NIAGARA FALLS, ON - On Thursday, June 16, 2022, a monument to commemorate Canada’s participation in the Korean War will be installed at Fairview Cemetery in Niagara Falls.
Representatives of the Battle of Gapyeong Monument of Canada Committee, Korean Veterans Association of Canada and Niagara Korean Association, alongside City of Niagara Falls staff, have been working since September 2021 to select the ideal site and arrange for the monument to be created and installed.
The memorial consists of a large granite monument donated by the Mayor of Gapyeong County and shipped from Korea, three bronze plaques, and three, nine-metre flag poles. It will become a historical symbol, acknowledging that the Korean and Canadian forces fought united in the battles of the Korean War. At the same time, it will also become a monument of peace for generations to come, contributing towards the good relationship between Korea and Canada.
Members of the public are invited to the unveiling and blessing of the Battle of Gapyeong Victory, Korean War Memorial:
- Location: Fairview Cemetery 4501 Stanley Ave, Niagara Falls. The monument is located adjacent to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the RCL Branch 51 Cenotaph
- Time: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m
About the Battle of Gapyeong
Over 27,791 Canadians fought during the Korean War (1950-1953), and an additional 7,000 fought in the US Peace Keeping Missions in Korea. Of those soldiers: 516 were killed, 1,588 were wounded, and an additional 21 soldiers were missing during the fighting which took place on land and at sea.
The Battle of Gapyeong was fought between the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade and the 118th Division of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army in Gapyeong Valley over three days and two nights, from April 23, 1951 to April 25, 1951. The 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), withstood heavy attacks in the Gapyeong River Valley by forces of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, which had more than five times the number of troops, who were attempting to push forward and capture Seoul. At that time, Seoul, the capital of the Republic of Korea, would have been in danger if it had not been able to stop the Chinese offensive in the Battle of Gapyeong.
Isolated from other units of the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade and, at one point, surrounded by the enemy, the “Patricia’s” gave up not one foot of ground; they halted the huge enemy offensive and saved the capital of the Republic of Korea.
In the battle, more than ten Canadian soldiers were killed and, another twenty-three were wounded. The victory in the battle stopped the Chinese advance south and allowed the friendly forces to secure time to build a new defense line along the Bukhangang River. For their gallant action, the Princess Patricia’s 2nd Battalion, which was in the chain of command of American Army Corps, was awarded the United States Presidential Unit Citation.
For more information, contact:
Mark Richardson
Manager of Cemeteries Services
Municipal Works
City of Niagara Falls
[email protected]
