Brother of soldier 'proud' of memorial plans

The Imjin Veterans Memorial Steering Group hopes to raise money to build a tribute to Forest of Dean soldiers who fought in the Korean War

The brother of a Korean War soldier is "very proud" of plans to build a memorial in his regiment's honour.

Andrew Gardiner's brother David was a prisoner of war following the Battle of Imjin River in April 1951.

Soldiers from the Gloucestershire Regiment, or the "Glorious Glosters", were outnumbered nearly seven to one by the Chinese Red Army as they fought to save South Korea's capital.

The Imjin Veterans Memorial Steering Group hopes to raise £18,000 to build a memorial to the 15 Forest of Dean men who fought in the battle.

The memorial would be built at The Cyril Hart Arboretum near Coleford.

Mr Gardiner said the heroism displayed by the Glorious Glosters was "quite unbelievable", with 23 young soldiers killed overnight in the battle.

His brother David was held as a prisoner of war in North Korea.

"It was so oppressive, in order to survive the Siberian winter, they wanted you to sign for communism for food and medical treatment," Mr Gardiner said, recalling his brother's ordeal.

"There was a small group of the Glosters, about 20 of them, and they refused to sign. They were regarded as retrogrades and treated appallingly."

The group believes raising the required £18,000 is "achievable" as Foresters "really want to have their veterans remembered"

Mr Gardiner said his brother would be "very proud" of the plans to build a memorial.

"It's unbelievable, I'm very proud that we're able to do something in the Forest of Dean which will represent the whole of the country," he said.

Eight people are involved with making the project happen, including Anny Reid, who is a trustee of the Royal British Legion and chair of trustees at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Ms Reid served in the Royal Air Force for 30 years, so is "very aware of casualties and deaths" and "passionate" about remembering people who have fought for their country.

"I'm really proud that we've got this far and that we've managed to achieve this because I think it is very important not just for the Forest themselves, but for the families of those men who who lost their lives at Korea," she said.