Marking Korean War Service

For over a decade, RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District has been working hard to pay tribute to local Korean War veterans, placing individual plaques at the Korean War Memorial in Alexandra Headlands. 

RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District President Grendell Skip Antony, Steven Bailey, Korean Veteran Viv Humphrys and Kawana RSL Sub Branch President Jeff Pidgeon

RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District President Grendell (Skip) Antony says it is a privilege to be one of the caretakers of the memorial and to work with local families and community groups to implement plaques for veterans who have served and now passed on. 

“The plaques acknowledge the veteran’s service details, any specific roles or duties they had and how long they spent in Korea,” Skip says. 

“It not only allows their legacy and memory to live on in the community but gives relatives a place to come and remember them.

“The Memorial is in a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean and it’s a popular place that people walk past to enjoy the view. We often see individuals who are walking by pause when services are being held throughout the year to pay their respects. 

Beginning of something special  

In 2011, the Korean War Memorial was gifted to the State by the Republic of Korea and the Korean community. The monument includes around 50 dedication plaques to Korean war veterans as well as a number of plaques representing the various forces that fought in the war.   

Skip says it was in 2012 when the Korean War Veterans’ Association Sunshine Coast approached the District with the idea to add more plaques to the memorial and the team happily jumped on board to support. 

“The Korean War Veterans’ Association sent out letters to family members letting them know to contact us if they would like a plaque created for their loved one,” Skip explains. 

“From there, we collect the veteran’s background from interested relatives, work with engravers to design the plaque, and then hand over the finished product to Sunshine Coast Council so they can add it to the memorial.  

“The final step is us organising an unveiling date, where our local padre will bless the plaque, and we invite the family members to attend. Typically, we try to coincide the blessing with a day that holds meaning to the family or on Korean Veterans’ Day.”

Since 2019, RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District has helped with the creation and dedication of eight plaques.  

Despite the ageing population of Korean War veterans in the area and the Korean War Veterans’ Association Sunshine Coast no longer operating, the RSL District, Alex Headland Community Association and the Sunshine Coast Council continue to keep the initiative going and the memorial maintained. 

A Recent Unveiling 

This past Korean Veterans’ Day on 27 July, the eighth plaque was unveiled by the District – honouring William Albert Bailey. William was a Private in the Army 2RAR serving in Korea from 1951 to 1953.  

“William’s son Steven attended the unveiling, and it was great to see his chuffed reaction of the plaque,” Skip says.  

“I also gave a speech discussing how the Korean War is sometimes referred to as the ‘forgotten war’, but the campaign was significant for the country involving Army, Navy and Air Force. 

“This initiative and the memorial are important reminders for us to remember all veterans, no matter what battle or conflict they were involved in. All Australian service personnel have given us the freedoms we have today.” 

Preserving the memory

RSL Sunshine Coast and Regional District plans to continue creating plaques to honour those who served in Korea. 

“We want to make sure the monument continues to be in top condition not only for the 75th anniversary coming up in 2028, but for decades to come.”