School library dedicated to veteran of Korean War

A school library is being dedicated to a British veteran of the Battle of Imjin River.

Roy Mills, from Cinderford, was the last surviving member of the Glorious Glosters - a name given to the Gloucestershire Regiment who fought at Hill 235, now known as Gloster Hill, in South Korea.

Forest View Primary School in Mr Mills' hometown will name its library after him, after his death in October 2024.

The 6.25 Foundation, an American charity that honours the legacies of Korean War veterans, is donating £4,000 to the school's library.

Staff at the school were initially surprised at being offered a donation to the library.

"We received an email back in December from 6.25 Foundation and we initially thought it wasn't real," said head teacher Ben Lyons.

"But we did some research and ran our checks, and Mr and Mrs Koo from the foundation are joining us at the ceremony and making that kind and very generous donation.

"Roy Mills was from Cinderford, his daughter Sally was a teaching assistant here for many years, so it's great."

He added: "We've also been teaching particularly the older children more about Roy's story and the Korean War."

The Battle of the Imjin River, fought between 22 - 25 April 1951, was a pivotal moment in the Korean War.

During the battle, about 4,000 troops of the British 29th Brigade, including about 700 from 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment, faced thousands of men from the Chinese 63rd Army and many were captured, like Mr Mills, or killed.

As a result of Roy Mills' contribution, the library dedication ceremony will be attended by delegates from the South Korean Embassy, the Royal British Legion and members of the Koo family, who run the 6.25 Foundation.

Pupils from Forest View Primary School will also be in attendance.

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