New Zealand in the Korean War

[2] The Korean War lasted from 25 June 1950 to 27 July 1953 when an armistice agreement was signed, however New Zealand forces remained in a reduced capacity until final troops were withdrawn in 1957.

[5] A large portion of those who enlisted had previously served in Jayforce, some eager to return to the adventure of 'the East' and resist the normality of civilian life and post war New Zealand society.

[5]The force left Wellington on 10 December 1950, arriving at Pusan (modern day Busan) on New Year's Eve, joining the British 27th Infantry Brigade 21 January.

[6] The New Zealanders immediately saw combat and spent the next two and a half years taking part in the operations (most notably the Battle of Kapyong and the First Battle of Maryang-san) which led the United Nations forces back to and over the 38th Parallel (with the NZ naval vessels being especially active in the inner Han River estuary), later recapturing Seoul in the process.

The prisoner, Norman Graeme Garland, from Cambridge, Waikato, was held in North Korea for eighteen months and repatriated after the armistices.

[1][9] On 3 July, these two first ships left Devonport Naval Base, Auckland and joined other Commonwealth forces at Sasebo, Japan, on 2 August.

[16] A New Zealand Army artillery lieutenant was attached to a USAF tactical control unit as an observer in light aircraft.

New Zealand born Alan Boxer, later a British air marshal, flew B-29 Superfortress missions on USAF attachment.

One New Zealander flying in Korea as a lieutenant in the British Royal Navy from HMS Ocean, Cedric Macpherson, was killed on 11 February 1953 when his Hawker Sea Fury was shot down by ground fire.

[5] Cull served two years in Korea in a Mobile Dental Unit associated with a field artillery regiment.

Cull became lead of 2 Mobile Dental Unit in the territorials and was appointed major, treating the local Korean people when he could.

Mackley was able to use his skill in photography during his time in the air force, taking aerial photographs for land surveying as well as documenting his fellow recruits during their medical examinations.

[24][19] Mackley served with Charlie Troop, 162 Battery as a signaller for three months before he was appointed sergeant and the Kayforce's official photographer.

[19][25] This position required Mackley to travel between Korea to photograph and then to the Kayforce base in Kure, Japan to process and print film.

[19] Born 31 January 1933 in Gisbourne, Donald Hay was an Able Seaman in the New Zealand Navy, heading to serve in the Korean War on HMNZS Rotoiti at age 17.

He noted that during his time serving in the Navy he never actually set foot on the mainland of Korea, remaining on the ship and only going ashore to smaller islands.

The Christophers family lost four men in WWI, a book was written based on their story titled, Poppy Boys by Lynley Dear.

[32][33][34] Due to airsickness, Christophers was unable to continue flying and instead moved to administrative work at the Royal New Zealand Air Force stations in Fiji and Tonga.

Christophers was posted to 162 Battery and Dog Troop as well as being a technical assistant gunner, fighting in the Battle of Kapyong.

[19] Christophers recalled South Korean president, Syngman Rhee gave them a presidential unit citation to acknowledge their efforts.

[37] Kemp was a gunner for Able Troop, 161 Battery and recalls the camaraderie within New Zealand forces between Māori and Pākehā in the Kayforce.

[19] Born 1930 in Waipawa, Knight was a quartermaster with the navy and left to Korea onboard HMNZS Hawea, leaving in February 1951.

Knight was also involved with the Hawea Rugby team that played against American and British troops from HMS Ladybird.

Son of Kingi Areta of the 28 Māori Battalion, attempted to enlist twice in Wairoa and Hakwes Bay, being rejected both times.

[39] Eventually enlisting successfully, Keiha travelled alongside troops from the Commonwealth, he recalls being the only New Zealander on board.

[19] During his time in Kayforce, Horner repaired trucks, changed tyres, welded and overall attended to mechanical issues.

[50][51] Dennis Fielden was born 17 November 1918 in England and moved to New Zealand two years prior to his enlistment to Korea.

[20][19] Some New Zealand units utilised the help of young local Korean boys to assist with small tasks.

In 1992 a Korean War Memorial Stone was unveiled in Auckland's Dove-Myer Robinson Park as a gift from the people of South Korea to New Zealand.

[111] Most notably, in Busan, the United Nations Memorial Cemetery (Korean: 재한유엔기념공원) , constructed in 1951 houses the graves of thirty-six New Zealand soldiers.