Canon Bob attends final Korean War service in Belfast
VETERAN SERVED AS CHAPLIN DURING CONFLICT
KOREAN WAR veteran and Newcastle resident Canon Robert Jennings recently took part in the last remembrance service for Korean War Association (Ireland) in Belfast.
Robert, or Bob as he is better known, served as chaplin during the war and received much attention after the service on Sunday, April 23, for the brass cross he carries to most services he is invited to. The cross was made by Korean craftsmen from the brass shells fired during the war, which lasted from 1950 to 1953.
During the conflict, Bob placed the cross on the bonnet of his Landrover when he held his services for soldiers from Britain, America and beyond. In all, 13 countries sent soldiers to what was known as the ‘Forgotten War’.
As this year marked the 67th anniversary of the war and there are only a handful of veterans still alive, the association has decided to parade its flag for the last time. It now goes to the Korean War Museum in Belfast, which holds a large amount of artefacts from the war.
Bob is now a member of Post 21 Irish United Nations Veterans Association and will have the cross with him at the group’s inaugural remembrance and wreath-laying service, this Saturday, May 27, at 3 p.m. at the Peace and Remembrance Memorial beside Wicklow Gaol.
The ceremony, which marks International Peacekeepers Day on Monday, May 29, is in memory of Defence Forces, An Garda Siochana and civilian personnel who died on UN duty throughout the world.
Members of the public are welcome, especially any relatives of those being remembered. Serving or ex-soldiers who have served with the UN are invited to wear their medals and blue beret, if they have them.