Royal British Legion Remembrance Parade in Dunoon.

15 November 2002

REMEMBERING THE HEROES OF THE “FORGOTTEN WAR”
REPRESENTATIVES from Scotland’s branches of the Royal British Legion turned out in their hundreds for Sunday’s Remembrance Parade in Dunoon.
In honour of the Korean War, otherwise known as the “Forgotten War”, colours from 22 different branches were accompanied by representatives of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Dunoon Community Council, Alan Reid MP, Councillors Walsh, McQueen and MacKinven, and members of the public, as they came together to remember those who gave their lives and their freedom.
The service was also privileged to receive the company of the Honour Guard of the US Navy, which is based in London, but came to Dunoon especially for the Parade and marched as part of it.
Major Terry Markwick said: “Many went out of their way to come to this parade, and it is very poignant for the locals, especially when Korean Veterans were present to lay wreaths at the Cenotaph.
“The Korean War is also known as the “Forgotten War”, even though it was the first major world conflict since World War II.”
He explained: “At 4am on June 25, 1950, without prior ultimatum or declaration of war, North Korea invaded the republic of South Korea, launching a well co-ordinated, full scale attack on both the ground and in the air.
“The response was immediate, and the fledgling United Nations (UN) passed a resolution deploying UN troops to Korea under the American General Douglas MacArthur.
“Over the next few weeks, whilst Military support was being organised, the US soldiers based in North Korea tried to stem the pressure of the attacks, but were forced back into a 50 mile pocket around Pusan, in the south of the country, which became known as the Pusan Perimeter.”
Terry continued: “The 1st Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders had been stationed in Hong Kong and, with the Middlesex Regiment, formed the UK’s 27th Brigade, which landed at Pusan in late August to augment the growing numbers of troops from many nations, which were also rushed to the war zone.
“The war continued and Armistice talks began in July 1951, but were short lived. However, talks re-commenced in October 1951 and, as these continued, bitter fighting raged. It was not until the death of Stalin in May 1953 that the fighting ceased and an uneasy peace broke out.
“Russia decided that it could no longer sustain the bank rolling of the war effort of its fellow communists – China and North Korea and an Armistice agreement was finally signed in Panmunjon on July 27, 1953.”
Terry added: “The peace was regularly broken and the situation remains tense to this day, although there has been a recent thawing of relations between the two countries, with a railway connection being re-established across their previously closed borders.
“We chose Sunday to have this parade, as it is close to the date of September 23, when, in 1951, 38-year-old Major Kenneth Muir of the 1st Batallion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders was killed in action. However, his acts of bravery in endeavouring to save the lives of his men earned him the highest British Military honour – The Victoria Cross – as well as the American Silver Star.”
It is estimated that, including civilians, more than four million lives were lost in the Korean War.
Terry explained: “It is this sacrifice by so many that we remembered on Sunday. We must recognise that, without their sacrifice, the freedom we take so much for granted today may not have been won at all. May their efforts be remembered for ever and may our gratitude never cease.”
The Royal British Legion are endeavouring to hold Remembrance Days throughout the coming years to remember all wars.
Thanks are extended to all who attended, including George and Margo Sharpe of the Royal British Legion; Jackie, Margaret, Susan, Casey and Liz for refreshments; and all members present.
Retired Warrant Officer Class 1 and Branch Chair of the Royal British Legion Dunoon Branch Alex Kennedy added: “I would like to take this opportunity to show my appreciation to everyone who made Sunday a successful day. It was a truly magnificent spectacle.”