Strong attendance as Albany remembers Korean War with annual commemorative service at St John’s Church

The Albany RSL held its annual Korean War commemorative service at St John’s Church on Sunday afternoon, which was a moving ceremony despite wet and windy conditions.

Albany RSL services director Michael Tugwell said the weather forecast deterred some attendees, but a smaller congregation did not take away from the respect of the service.

TS Vancouver naval cadets marched the flags of Australia, New Zealand and the UK in to begin the service, followed by the Australian and UK national anthems.

Korean War veteran Ivan Tilney, who served in Korea as an engineer in the British Army, read the traditional verses after the opening address by Albany RSL president Rex Hendriks and the prayer by Reverend Karen Cave.

Mr Tilney was joined by fellow veteran Ken Morrison, and the service again acknowledged the service of Albany’s John Atkinson, who was killed in Korea at the Battle of Kapyong on April 24, 1951.

Mr Tugwell gave the keynote address and said it was very special to have two veterans still in Albany and able to attend this year’s service.

“There are very few Korean War veterans still alive in WA, so it’s significant for us to have both of them in Albany with us,” he said.

He said the peacekeeping operations following the 1953 ceasefire in Korea remained a significant part of Australia’s involvement in the conflict, and its servicemen and women deserved to be remembered.

“Peacekeeping still has its risks, not in the same way as war, but the risk is still definitely there,” Mr Tugwell said.

“The Korean War was the first test for a newly formed UN.

“It was a hastily assembled force and not many people realise North and South Korea are still officially at war; there was a ceasefire, but never an end to the war.

“The large American force that remains in South Korea is what I think continues to act as the main deterrent to North Korea.”

The service concluded with the Ode, read by Mr Hendriks, and the Last Post and Rouse, both played by City of Albany Band bugler James Cooper.

A temporary reprieve in the rain enabled the TS Vancouver cadets to re-lay wreaths outside at the Albany War Memorial on York Street, led from the church by piper Andy Davis.