Medal is handed to sister of Korean War victim

THE sister of a soldier killed in the Korean War has been presented with the Elizabeth Cross 65 years after his death in recognition of his bravery.

Trooper Peter McFadyen, a tank driver in the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, was 22 when he was killed in action during tank warfare on September 4, 1952.

He had just 10 weeks left to complete of his two-year National Service.

HissisterElizabethStark and relatives, including his niece and great-nephew, were presented with the Elizabeth Cross and memorial scroll during a ceremony at the City Chambers, Edinburgh, yesterday.

The award was created in 2009 to provide national recognition for the families of Armed Forces personnel who died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism.

Mr McFadyen’s family said: “Peter, who died in Korea aged 22, is, and will always be, missed.

“This medal and scroll will be passed down through the family, who will always have a reminder of the sacrifice Peter and his comrades made.”

Mr McFadyen was raised in west Edinburgh at Stenhouse Place and worked as a grate builder in the city.

After completing his tank training, he was posted to the 1st Royal Tank Regiment as part of the British Army of the Rhine.

In 1951 he returned to the UK and was transferred to the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, who were deployed on operations to Korea in October that year.

Earlier this week the family of Glasgow-born Private John Lindop Beattie, who was killed during a bomb blast in Cyprus 60 years ago, was presented with the Elizabeth Cross in his honour.