The Imjin Veterans’ Memorial Group have passed the halfway mark in their fundraising campaign for a memorial to the Forest of Dean veterans of the Battle of the Imjin River.
The campaign has attracted donations from many individuals, town and parish councils, local businesses and community organisations. The total raised is now over £11,000.
“I am thrilled with the response and the kind gestures of support that we’ve received from the whole Forest of Dean community,” said Julia Gooch, Chair of the group. “There’s real momentum behind the fundraising campaign which shows strong support to remember our veterans’ actions and tenacity in Korea in 1951. I’d like to thank everyone who has donated so far.”
Sixteenth Veteran To Be Honoured
The project group recently learnt of a sixteenth Battle of Imjin River veteran from the Forest of Dean who had been previously unknown to them. Alan Davies, who was born in Redbrook and lived in St Briavels and Lydney, will have his name added to the memorial. He came to light when Alan’s family read about the memorial appeal.
“My father was such a quiet person who kept himself to himself and never spoke about his experiences with the Glosters so nobody knew,” said his daughter, Mrs Pam Walker from Lydney. “I’m not surprised people didn’t know about him. When we saw the news about the memorial, we had to put his name forward.”
Alan, who died in 1989, was a Regular soldier who also served with 2nd Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment during WW2. He was wounded during the retreat to Dunkirk and went on to serve in Burma. At the Battle of the Imjin River, he was wounded again and evacuated before the Chinese encirclement.
Roger Deeks, Vice Lord-Lieutenant and member of the memorial project team, recently met Pam who showed him her father’s medals and a bullet which was removed from his shoulder after the Battle of the Imjin River.
“Alan was a remarkable soldier who was wounded in Dunkirk and in Korea. On both occasions he was fortunate not to have been killed or captured. His service should not be forgotten,” said Roger.
After his military service, Alan worked at Lydney Tin Plate Works – later Pine End Works – and was a keen angler at Lydney Lake in his spare time.
If anyone knows of a veteran associated with the Forest of Dean who fought at the Battle of Imjin River, 22 – 25 April 1951, the memorial project team would be very keen to hear from them and ask that they contact Forest of Dean District Council on 01594 810000.
Anyone wishing to contribute to the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial appeal will find details for bank transfer or cheque payments on the Imjin Veterans’ Memorial page on the Forest of Dean District Council’s website https://fdean.gov.uk/ImjinVeteranMemorial
Alternatively, donations can be made via the group’s Imjin JustGiving page (justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Imjinmemorial). The names of all donors will be recorded.