I am honoured to be here today, at this time and place, to remember the contribution of both Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women, and of other United Nations forces during the Korean War. 
 
This site marks one of the most famed battles of the war.
 
Standing here, at Kapyong, most of us can only guess what it must have been like for the men of the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, which included the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment.
 
On the night of the 23 April 1951, waiting in the dark, for the sounds of the enemy approaching.
 
Every noise, every sign of movement, anything that may signal an enemy attack. 
 
The Battle of Kapyong, to this day, remains a shining example of the courage and determination of the United Nations forces who fought here.
 
It was an important moment in the war, when a major Chinese offensive sought to advance on Seoul.  
 
Standing against them were some two-thousand Commonwealth and other United Nations troops.
 
Men from Australia, Canada, Britain, the United States and New Zealand.
 
After breaking through the forward positions held by the South Korean Army, Chinese forces assaulted the United Nations defensive positions including those held by Australians, in the hills overlooking the Kapyong River.
 
3RAR carried the brunt of the Chinese attacks on that first night as wave after wave of Chinese troops attacked the Australian positions.
 
But they drew on all their strength and held on through the night, and the following day, until they could safely withdraw.
 
The odds were stacked against them, but in the true spirit of the Anzacs, they stuck together, endured hardship;
 
They believed in themselves, and in doing so they likely changed the course of the war. 
 
By the 25th of April, the enemy offensive had ground to a halt and the United Nations forces had achieved an astounding victory, against all the odds.
 
Reg Saunders, previously involved in WWII and one of the heroes of the campaign in Crete and in the famous routing of German forces at 42nd Street.
 
He was also the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioned officer and in Korea was the commanding officer of C Company, 3RAR.. He said this.
 
“As D Company evacuated their positions, Chinese troops were right behind them and many a Chinaman had a dead heat or a photo finish with a 25-pounder Kiwi shell.
 
“Sometimes the Chinaman won and sometimes only came second. 
 
“After darkness had fallen, the Chinese did not move as quickly as the Australians and a clean break from pursuit was finally achieved."
 
I am honoured to have two Australian soldiers who fought at Kapyong here with me today.
 
Stan Connelly was wounded in the Battle and went on to serve in the Battle of Maryang San.
 
Ray Deed escaped the Battle unscathed and went on to serve two tours of Vietnam.
 
For their gallantry, their bravery, 3RAR were awarded United States Presidential Unit Citation, the highest American honour which can be awarded to a combat unit.
 
It was not until they had reached the relative safety of their new company location that Captain Reg Saunders described his emotions:
 
"At last I felt like an Anzac and I imagine there were 600 others like me."
 
Thirty-two Australians were killed during the Battle of Kapyong, with fifty-nine wounded and three taken prisoner of war. 
 
Many others lost their lives in this battle: 
 
Our gallant comrades in arms from Canada in particular, paid a high price.
 
Today we honour the sacrifice they all have made, and acknowledge the suffering of the loved ones they left behind. 
 
This memorial stands as a reminder of their courage and the price they paid in the fight to bring peace to the people of South Korea.
 
It is a place for everyone to pause and remember the United Nations soldiers who played an invaluable role in the Korean War, especially those who never made it home. 
 
The Korean people have never forgotten the Australians that helped to defend their soil 60 years ago.
 
We can be sure that memorials dedicated to the memory of Australian, New Zealander and other United Nations servicemen and women alike, who fell in the defence of Korea, are in safe and appreciative hands. Memorials like this one we gather at today.
 
We remember them today. We will always remember them.
 
Lest we forget.