THE PUNCHBOWL December 15, 2006 - Korean War Veterans ...

Down Under Report
26
You Would Almost Think It Was The
Graybeards
Reading the items below would give
someone pause. “Did I miss these items in
The Graybeards?” one might ask.
No. They appeared in the July 2006 issue
of In Touch, the “Newsletter of the
Marlborough Branch, New Zealand Korea
Veterans Association,” which Les Pye was
kind enough to send to our editorial office.
By themselves, the entries are not dramatically
different than those that appear in
our own publication. What they do show,
however, is that Korean veterans in different
countries still share common ideas, problems,
philosophies, etc., just as they did when
they fought together for Korea’s freedom
over a half-century ago. And, at the center of
that common ground are Koreans, who
express their never-ending gratitude to New
Zealanders as well as the citizens of the other
countries who rushed to their aid in 1950.
May the bond never be broken. And, may
South Korea always remain free as a symbol
to the rest of the world about the meaning
and importance of freedom, and the willingness
of people from different countries
around the world to drive home the lesson
that “Freedom is not free.”
Here are a few excerpts:
NEWS ON NOBEL PEACE PRIZE MEDAL
Later in the newsletter a notice regarding
the medal appears. This is to advise that the
eligibility of Korean War service is in question,
and no further applications will be
processed. Information that was available
from the website in respect of NZKVA has
been withdrawn. Clarification of the years
which apply to eligibility of the medal is
expected in early July. Any decision will be
by telephone to members. Members with
other United Nations service from 1956 -
19S8 are unaffected.
THIS NEWSLETTER
It will be the only one before our commemoration
of the 53rd anniversary of the
Cease-fire. Therefore, I would ask you, no,
implore you, to note both the date of the
function and also that of the requirement to
notify your attendance or apology. Please,
please, please!
COMMEMORATION OF KOREAN WAR SERVICE
Discussion with the Mayor Alistair Sowman
on ANZAC Day with regard to the “Year of
the Veteran’‘ has borne fruit which will make
this 27* July commemoration unique.
Details are:
Place of Parade: Marlborough District
Council Chambers
Time of Parade: 9.45 a.m. for 10.00 a.m.
Dress: Jacket, tie and medals
After function: Council Chambers and later,
the RSA Bar. Blenheim Workingmen’s Club
Special Event: Presentation by the Mayor of
the Nobel Peace Prize medal to those in possession
of same and the Veterans Certificate
and Badge.
Following the ceremony, the permanent
wreath will be laid at the War Memorial and
remain in place there until sunset.
Veterans Certificate and Badge: If you
have already received these, please contact
Les ASAP and up to 25 July, so that list for
the Mayor is complete. Bring both items
with you to the parade suitably named.
ONSET OF THE KOREAN WAR 25 JUNE 1950
Each year the Department of Internal
Affairs hosts a wreath laying ceremony at the
National War Memorial for the day recognized
by the Republic of Korea as their
National Day of Commemoration. As this
date falls on a weekend, it will take place on
Friday 23rd.
AN EVENT IN WASHINGTON D.C.
Former Ambassador to the Republic of
Korea H.E. Roy Ferguson addressed the
ANZAC Day parade appropriately held at
the America Korea War Memorial on the
25th April 2006. It is also the 55th anniversary
of the closing stages of the battle at
Kapyong. He is currently NZ’s Ambassador
to the US and an Honorary Member of
NZKVA. Although the theme was Gallipoli,
he also cross-referenced the service of
Kayforce/RNZN in Korea and Korean
Waters and the current spread of our Defence
Forces serving in some 12 countries.
LIKE TO BACK TO SCHOOL IN KOREA?
An NZPA article in the Express recently
gave an NZ Teacher’s experiences in an
overview of her two years’ English language
teaching she accomplished there. “There is
certainly a lot more pressure on children. It is
not uncommon for those as young as 7 or 8
to attend school for 8 hours and then receive
private tuition in music, art, science and
English. Older students can be at school until
6 p.m., 10 p.m. or even 1 a.m. in some cases
and that is sitting in class studying—there is
very little physical activity in the ordinary
Korean school day. She admired the way in
which Korean parents encourage, perhaps
even push their children to strive for excellence.”
AN HISTORIC NZ ARMY MILESTONE
15 May, 1956. On this date, 10th NZ
Transport Company, Royal NZ Army
Service Corps (RNZASC) was formally disbanded
in line with the reduction of 1st
Commonwealth Division. The formation of
a Battalion sized group designated
“Commonwealth Contingent Korea” came
into being. Whilst the 10 Company complement
was sorted out to become an over
strength transport platoon for supply stores
and personnel movement of the remaining
Contingent HQ and infantry battalion, 90
members began returning to NZ on the
troopship New Australia and the balance by
RNMZAF Hastings flights.
There were now around 100 NZ personnel
remaining in both transport and other
duties. 10 Company having been absorbed
the NZ Divisional Transport Platoon in July
1954 (although it awkwardly remained under
Divisional HQ operational control) now
found itself un-named and based at Inchon,
east of the ROK capital Seoul. When, in
April 1957, the Government announced the
total withdrawal of Kayforce, and consequently
the decision to disband the
Commonwealth Contingent, only 80 NZ
personnel were on that strength. All but six
personnel departed Korea on 27 July 1957,
among the departees an NCO whose tours
totaled seven years, 234 days. Our NXKVA
Liaison Officer Trevor Lynch can also go in
the record book for just under six years’ service
without return to NZ for any furlough.
NZ’s commitment of one officer (and a driver)
as a national representative on the
Commonwealth Liaison Mission to the UN
Command from 1 September 1957 ended
Kayforce’s mission.
January – February 2007
The Graybeards