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Key Roles

  • Korean War
  • UN Allies
  • United Kingdom
  • Key Roles
List for UN Allies

The United Kingdom dispatched the second largest number of troops to Korea. The participation of the United Kingdom was done before the UN forces were established. The British Army first sent the 27th Brigade which was activated with two battalions from Hongkong and other supporting units, and upon arrival in Korea the brigade was immediately committed to the battle of the Nakdong Bulge. Later on, the 27th Brigade took part in advancing northward to the Yalu River. And later the United Kingdom dispatched one more brigade, the 29th Brigade.

The 29th Brigade suffered a lot of casualties at the battle of Seolmari near the Imjin River when China launched the 5th phase of attack. Despite these sacrifices, the 29th Brigade made a great contribution to the operations of the 8th US Army. To be more specific, on April 22, 1951, when the defense line of the ROK 1st Division broke down, the Gloucester Battalion of 29th Brigade on the right of the ROK 1st Division suffered a lot of casualties. Despite these casualties, however, the 29th Brigade held the Seolmari area for three days, so that the brigade was able to save allied units on both sides of the area.

As more troops of the British Commonwealth came in on July 28, 1951,these units were organized into the 1st Commonwealth Division. This Division was made up of the units from 6 countries: United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Such a composition was quite unique in the worlds military history.

On June 29, 1950, the UK Navy sent one aircraft carrier, two cruisers, two destroyers, and three frigates, and helped the US naval operations on the East Sea. Later, an estimated total of about 17,000 Navy soldiers of the UK participated in the Korean War, and 50 British warships took turns to carryout naval operations until the end of the war.

Participation History

Unit, Participation Period, Note
Unit Participation Period Note
1st division of British Commonwealth from Jul. 1953 established at DeokJung
27th division Aug. 1950 to Apr. 1951 renamed as the 28th brigade
28th brigade Apr. 1951 to Mar. 1953  
29th brigade from Nov. 1950  
1st battalion of Middlesex brigade Aug. 1950 to May 1951 assigned to the 27th brigade
1st battalion of argyll and sutherland higlanders brigade Aug. 1950 to Apr. 1951 assigned to the 27th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Northumberland fusiliers brigade from Nov. 1950 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Gloucester brigade from Nov. 1950 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Ulster Fifles brigade from Nov. 1950 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of King’s own Scottish borderers brigade from Apr. 1951 assigned to the 28th brigade
1st battalion of King’s Shropshire Light infantry brigade   May 1951 to Sept. 1952 assigned to the 28th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Norfolk brigade Oct. 1951 to Nov. 1952 assigned to the 28th brigade
1st battalion of Leicestershire brigade Oct. 1951 to Jun. 1952 assigned to the 28th brigade
1st battalion of Welch brigade Nov. 1951 to Nov. 1952 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Black Watch brigade Jun. 1952 to Jul. 1953 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Fusiliers brigade Aug. 1952 to Aug. 1953  
1st battalion of Duham light infantry brigade Sept. 1952 to Sept. 1953 assigned to the 28th brigade
1st battalion of King’s Liverpool brigade Sept. 1952 to Oct. 1953 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Duke of Welington brigade Oct. 1952 to Nov. 1953 assigned to the 29th brigade
1st battalion of Royal Scots brigade from Jul. 1953  
1st battalion of Essex brigade from Aug. 1953  
1st battalion of Royal Warwickshire brigade from Sept. 1953  
1st battalion of King’s own royal brigade from Oct. 1953  
1st battalion of Northstaffordshire brigade from Nov. 1953  

Casualty Statistics

Total, KIA, WIA, MIA, POW
Total KIA WIA MIA POW
4,908 1,078 2,674 179 977