CLUB
Lord Glitters (L, grey horse) wins The Queen Anne Stakes
on day one of Royal Ascot (Photo: Ascot Racecourse)
Why Imjin?
Taking the rains
Outing to Royal Ascot is highlight
of social season
The Officers’ Mess car park has surely
never seen such an array of eye-
catching headwear.
Brightly coloured feathers, fascinators
and wide-brimmed hats jostled for
position – as 68 members of the
AIC prepared to join The Queen
and thousands of racegoers on the
opening day of Royal Ascot.
For some it was a new experience,
for others it was the second or third
time, so we listened to the veterans
and tried to glean the best tips and
tricks for a successful adventure while
en route to the famous Berkshire
racecourse.
With picnic hampers in hand, we aced
the security lines, teetered in our
heels across soft lawns and settled
ourselves at a multitude of tables
with a great view of the racecourse.
England’s unpredictable weather
sure showed its hand this day and we
spread out our picnics while juggling
umbrellas through the stop-start
drizzle.
Then, the rain hit with a vengeance
and it was an afternoon of flying
hooves, whizzing colours, rain-soaked
hair, some wins, some losses and
chatty, Prosecco-filled moments.
Before we knew it, the day was over.
Many of us were soaked to the bone
and it was time for the drive home.
I think I can speak for everyone
when I say it was a wonderful day, an
extraordinary British experience and
an opportunity to make new friends
from different countries. Definitely a
worthwhile day of fun had by all.
P.S. A huge ‘thank you’ to Elisabetta
Verardi, without whose help we would
not have managed to organise this so
successfully.
Danielle Hilton
At the end of the Second Wold War,
Korea was split, along the 38th Parallel,
into North Korea under Soviet influence,
and South Korea under American
influence. On 25 June 1950, the
Communist North Koreans, supported by
the Chinese army, invaded its southern
neighbour without warning, but the
United Nations called upon its members
to defend the South.
SYMBOL
In April 1951, the British 29th Infantry
Brigade, including the Gloucestershire
Regiment, was holding a wide defensive
position behind the Imjin River, where
the attackers could advance to Seoul.
After several Chinese attacks, the ‘The
Glosters’ retreated to Hill 235, where,
although short of ammunition and water,
they heroically defended enemy attacks.
Today the name ‘Imjin’ serves as a
warning to those who wish to attack
our freedom and human rights, and that
there will always be heroes who will say:
“This is not going on!”
Elena Cracea
CHARITY UPDATE
Martine Pyle
I discovered the answer on my first
visit to the ‘Soldiers of Gloucestershire’
Museum – where I learned about the role
played by the Gloucestershire Regiment
during the Korean War (1950-1953).
As a recognition of their bravery, the
South Korean government re-named
Hill 235 as ‘Gloster Hill’, and as a symbol
of remembrance our barracks here in
Gloucester was also called ‘Imjin’.
And then as if by divine providence,
the drizzle stopped just long enough
for the Royal Procession, and we were
fortunate enough to be in the fleeting
presence of HRH The Queen, Dutch
King Willem-Alexander and Queen
Maxima, as well as the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge.
This year we’re delighted to support two:
Young Gloucestershire helps young
unemployed people find work, access
training and return to education, and
Allsorts supports children with additional
needs and their families.
In my bag of knowledge, Imjin was the
name of a Korean river, witness to many
Korean battles against the Japanese
and the Chinese. So, why is the barracks
(and this magazine) called Imjin?
On 25 April, the Glosters were
surrounded, yet although defeated their
resistance had given the UN forces the
opportunity to re-group and block the
advance of Chinese army to Seoul.
HOME TURF
Money raised at AIC events, such as the
international lunches and coffee mornings,
means we are in the fortunate position
of being able to make donations to local
charities.
For me, having a passion for Korean
culture and civilisation, it was a surprise
to find out that the barracks, where my
husband would work for 3 years, is called
‘Imjin’.
Pretty penny – AIC club members raise
cash for Cancer Research UK
This year, for the third time, the AIC proudly
took part in the Pretty Muddy Race in
Cheltenham.
The race is organised by Cancer Research UK,
and it was emotional to see a pink wave of
women from different nations united, joyful and
fierce in the battle against cancer.
It’s an unmissable opportunity to do the ‘dirty
job’, to give our support to the many people
who are fighting and their families who support
them in this tough challenge. Every step
counts because this is a competition where
everyone wins, except cancer.
Elisabetta Verardi
For more info visit raceforlife.org
20
AUTUMN 2019 the imjin
@HQARRC
Allied Rapid Reaction Corps