Between 1950 and 1953, nearly 100,000 British troops fought on the Korean Peninsula. Although four million people lost their lives in the conflict, many people now see this chapter in 20th-century military history as ‘the Forgotten War’.
Many of the British soldiers who served in Korea were National Service personnel who reverted to a civilian career immediately after being demobbed, with little acknowledgement of the huge sacrifice they had made and the courage they displayed. Now, members of the Royal Hospital veteran community come together to share their own experiences of a conflict which, for them, is far from forgotten.
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About the speakers
The Royal Hospital Chelsea has been home to the British Army veteran community, fondly known across the globe as the Chelsea Pensioners, since it first opened its doors in 1692. Around 300 Chelsea Pensioners call the Royal Hospital home today.
Hailing from across the United Kingdom, the current community includes men and women who served in conflicts ranging from the Second World War to the Gulf War. But every Chelsea Pensioner understands what it means to serve in the armed forces and the potential sacrifice that entails. Together, they are the iconic faces of the British veteran community, upholding the Royal Hospital’s tradition of remembrance.
