A Collection of Medals to Casualties from the Battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (22201662 Cpl. J. O’Kane. R.E.) minor edge bruise, contact marks, very fine £180-£220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Casualties from the Battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951.

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J. O’Kane, a native of Belfast, served in Korea with 55th Field Squadron, Royal Engineers, the unit attached to provide support to the Glosters, Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Ulster Rifles of 29th (British) Infantry Brigade. Arriving in Korea in late 1950, 55th Field Squadron saw extensive service, including at the epic defence of the Battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951.

By the final day of the battle, the Glosters, Northumberland Fusiliers and Royal Ulster Rifles had been in continuous action nearly the entire time since the night of 22-23 April and were cut off from Brigade headquarters. An attempt would be made by the Centurion tanks of ‘C’ Squadron, 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars to break through to the battalions, and there being no infantry reserves available, Brigadier Thomas Brodie commanding 29th (British) Infantry Brigade, ordered 55th Field Squadron into the desperate defence as infantry, carried in to battle on the Centurion tanks of the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars.

Total casualties for 55th Field Squadron at the Battle of Imjin River were 6 all ranks killed in action; 3 taken Prisoner of War (one of whom died in captivity); and thirteen wounded in action, including O’Kane, who was evacuated to 26th Field Ambulance with shrapnel wounds to the back on 25 April 1951.