Metal Plaque mounted on wood for hanging. Plaque commemorates Korean Veterans Association. Presentation mount has engraved plates stating 'Navy' 'Army' 'Airforce' 'Presented to the Tramways East Melbourne Sub Branch RSL By F Wyatt, EX 1BTN 1952 - 53' 1 btn, korea, plaque, 1952, 1953, korean veterans association

Korean Veterans Association of Australia Inc. Donated to Dandenong RSL by Major General J C Hughes AO DSO MC.Korean Veterans Association Patron: Major General J C Hughes AO, DSO, MC. The Korean War 1950 - 1953. Bordered by the Flags of 21 Nations.

On 23 April, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson, and the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, occupied prominent hills on either side of the seven-kilometre-wide valley, where a small tributary joined the Kapyong River. Also forward were headquarters units, tanks and artillery. The 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, were to the rear. Early in the evening, retreating South Koreans streamed past the Commonwealth position, with Chinese forces closely intermingled. Soon afterwards a platoon of American tanks supporting 3 RAR was overrun. The Kapyong valley was too large an area to defend with the forces available, and the brigade was spread very thinly. Throughout the night the Chinese repeatedly pressed the Australian positions, attacking in waves over their own dead and wounded. At dawn, A Company, under the command of Major Bernard "Ben" O'Dowd, found that the Chinese had infiltrated its position, but a counter-attack was able to eject them. Meanwhile B Company, which had spent the night on a hill near the riiver, discovered Chinese occupying some old bunkers on a small knoll. Hand-to-hand fighting ensued with grenades and bayonets. C Company, under the command of Captain Reg Saunders, was in position to reinforce both A and B Companies. "Major O'Dowd then directed the radio operator to contact anyone. The American 1st Marine Division answered but their operator refused to believe who our operator was speaking for. Major O'Dowd took the phone and demanded to speak to the commanding officer. The general in charge of the [Marine] division came on the phone and told O'Dowd we didn't exist as we had been wiped out the night before. Major O'Dowd said, 'I've got news for you, we are still here and we are staying here.'" Private Patrick Knowles, 3 RAR, on the morning of 24 April 1951 Fighting continued throughout the day with the Australians holding their positions, and the Chinese also engaging D Company. But late on 24 April, with their position now untenable, the Australians were forced into a fighting withdrawal down a ridge to the valley, where they rejoined the brigade. Their withdrawal was supported by New Zealand artillery from the 16th Field Regiment. Having found the Canadian position unassailable, the Chinese made no further attacks. By the afternoon of 25 April the road through to the Canadians had been cleared of Chinese and 2 PPCLI was relieved by US Army units. On Anzac Day 1951, the Australians rested after a long fight. Thirty-two Australians were killed and 53 were wounded for their part in stalling the Chinese advance and preventing Seoul from falling into enemy hands. Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Ferguson was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his skilful leadership, and the Australian and Canadian battalions both received United States Presidential Distinguished Unit Citations for their part in the battle. http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/korea/operations/kapyong/Print of painting of action in Kapyong Korea in wooden frame under glassDonated by Frank Arnold on behalf of Korean Veterans Association of Australia inc.korea, kapyong, 3rar

Attached to the brochure re Korean War Veterans Memorials Cape Cod, MA..1) Brown, round medallion that is imprinted on front with printing & figure of soldier. Back is imprinted with print & 2 small enamel bars, one blue/white the other white. .2) Korean War Veterans memorial brochure. Front around outside: “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE 1950” Back around outside: “KOREAN WAR VETERANS ASSOCIATION, CAPE COD & ISLANDS” Centre: “KWVA”medallions, korea, 1950.53

Chaplain John Brownbill served in the Korean War, and was part of the Army Reserve in later years. Gerald Cudmore served as Padre with 1RAR in Vietnam in 1965/66 and was the first Branch Padre of the RAR Association in Victoria. At the time this image was taken Gerald Cudmore was the Vicar General of Melbourne. Photograph of Chaplain John Brownbill, of the 3RAR and Gerald Anthony Cudmore of the 1RAR, in front of the Shrine of Remembrance, Melbourne. The image was taken during the late 1990's on Vietnam Veterans Day. padre, vietnam, vietnam veterans day, 1rar, 3rar, korea