Korean War victims at the National Cemetery in Seoul.
[YONHAP]
The Korean War is often referred to as Canada's forgotten war. There are many Canadians who don't even realize that we had a role in the battle for freedom on the Korean Peninnsula.
Canada in Korea
"After the Second World War, Canada rapidly demobilized. When the Korean War broke out, Canada needed several months to bring its military forces up to strength, and eventually formed part of British Commonwealth Forces Korea. Canadian land forces thus missed most of the early back-and-forth campaigns because they did not arrive until 1951, when the attrition phase of the war had largely started. Canadian troops fought as part of the 1st Commonwealth Division, and distinguished themselves at the Battle of Kapyong and in other land engagements. HMCS Haida and other ships of the Royal Canadian Navy were in active service in the Korean conflict.
Canada sent over 25,000 troops to fight in Korea. There were 1,558 Canadian casualties, including 516 dead. Korea has often been described as "The Forgotten War", because for most Canadians it is overshadowed by the Canadian contributions to the two world wars. Canada is a signatory to the original 1953 armistice, but did not keep a garrison in South Korea after 1955"
A little bit of history for any Canadians out there who may be interested.
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