Rick Wilson (O'Connor, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Before the member for Canning leaves, I would like to mention what a great privilege it is to follow him, a decorated former member of the Australian Defence Force, in this address. Considering the context of the matter we are discussing here today, I would also like to mention the member for Canning's service in Afghanistan. We are so blessed in this country that young men and women are prepared to volunteer their services to protect our values. I thank the member for Canning for that.

The motion before the House today is one of great importance, particularly in 2016, the 65th year since the two major battles of the Korean War. As the member for Canning mentioned, the Korean War is often referred to as the 'forgotten war'. Australians fought and died in Korea, yet the veterans of this conflict have not always received the recognition they deserve. But I will return to this thought in a moment.

Sixty-five years ago, Australian soldiers joined British, New Zealand and American forces in the valley of the Kapyong River. Over three days in April 1951, the combined forces held their ground against a Chinese and North Korean offensive on Seoul. The enemy's forces numbered close to 500,000. On 23 April, the 27th Commonwealth Brigade was ordered forward to the valley of the Kapyong River, where a critical route ran south through the region. Faced with a requirement to cover a seven-kilometre front, the commander of the 27th Brigade accepted it would be impossible to establish a continuous defensive line. Instead, he set about creating strong points to block and contain any enemy offensive. One of the first battalions deployed, the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, was sent to hold the high ground to the east of the river. The men of 3RAR halted the Chinese advance in their sector, and no further attempts were made to break through on the eastern flank of the British brigade. But the battle cost the Australians dearly: 32 men were killed, 59 were wounded and three were captured as they withstood a continuous attack by a far more numerous Chinese force for more than 24 hours.

Six months later, the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment was again involved in one of the most momentous Australian actions of the Korean War. Fighting alongside British troops, 3RAR attacked a group of hills near the Imjin River. The attack was named after hill 317, the largest of those hills, also known as Maryang San. The capture of hill 317 was particularly significant because it allowed UN forces to push the Chinese troops back several kilometres. But it came at a price: 20 Australians died in this conflict and a further 89 were wounded.

These two battles speak of the resounding courage and resilience of the Australian troops who fought in the Korean War. Our soldiers fought to defend democracy and the values that we treasure in Australia. Those values are now upheld in South Korea, which I consider to be one of the great success stories of the 20th century. Yet the veterans of this conflict do not always receive our gratitude to the extent that they deserve. I would like to share, if I may, the story of Richard Woodhams, better known to his friends and family as Dick. Dick Woodhams enlisted in the Australian Army in 1951 at the age of 19. A member of the 6th platoon, 3rd battalion, he fought in the Battle of Maryang San 65 years ago. Now 85, he resides in Albany, the same town where I live with my family in the electorate of O'Connor. In regard to the notion of the forgotten war, he had this to say:

When I joined the RSL in 1953 and I mentioned I'd been in the Korean War, they said, 'You're joking mate, that wasn't a war.' Any veterans of the Korean War, they understand, but the old timers, they tend to think that it wasn't a 'real war'.

The conflict in Korea may not be recognised as one of great significance for Australians, but for veterans like Dick the memories of this war still linger on. He still remembers the cries of the Chinese troops as the 3rd battalion sprayed machine gun fire across the hills near Imjin.

Dick is one of the four Korean War veterans that live in Great Southern in O'Connor. I would like to pay tribute to Ivan Tilney and Victor Pope, also from Albany, and my old friend Ian Mangan of Jerramungup, who recently passed away.

These men deserve our respect and our gratitude. Of the 17,000 Australians that fought in the Korean War, 356 were killed and another 1,200 were wounded. The Korean conflict might be known as the 'forgotten war', but today we have a chance to recognise the Australians who fought for that democracy. I offer my gratitude and respect for every soldier who served in Korea, and I am sure everyone in this chamber would join me in honouring their contribution.

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