The City of Ely branch of the Royal British Legion organised a solemn service of remembrance at the city’s war memorial today (27th July) to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice in 1953 which brought an end to the Korean War.
The war began in June 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea following clashes along the border. Sixty thousand service personnel from across Britain and the Commonwealth saw action during three years of conflict and 1,100 lost their lives.
Welcoming those who had gathered on the market place, including four veterans of the fighting in Korea, the Rev Ruth Holmes, curate of St Mary’s Parish Church, said: “We have come here today, in these difficult times for our world, to remember with thanksgiving and sorrow, those whose lives have been given and taken away through conflict in Korea. We remember too the ongoing impact of a conflict without true peace.
“And we have come here today to commit ourselves to work, in penitence and faith, for reconciliation between these nations, that all people may together, live in freedom, justice and peace.”
Following a Bible reading by Cambridgeshire RBL president Col (Ret’d) Roger Herriot, wreaths were laid by Donald Collen, representing Korean War veterans; City of Ely Mayor Cllr Chris Phillips and president of the City of Ely RBL branch Gp Capt (Ret’d) Ian Lindsay.
Following the Exhortation by Ely RBL branch chairman David Martin, principal trumpeter of the City of Ely Military Band, Laurine Green, played the Last Post before the crowds, including market day shoppers and traders, kept the Two Minute Silence followed by Reveille and the Kohima Epitaph given by Ely RBL vice-chairman Neil Grimston.
Flanking the war memorial were Ely RBL branch standard bearer Tom Brown and Jenny Moyes standard bearer of RBL Over branch.
David Martin said: “The Korean War is often dubbed the ‘Forgotten War’ as it followed so soon after the end of the Second World War, but it is important that we should never forget those who gave their lives in the Korean War. The youngest of those who survived are now nearing their nineties, and we were delighted that four veterans were able to attend the service and engage with a wider audience about a war which never truly ended.”
Press release from Ely Branch Royal British Legion
The Rev Ruth Holmes welcomed everyone to the service and lead prayers.
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