With all the trials and tribulations 2016 has bought to the world so far, it’s nice to take a moment to come together and reflect on such important moments in our country’s history.
Like many people across the nation, remembrance day holds a strong place in my heart, however I am very fortunate to not have to mourn personally. My Grandfather fought in the Korean War in the early fifties, and due to a bout of dysentery, he was removed from the front line, the only of his comrades to see another day.
With South and North Korea still only technically in a ceasefire, the South remains incredibly close with its veterans, and my grandfather has been lucky enough to be invited back to the country three times since he fought. When I was 18, I myself was one of 15 grandchildren of UK veterans to be invited over by the Korean government, gaining a true insight into the sacrifices made by those in both my grandfather’s generation, and all those previous and post his time.
This year marks 63 years since the signing of the armistice agreement between North & South Korea, 71 years since the end of WW2, and 98 years since the end of WW1 – with just under 1.3 million UK troops having lost their lives to war since the beginning of WW1.
My Grandfather, Anthony White