HARD to FORGET

摘要

"IT WAS so far away that it didn't register with a lot of people, but it was very important," veteran Neville Williams tells Soldier as he reflects on his involvement in the "Forgotten War". In January 1951, the 21-year-old apprentice engineer was called up for national service - but instead of embarking on a routine of seemingly endless drill and boot polishing on camp he found himself on the front line of a conflict that claimed some three million lives, yet received very little in the way of public attention.Late last month marked the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War and July 27 is the date, in 1953, when the fighting ceased.The three-year struggle was ignited when the communist Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) launched an all-out offensive on its southern neighbour.Backed by China and the Soviet Union, the invading force was met by opposition from the United Nations Security Council, who called on its members for support. The United States quickly sent troops to the region, where they were later joined by British personnel.