Mt Evelyn RSL once again brought to light the Australian heroes who sacrificed their youth for world peace.
At 11am on the Korean War Veterans Day, 27 July, the local RSL sub-branch held a short wreath laying service, commemorating the Australian soldiers who flew over to the Korean Peninsula to fight against the dictatorship attacking South Korea.
Mt Evelyn RSL conducts many services that other RSL sub-branches don’t normally host, including Korean War Veterans Day Service and National Servicemen’s Day Service.
President Matthew Crymble said commemoration is one of the core responsibilities of the RSL.
“Today’s service is about commemorating all those Australian men and women who served in the Korean War,” he said.
“A core duty of the RSL is to commemorate all those that have preceded us in Australia’s defence, especially those that paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“Mt Evelyn RSL last year conducted 13 such services. No matter where Australia has fought or served in operations, we will remember them. Lest we forget.”
The Korean War broke out when North Korea invaded South Korea on 25 June 1950.
Within a few days, South Korea lost its capital, Seoul.
With hope looking to disappear for South Korea, soldiers from all around the world flew to support South Korea as the United Nations Security Council declared North Korea the aggressor and set up the United Nations Command.
Australia was one of 21 members of the United Nations to send military forces to help South Korea.
Fighting formally ended on 27 July 1953 when an armistice was signed by officials from the United States, North Korea and China.
Of almost 18,000 Australian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel who served in Korea, 340 lost their lives, over 1216 were wounded, and 29 became prisoners of war.
More than 150 Australian nursing sisters served both in Korea and Japan during the war.
They treated the wounded and sick in hospitals, aboard hospital trains and on aeromedical evacuation flights.
Mr Crymble said sadly, Mt Evelyn RSL’s last Korean War veteran passed away in 2023 at the age of 92.
“Frank Cannon served with the Royal Australian Navy and saw active service in the Korean War on HMAS Anzac,” he said.
“Frank was a gunnery sailor and once shared with me stories of shelling enemy positions in the war.”
A South Korean who attended the service said South Koreans really appreciate the sacrifice of soldiers from all around the world to protect their country.
“Thank you, Mt Evelyn RSL, Matt and everyone, for organising this special service. It means a lot to all Koreans, including myself,” the South Korean said.
“In school, we learnt about the history of the Korean War as well as the support from other countries to protect us from the North Korean dictator.
“Without all those veterans who sacrificed their time and life to come over to fight for peace in a country that they’d never heard of, I would never have been able to get opportunities to study abroad, come to Australia, make new friends and learn many things.
“Thinking of your sacrifice, I cannot complain about any small stuff, but I just am grateful for everything that I’ve got. I really would like to say thank you to all those veterans and their families.”
