Shropshire veterans' final act as group disbands
It was a conflict that cost the British armed forces more than 1,000 lives, but also one that has been labelled The Forgotten War.
The Korean War may have been forgotten by many people, but it lived on in the minds of the soldiers who fought in it, with a Korean Veterans Association formed in 1981.
But that association disbanded at the end of last year and the Shropshire branch of the KVA followed suit in February this year.
At a poignant ceremony, the last act of the disbanding of the Shropshire branch took place with the laying up of the association's flag.
The ceremonial flag was handed over to the Royal British Legion club in Dawley, which is where the Shropshire veterans held their monthly meetings.
Ted Jones, from Wellington, the secretary of the Shropshire branch, said that dwindling numbers and the age of the members had led to the decision to disband.
He said: "We had to accept that age had caught up with us. I am 81, the chairman is 85 and we are all getting too old to take on these responsibilities.
"It is very sad, but like the Burma Star organisation and many other WW2 groups, there comes a time when you have to say it is time to stop."
The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, when the communist North Koreans launched attacks against an ill-prepared South Korean army and its US advisers.
The United Nations called upon member states to render assistance to restore security in the area and British forces soon became engaged in the conflict. Britain was still reeling from the effects of World War Two and dealing with the growing Soviet threat in Europe, but by the time the Korean War ended in 1953, 100,000 servicemen from these shores were involved.
Mr Jones was unable to attend the laying down of the flag ceremony as he is bedridden. His condition a legacy of a wound he picked up while fighting in the Korean conflict.
His wife Patricia attended in his place and she said: "It was a very sad day and an emotional event, but everything has to come to an end at some point.
"I am sure that the members will still keep in touch and there is already talk of them getting together at Christmas."
The ceremonial flag handed over by the Shropshire veterans is expected to be fixed on a wall at the Royal British Legion club in Station Road.
