About the product

Korea Pair Glosters Imjin POW

Korean War Medal, UN Korea Medal, 21127179 Private Donald Roy Marks, One of the “Glorious Gloucesters” who was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Imjin.

Out of stock

SKU: J7146 Category:
Origin: United Kingdom
Nearly Extremely Fine

Description

Korean War Medal, UN Korea Medal, 21127179 Private Donald Roy Marks, Gloucestershire Regiment.

 

One of the “Glorious Gloucesters” who was taken as a prisoner of war at the Battle of Imjin.

 

Korea Medal officially impressed: “21127179 Pte D. R. Marks. Glosters.”
UN Korea unnamed as issued, both medals swing mounted for wear, the Korea being mounted backwards to show the design, so left as worn.

 

Donald Roy Marks was a local born in Bristol, Gloucestershire during 1928.

 

During the battle he was with a Lorry crew towing an ammunition trailer in the battle area, when he along with a huge number of the Glosters were swept up and taken as Prisoners by the Chinese.

 

He would spend the next 2 years and 5 months as a PoW, it took over a year for them to even confirm to his family that he was still alive after being declared as missing during the Battle.

 

A newspaper article upon his release, Daily Mirror, London, 10th August 1953:

 

“MISSING SON IS SET FREE

 

1 of the Glorious Gloucester's, who had been reported missing after the Imjin River Battle, was among 21 more British Prisoners of War, released by the Reds in Korea yesterday.

 

Private Donald Roy Marks, who was listed as missing after serving as one of a lorry crew towing an ammunition trailer in the battle area, had been a prisoner for 2 years and 5 months.

 

Mrs R. Marks received a War Office telegram yeseterday that her son was safe and on the way home.

 

At her home in Feltongrove, Bedminster Down, Bristol, Mrs Marks said:

 

‘Its so wonderful, I can’t settle down to cook the lunch.’

 

‘It was nearly a year after his capture before we had any news. Then I dreamt my boy was in hospital, asking for an injection, but the following day we had a greetings card from saying he was well.

 

THREE BROTHERS

 

2 of Donald’s Brothers, Colin, 20 and Peter, 18, are in the REME, and a 3rd Brother, Gerald, has also served in REME…..”

 

With copies of the newspaper article, copy of his “Inventory of Soldier’s Effects” Form B104-126, when he was believed to be dead sent to his mother, and a copy of the ticket to get into the Berth 107 Southampton Docks for the arrival of H.T. Asturias on 16th September 1953 when Donald was finally brought home.

 

He went on to live a long live in Gloucestershire, and later died there during 2000.