Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Health) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to speak about the last veterans' mission to Korea, to acknowledge the brave men and nurses who served in the Korean War. Often considered the forgotten war, the Korean War began five years after the Second World War and lasted three years in the defence of South Korea.

The Korean War was a major conflict, with far-reaching implications for Australia and the world. It was the first war between major parties during the Cold War period and the first fought by the United Nations. Twenty-one countries committed personnel from South Korea, Britain, New Zealand and the United States. Australia became the second nation—behind the United States—to commit personnel from all three armed services. Over three years some 17,000 Australians served with 1,216 Australians injured and a further 29 were taken as prisoners of war. Ultimately, 340 Australians were killed and an additional 43 would go missing in action. Tragically, there were an additional 16 individuals killed in the post-armistice period. In total, as a result of the Korean War, 399 Australians would make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Perhaps one of the most well-known battles of the Korean War is the Battle of Kapyong, which occurred in April 1951, which became one of the most significant and important battles for Australian troops in Korea. The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment—more commonly known as Old Faithful—distinguished themselves in Korea through their bravery and fierce determination, and the Battle of Kapyong is one of the finest examples of this.

On the night of 22 April 1951 Chinese forces launched a major offensive against the United Nations forces defending Seoul. The next morning the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade, which included 3RAR, was ordered to the valley of the Kapyong River, about 60 kilometres northeast of Seoul, where South Korean forces were being driven back. Over the course of the night and day the Australians and a Canadian battalion, supported by a New Zealand artillery regiment, stalled the Chinese advance before eventually withdrawing after dark.

The men of 3RAR suffered significant casualties with 32 men killed, 59 wounded and three taken prisoner. The Australians had helped hold up the Chinese 60th Division and inflicted heavy casualties, which totalled more than 500 killed. For their contribution to this action, 3RAR was awarded a US presidential citation. In addition, Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his skilful leadership.

This is just the efforts of one battalion in a commitment of 17,000 Australians in this war. They are 17,000 people who left their families and friends behind to put their lives on the line, some never to return. But while the war was overshadowed, the contribution of the brave Australians who served in Korea is not forgotten. They placed their lives on the line and we owe them a debt that can never be repaid.

Last year, the Minster for Veterans' Affairs, the Hon Dan Tehan MP, and the shadow assistant minister for cyber security and defence personnel, Ms Gai Brodtmann, travelled to Korea on a 65th anniversary commemorative mission organised by the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Eight Korean War veterans accompanied the minister and the shadow assistant minister on this important trip. The Magnificent Eight, as they are known, represented each of the three Australian services who fought in the Korean War. Gordon 'Taffy' Hughes was a naval aviator flying operations from the deck of HMAS Sydney. Spencer `Ray' Seaver was a pilot in No. 77 Squadron, and Graham Connor and Les Hall served in the 1RAR. They were joined by John 'Jack' Lang, Les Powell, John Murphy and Peter Scott from 3RAR.

Both the minister and shadow assistant minister spoke in the parliament recently of the honour of accompanying these men on their return to a country that they only knew as a theatre of war. They spoke of the reception the men received and of how moving the experience was for them. I had the privilege of talking to a number of those men on the floor of the parliament, and for some of them it was the first time they had been back to visit Korea since that very difficult time. In her speech, the shadow assistant minister recalled a story told to her by Graham Connor about being recognised by an elderly man near a market. Graham recalled, 'He came over and said to me, "Are you a Korean War veteran?" and I said, "Yes," and he threw his arms around me and burst out crying and said, "Thank you, thank you."' This was a very touching story told by the shadow assistant minister. It reflects the gratitude expressed by the Korean people. What a remarkable experience and fitting tribute to the brave men who served in the Korean War.

Listening to the stories told by the minister and shadow assistant minister in the chamber last week, I can tell you that it is not an experience they will forget soon. The Korean War played a significant role in the formation of Australia's identity, as the traditional ties to Britain and the Empire were fading and the growing bonds with the United States were reshaping how we considered our place in the world. The significance of this service and sacrifice by all Australians who served in this war cannot be underestimated. On behalf of this chamber, we thank you for your contribution, we thank you for your sacrifice, we acknowledge those who fought and we acknowledge those who never returned. Lest we forget!

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