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Grafton Korean War Memorial

Grafton Korean War Memorial
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Description / Background

The memorial consists of a large piece of sandstone with an attached plaque, flanked by two brick pillars joined by a metal arch featuring the United Nations symbol. The stone was sourced locally and the particular shape was chosen to represent the landscape of Korea. It is mounted on a concrete base inset into which are the words 'KOREA 1950–53' and plaques representing the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and Nursing Corps. At the rear of the base, are plaques representing the 41st Battalion The Byron Scottish, Australian Imperial Forces and Royal Australian Regiment. There are also two plaques attached to either face of the stone. One gives a brief history of Australia's involvement in the war including numbers of casualties. The other is a short biography of local man Lt. Col. Charles H. Green, DSO and Silver Star who was born at nearby Swan Creek. Lt. Col Green died of wounds on the 1st November 1950 and was the highest ranking Australian officer killed in the war.

Inscription

Plaque 1

Memorial Plaque

In Honour of all those who served with the United Nations Forces in Korea.

Korea was the first action taken by the newly formed United Nations.

21 Member Nations supported the South Korean People in this bitter struggle from 25th June 1950 until Cease fire 27th July 1953. Over Two Million Combatants and Civilians lost their lives.

The Australian contingent consisted of 17,164 Army, Navy and Air Force personnel 339 K.I.A. – 1,216 Wounded – 29 P.O.W.

This stone is a representation of the type of terrain our infantry had to conquer before coming to grips with their opponents in the field. In both instances, they excelled in their achievements.

To honour the 339 Australians who didn’t return from active service, including: Australian Army Korea Force 293 Royal Australian Air Force 41 Royal Australian Navy 5. 

Lest We Forget

Plaque 2

Lest We Forget

Our comrades who remain on the battlefield of North Korea

Army

Army 1-2-3 RAR

[Names]

RAAF

RAAF-77 Squadron

[Names]

RAN

RAN - Fleet Air Arm - 805 Squadron

[Names]

Missing in action their souls finding their way home.

This plaque was generously donated by Grafton & District Funderlas as a community service project.

Plaque 3

In Memory of Lt Col Charles H. Green DSO and Sliver Star Born: Swan Creek, Clarence Valley, 26th December 1919 K.I.A: Talchon River, Chongju Korea, 1st November 1950.

One of a select group of officers to ever command three Battalions in different areas of the infantry in the Military Forces. He started Military life in 1936: 41st, Bn, Militia Commissioned in 1939 in both: 41st, Bn, Militia and 2nd/2nd Bn, 2nd AIF Commands: His first Battalion, 2nd/11th Bn, 2nd Australian Imperial Force 1945 41st , Bn, Byron Bay Scottish, Citizen Military Forces 1948 3rd, Bn, Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Regular Army 1950.

A man with only one year of high school behind him – undaunted – took on sub contracting on the Pacific Highway at 16 years while studying at night and rose to become a highly qualified Commander of the Australian Army. May he always be an inspiration to the youth of the Clarence Valley.

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Address
Memorial Park
Prince Street
Grafton NSW 2460
Local Government Area
Clarence Valley Council
Setting
Garden/park
Memorial type
Stone/bushrock
Recorded by
Peter Hay, Clarence Valley Council
Year of construction
2003
Dedication date
26 July 2003
Conflict/s
Korean War, 1950–53
Materials
Sandstone