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

On Friday 6 December we held our last reunion of the year at HM Tower of London. This again was joint reunion with City of London branch, with a turn out around 100.

These joint events became necessary as the attendance numbers for the reunions, particulary our London branch, was becoming too costly for the few members attending.

Whether the two branches merge remains to be discussed at both ours and the City branch AGMs next year.

During the evening a toast of port was raised to the memory of our recently passed friend Joe Garcia.

A Right Royal Treat

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

The Terry Crowley Memorial Dinner, our Annual Branch Dinner, took place on Friday 8th March at HM Tower of London. Our guest speaker was Brigadier Trevor Minter. We were also fortunate to have the late George Hodkinson's daugther Janet and her husband Roy in attendance.

More details here

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.

Click here to read the full story and more photos

On Saturday 17 August we learnt the sad news that Gerry Farmer had passed away.

Gerry, died at the Royal Hospital Chelsea where he'd been an In Pensioner for the past 10 years.

He was a Korean veteran and was badly wounded in June 1953 when the jeep he was driving came under heavy mortar attack and flipped the vehicle over trapping Gerry underneath.

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.

George Hodkinson DCM

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