British Commonwealth Forces
in Korea Commonwealth troops serving in Korea
included British, Canadian, Australian, New
Zealander, and South African contingents.
The first British units to
arrive at Pusan on 28 August 1950 were the
1st Battalion The Middlesex Regiment and 1st
Battalion The Argyll and Sutherland
Highlanders under the 27th British Infantry
Brigade. They were soon joined by the 3d
Battalion Royal Australian Regiment from
Japan where it was conducting occupation
duty. They initially served under the US 24th
Infantry Division. It was redesignated the
27th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade in October
when Australian and Canadian units were
assigned, which served under the US 1st
Cavalry Division and helped meet the initial
onslaught when China entered the war in
November.
The 29th British Infantry
Brigade Group arrived in September 1950,
followed by the 28th Commonwealth Brigade
Group in April 1951, which replaced the 27th,
and then the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade
Group. In July these units were organized
into the 1st Commonwealth Division.
The Division, while under
US/UN operational control, was administered
by Commander-in-Chief, Commonwealth Forces
headquartered in Japan. At the war*s end
14,200 Commonwealth troops were serving in
Korea. A total of 26,791 Canadians and 17,164
Australian troops served in Korea. The last
British troops departed Korea in July
1957.
27th British Infantry Brigade
(Aug 50-Oct 50, redesignated below)
27th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade (Oct
50-Apr 51, HQ replaced by below)
28th Commonwealth Infantry Brigade (Apr
51)
29th British Infantry Brigade Group (Sep
50)
1st Commonwealth Division (July 50)
Casualties:
1078 KIA
2692
WIA
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