Seventy years on from the end of the Korean War, a Powys woman has shared an extraordinary story of her connection to the conflict.
Jan Williams grew up unaware of her biological father’s identity until she discovered, at the age of 50, that her father fought and died in the Korean War when he was just 19 years old.
Mrs Williams, Chairman of the Welshpool branch of the Royal British Legion, shared her story as part of RBL commemorating 70 years since the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement on July 27, 1953.
Her father, Patrick ‘Paddy’ Kelly, fought in the Korean War, serving with the Duke of Wellington Regiment as Private. In 1953, the same year as the armistice, he was killed in action at the age of 19. Private Kelly is now buried at the UN Military Cemetery in Busan.
Jan grew up unaware of her biological father's identity, learning about her adoption and her father’s death in Korea when she was 50 years old.
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She said: “It was such a shock. My stepdad’s sister said to me ‘he’s not your Dad, your biological father was killed from a war somewhere’.
“My husband, Alan, took on the task of uncovering more information. After 15 years of searching came across a newspaper clipping mentioning two men from Huddersfield who had been killed in the Korean War, one of them being Paddy.
“This led us to Joanne, whose husband was Paddy's nephew and through a Facebook friend request, we connected, allowing us to learn more about biological father and his family.
“The connection to the conflict ignited a strong involvement with the Royal British Legion.”
Since learning about her father, Jan has worked as an Honorary Poppy Appeal Organiser for Welshpool and holds the position of Chairman for the Welshpool Branch.
On the anniversary of the end of the Korean War, the Royal British Legion is paying tribute to all those who served during the conflict. They are inviting veterans and their families to participate in Remembering Korea – 70 years on, a commemorative event at Horse Guards Parade in London.
Philippa Rawlinson, Director of Remembrance at the Royal British Legion, comments: “More than 100,000 British and Commonwealth armed forces fought in the Korean War, facing harsh conditions, freezing winters and fierce battles.
“Many showed great bravery despite, at times, being heavily outnumbered by the enemy. More troops were killed in the Korean War than any other war since World War 2 yet now, 70 years on since the end of the conflict, many feel Korea is the ‘Forgotten War’.
“It is vital that we all remember and honour those who served in the Korean War and that the sacrifice of the 1,100 British men who lost their lives is never forgotten.”
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