BATTLE OF BRITAIN ‘LACE’
A National Commemorative Service was held at the Australian National Korean War Memorial in Canberra on 25 June 2025 to mark the 75th anniversary of Australian involvement in the Korean War.
Air Vice-Marshal Alan Clements CSC (Ret’d), representing the National President, laid a wreath on behalf of the Air Force Association (AFA), with National Secretary Peter Colliver attending as the Association’s representative on the Consultative Committee during the solemn event.
Organised by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the service honoured over 18,000 Australians who served in the Korean War (1950–1953) and post-armistice ceasefire monitoring. Tragically, 340 lost their lives, 1,200 were wounded and 30 were taken prisoner, with 42 having no known grave. Additionally, 16 Australians died in South Korea during ceasefire monitoring (1953–1957), and 11 perished in Japan with British Commonwealth Forces Korea.
Australia’s swift response under the United Nations saw No. 77 Squadron in combat by July 1950 and the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, joining the 27th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade. Notable battles at Kapyong and Maryang San showcased Australian courage.
The service paid tribute to their sacrifices in a conflict that claimed over 1.5 million lives, including significant Korean civilian losses, with no formal peace treaty ever signed.