Princess Anne Honours Korean War Veterans at Historic South Korean Cemetery
Traveloasisspot.com – The Princess Royal has paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of British soldiers who participated in the Battle of Imjin River during her official visit to South Korea. Accompanied by her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, Anne arrived at the expansive United Nations Memorial Cemetery located in Busan on Tuesday to commemorate this significant milestone.
During a moving ceremony marking the 75th anniversary of the Imjin River conflict, the royal laid a wreath of red flowers at the base of a lion statue. This gesture honoured the fallen British servicemen who fought in what remains the bloodiest engagement experienced by the British Army since the conclusion of the Second World War.
As part of her commemorative activities, the King’s sister personally placed a single white chrysanthemum upon the grave of Private Martin Hogan. Hogan served with the British Army’s Black Watch regiment and tragically lost his life at the age of 19 on July 14, 1952. The princess also took time to tour the cemetery grounds and listened attentively to accounts of several Victoria Cross recipients who were killed in action and subsequently buried at this memorial site.
Heroes of the Imjin River
Among those honoured was Lieutenant Philip Curtis from Devonport in Devon. He received the United Kingdom’s highest military decoration for gallantry in the face of the enemy posthumously, having continued to command his platoon at Imjin River despite sustaining wounds. Curtis launched persistent counter-attacks against an enemy machine-gun position until he was killed in action.
The royal also visited the final resting place of Major Patrick Angier of The Gloucestershire Regiment. His remains were finally identified in 2023 through comprehensive analysis of historical records, which included maps, telegrams, reports, and letters. Major Angier had been killed at Imjin River but remained interred as an unknown soldier for more than seven decades.
During the fierce battle, approximately 4,000 troops from the British 29th Brigade, including roughly 700 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of The Gloucestershire Regiment, confronted more than 27,000 men from the Chinese 63rd Army. Over three days spanning April 22-25, 1951, the “Glorious Glosters” mounted a heroic last stand on Hill 235, which subsequently became known as Gloster Hill.
Some 59 men perished in the defence of the hill, while 526 were captured, with 180 of them wounded. An additional 34 men died while in captivity. However, their valiant tactics successfully delayed the advance of Communist troops, preventing them from outflanking the forces of the Republic of Korea and United Nations, and blocking a direct assault on the capital city of Seoul.
Royal Engagement with Veterans and Officials
The princess also enjoyed tea with three Korean war veterans: Ryu Young-bong, aged 92; Kim Eung-soo, aged 94; and 95-year-old Jeong Sik-hyeon. According to a spokesperson for the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Anne listened intently to the servicemen’s accounts and expressed “her deepest respect and gratitude for their immense sacrifice and devotion.”
A total of 2,339 UN servicemen from 14 different nations are buried at the cemetery. This visit marks the first trip to the republic by a member of the royal family in 13 years, since the late Queen’s cousin, the Duke of Gloucester, travelled there in 2013. The princess previously visited South Korea in 2018 for the Winter Olympics.
During her stay, Anne held an audience with South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung at his Cheongwadae residence, also known as the Blue House, in Seoul. Additionally, she and Sir Tim visited HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, one of the world’s largest shipbuilders, located in Ulsan. There, they learned about UK-South Korea industrial cooperation within the maritime and defence sectors.
Historically, the King, while serving as the Prince of Wales, and his then-wife Diana, Princess of Wales, conducted an official tour to South Korea in 1992. The couple were subsequently branded “The Glums” for appearing uncomfortable together while visiting a memorial to the Gloucester Regiment in Seoul. Just one month later, it was announced that Charles and Diana were separating.
