❓ Mr. Abetz asks about the WA government's plans to honour Korean War veterans on Remembrance Day. The Minister details the release of biographies of 34 WA Korean War casualties and acknowledges the war's mixed legacy and the need for greater recognition.
AnsweredQoN 885Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
REMEMBRANCE DAY — KOREAN WAR VETERANS
885. Mr P. ABETZ to the Minister for
Veterans:
Tomorrow is the ninety-eighth anniversary of the Armistice, which ended
the Great War. Remembrance Day is when we honour the Australian service men and
women who died in all conflicts, including the Korean War. Can the minister
please update the house on how the Liberal–National government will be
honouring the Western Australians who died in the Korean War?
885. Mr P. ABETZ to the Minister for
Veterans:
Tomorrow is the ninety-eighth anniversary of the Armistice, which ended
the Great War. Remembrance Day is when we honour the Australian service men and
women who died in all conflicts, including the Korean War. Can the minister
please update the house on how the Liberal–National government will be
honouring the Western Australians who died in the Korean War?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for his interest in this. In fact, I thank all
members who I know will stop tomorrow at 11 o'clock on the eleventh day
of the eleventh month to remember not just those who lost their lives in the
Great War but also the 102 000 Australians who have lost their lives in all
conflicts since Federation.
This year also marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Battles of Kapyong and Maryang San. To honour the 34 Western Australians
who were killed in action or who died of their wounds during the Korean War,
tomorrow I will be releasing on the veterans minister's website a biography
of each of those 34 Western Australians. The Korean War saw more than 17 000
Australian volunteers serve as part of the United Nations force. In response to
North Korea's invasion of the south, the newly established United
Nations Security Council faced its first significant test. The Korean War also
marks the last time that all three Australian services were engaged in what is
defined as a conventional war. Many who fought in Korea were experienced hands.
Many Western Australians who served in Korea had also fought in World War II.
In fact, two Western Australians who went on to fight in Korea had been
prisoners of war during the Second World War. The biographies that I am
publishing tomorrow contain remarkable stories of courage and self-sacrifice in
circumstances of great peril. One of them is of Corporal Kevin Cooper, who was
later mentioned in dispatches for his bravery and leadership while defending a position
known as the ''Hook''. Another tells of the Battle of Broken
Bridge, where two Western Australians died on the same day taking that
position. Sadly, the final resting place of 43 Australians remains unknown,
including that of six Western Australians. No doubt they are still behind North
Korean lines, so their remains obviously remain beyond our reach. We can only
imagine the anguish this still causes their surviving families and friends.
Korea has left a mixed legacy for many veterans who returned home. Some
feel that their contribution has been forgotten by history and ignored by the
wider public. It is important that during the official period of Anzac
centenary commemorations, our commitment to Korea receives the attention it
deserves. It was an unheralded chapter in our history, not just as a state but
also as a country. It is a war that needs to be better understood. I encourage
everyone to spend a few minutes looking through the biographies that will be
published on the veterans minister's website tomorrow.
members who I know will stop tomorrow at 11 o'clock on the eleventh day
of the eleventh month to remember not just those who lost their lives in the
Great War but also the 102 000 Australians who have lost their lives in all
conflicts since Federation.
This year also marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of the Battles of Kapyong and Maryang San. To honour the 34 Western Australians
who were killed in action or who died of their wounds during the Korean War,
tomorrow I will be releasing on the veterans minister's website a biography
of each of those 34 Western Australians. The Korean War saw more than 17 000
Australian volunteers serve as part of the United Nations force. In response to
North Korea's invasion of the south, the newly established United
Nations Security Council faced its first significant test. The Korean War also
marks the last time that all three Australian services were engaged in what is
defined as a conventional war. Many who fought in Korea were experienced hands.
Many Western Australians who served in Korea had also fought in World War II.
In fact, two Western Australians who went on to fight in Korea had been
prisoners of war during the Second World War. The biographies that I am
publishing tomorrow contain remarkable stories of courage and self-sacrifice in
circumstances of great peril. One of them is of Corporal Kevin Cooper, who was
later mentioned in dispatches for his bravery and leadership while defending a position
known as the ''Hook''. Another tells of the Battle of Broken
Bridge, where two Western Australians died on the same day taking that
position. Sadly, the final resting place of 43 Australians remains unknown,
including that of six Western Australians. No doubt they are still behind North
Korean lines, so their remains obviously remain beyond our reach. We can only
imagine the anguish this still causes their surviving families and friends.
Korea has left a mixed legacy for many veterans who returned home. Some
feel that their contribution has been forgotten by history and ignored by the
wider public. It is important that during the official period of Anzac
centenary commemorations, our commitment to Korea receives the attention it
deserves. It was an unheralded chapter in our history, not just as a state but
also as a country. It is a war that needs to be better understood. I encourage
everyone to spend a few minutes looking through the biographies that will be
published on the veterans minister's website tomorrow.
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