The Royal British Legion held a memorial celebration of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the cease fire in Korea on 27th July at Horse Guards Parade.

For full details, click here

A youtube video of the ceremony can be viewed here

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsYl-NG_BU

Seventy four Korean veterans were invited to Buckingham Palace for a Champagne reception hosted by the Princess Royal, Princess Anne and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

More details

George Hodkinson DCM  died on 11th Jan 2024, aged 90.

 

George was awarded the DCM for his actions as wireless operator on Op Pimlico during the Korea War while serving with 1 Royal Fusiliers.

 

"Great fortitude was shown by the wireless operator George Hodkinson, who refused to move off the highest part of the Mound and relayed orders throughout the night, even whilst wounded. He was awarded the D.C.M. after all the officers were wounded or killed and he was effectively in command."

 

George was at the 70th anniversary of the Korean War ceasefire last June at Holy Sepulchre, seen below seated far right.

Obituary

Royal Fusiliers Memorial Service June 27th 2023

The London Branch held their annual pilgrimage to Holy Sepulchre, Holborn Viaduct made special as it was to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Cease Fire in Korea.

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Korean 71st anniversary

Thursday 25 July 2024

 

We have had a very busy year whilst celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the cease fire in Korea.  The Royal British Legion has led our fight to see the Forgotten War recognised and sponsored three major events, not just in our honour but to recognise those comrades who did not return home.  First was the Parade on Horse Guards, the second the reception held by the King at Buckingham Palace and lastly a reception held at the Speakers House within Parliament hosted by Speaker Sir Lyndsay Hoyle and the Speaker of the Republic of Korea House of representatives.  The Fusilier Regimental Veterans were well represented on all occasions with our expatriates’ in the New World making the long journey to be present

 

However the Memorial Service held at St Sepulchres Church with lunch at the Tower of London (Our spiritual home) is very special to us all.  This letter is to confirm that the Memorial Service at St Sepulchre’s Church will go ahead as planned on the Thursday 25th July 2024.

 

 I am sure we are all grateful not only for surviving the Korean conflict but also living to what some will regard as “a ripe old age”.

 

We do hope that as many as possible of us can make the effort to come on this special occasion and remember those comrades we lost and who did not return. The Lunch at the Tower afterward is a memorable get together and Carers or helping relatives, as always, are welcome.       .

 

The format will be the same, report at 1100 hrs at St Sepulchre’s Church Holborn for commencement at 1130 hrs.  Taxis will then take us to the Tower for lunch courtesy of Major Mick McCarthy, RHQ.  Hopefully we will be joined for the service by the Korean Defence attaché.

 

Please put the date in your diary and email mikemogridge@yahoo.co.uk

for confirmation.

 

Mike Mogridge BEM

 

 

We were sad to hear the passing of WWll veteran John Dudley in 2022.

John, a veteran of Monte Cassino deid on 24th August 2022 aged 97.

 

More to follow.

Peter Skilton, a Korean vet has sadly passed away.

 

Peter did his induction and basic training at the Tower of London in 1951 taking part in the Lord Mayor's parade in the same year. He trained as a signalman in Iserlohn Germany before leaving for Korea on Empire Halladale in 1952. Peter returned to England in 1953 where he was discharged. Although he suffered in later life from his experiences in Korea Peter remained proud of his time with the fusiliers, had good memories of friendships that were made and was grateful for the skills that he learnt as a young soldier. Peter maintained a connection with the regiment and was a member of the Royal Fusiliers Association up until 2021.