The Korean War

On June 25, 1950, troops from North Korea invaded the South, sparking a response from the United Nations, who asked for military aid from their members. Canada responded by forming the 2nd Battalion of the Princes Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry PPCLI), who would be sent to Korea as part of the Canadian Army Special Force. They would later be followed by the 25th Canadian Infantry Brigade which consisted of battalions of the PPCLI, the Royal 22nd Regiment and the Royal Canadian Regiment, squadrons of the Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians), regiments of the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and units of the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps.

26,000 Canadians would participate in the Korean War, as well as eight destroyers, and aircraft to provide transport, supply and logistics. For three years after the fighting ended with an armistice in 1953, Canadians remained as military observers.

Researched and written by John Milner.