KOREAN War veteran Geoffrey Pike, from Hemyock, has been acknowledged for his role in the conflict more than six decades after it ended.

Mr Pike, 89, of Castle Park, has received an Ambassador for Peace medal inscribed ‘Korean War Veteran: You Will Always Be Our Hero’.

Mr Pike served as a radar operator aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Unicorn – one of five British aircraft carriers employed during the Korean War (1950-53).

He had joined the Navy in November 1946 as an able seaman at the age of 18 and served seven years.

Mr Pike said: “We sailed from Devonport to Glasgow to pick up 90 aircraft and went to Singapore. We expected to go home but on the eve of war we were told to go to Korea. We picked up the Middlesex Regiment in Hong Kong and delivered them as the first British troops to Korea.”

He spent the conflict aboard HMS Unicorn often moving troops and aircraft between Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, and patrolling the west coast of Korea.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea had invited veterans to apply for Ambassador for Peace medal and Hemyock man Tim Courtenay, a former Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Marines, had made Mr Pike aware of the invitation. In a note Mr Courtenay wrote to Mr Pike: “At last some recognition for all that was done in the Korean War.”

The medal citation

Ambassador for Peace – Official Proclamation – Mr Geoffrey Frank Pike.

“It is a great honour and pleasure to express the everlasting gratitude of the Republic of Korea and our people for the service you and your countrymen have performed in restoring our freedom and democracy.

“We cherish in our hearts the memory of your boundless sacrifices in helping us re-establish our free nation.

“In grateful recognition of your dedicated contributions it is our privilege to proclaim you an Ambassador for Peace with every good wish of the people of the Republic of Korea. Let each of us reaffirm our mutual respect and friendship that they may endure for generations to come.”

Minister – Patriots and Veterans Affairs – Republic of Korea.