Korean War Veterans Memorial Day

The Preston Branch of the Korean War Veterans Association took a coach load to a Commemoration Day at the National Memorial Arboretum

at Alrewas in Staffordshire. Among the party as guests of the Association were Geoff Moore, Jim Withnell and Ken Ingham from Earl of Lathom Chapter

and Ernie Kenyon of Farington Lodge.

Geoff had served in the RAF Regiment in Aden, Ernie in the Royal Navy mostly in the Mediterranean and Jim in the Royal Engineers Korea

as part of the first Commonwealth Division.

After a moving Memorial Service in the marquee, a parade and march past ending with the laying of wreaths, all were free to visit the

range of memorials to all who had lost their lives in the service of the Country since the end of the Second World War.

Jim Withnell recalled his service as he spent a moment at the Royal Engineers’ memorial, and proudly found the names of two of his

comrades who sadly lost their lives in the conflict on the Armed Forces Memorial.  Geoff paid his respects at the Royal Air Force Regiment memorial,

and Don paid his respects at the Royal Navy memorials. Ken Ingham also found the memorials for the Royal Hong Kong Police and the

Lancashire Constabulary in both of which he once served.

All four also gathered at the Freemasons’ Memorial, which is designed in the form of a rough and perfect ashlar on a squared pavement.

Pictured: Geoff, Jim, Don and Ken at the Masonic memorial

Pictured: The upper face of the rough ashlar

Pictured: Jim Withnell remembers his comrades at the Royal Engineers’ memorial

Pictured: Geoff & Don recall memories and tell a few stories!!