A moving ceremony to commemorate the fallen soldiers of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry during the 1950-53 Korean War was held at St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury on Sunday, 26th April, 2014.The Korean War, often referred to as ‘the forgotten war’,was a battle between Chinese backed communists and the coalition forces of the post WW2 newly formed United Nations.
The High Sheriff was kindly invited to attend this specially dedicated service to a Memorial Plaque with the names, indelibly printed, of 60 fallen soldiers from the KSLI who had bravely fought and died in the war. In attendance was General Sir Peter de la Billiere and his wife. He began his soldering carrier with the KSLI before going into the final stages of the Korean War with the DLI.
The address was given by the National President of The British Korean Veterans Association, Major General Swindells CB, before a congregation about 200 relatives and friends of KSLI soldiers lost in the war. A commemorative tribute was given by Mr. J. Yeoward, Platoon Commander 1 KSLI.
Following a splendid service the Plaque was ceremoniously carried into the Regimental Chapel attached to St Chad’s where it now hangs alongside other commemorative plaques. The service was followed by a reception at Copthorne Barracks which enabled all the congregation and service personnel to mingle and share their memories.