I KOSB RETURNS FROM KOREA 18 DEC 1952
Borderers,
On this day the men of the 1st Bn docked in Liverpool after spending 16 months in Korea and 3 months in Hong Kong, they were greeted by family and friends. They would be inspected by HRH Princess Alice who would welcome them home.
HRH THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTER’S SPEECH OF WELCOME TO
THE 1st BATTALION THE KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS
ON THEIR RETURN FROM KOREA 18TH DEC 1952
“COLONEL TADMAN AND ALL RANKS, THE FIRST BATTALION THE KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS.
MY FIRST DUTY IS TO TELL YOU I HAVE BEEN CHARGED BY THE QUEEN TO BID YOU ALL A VERY WARM WELCOME HOME FROM ACTIVE SERVICE IN KOREA.
I AM PROUD TO BRING YOU THIS MESSAGE FROM HER MAJESTY, AND AS YOUR COLONEL-IN-CHIEF, TO ADD MY WELCOME TO HERS.
I AM GLAD THAT I AM PERSONALLY ABLE TO GREET YOU ALL TODAY AND TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY FOLLOWED YOUR PROGRESS DURING THE 16 MONTHS YOU HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN ACTIVE OPERATIONS, AND HAVE NOTED WITH PRIDE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS.
YOU HAVE MOST WORTHILY UPHELD THE FINE TRADITIONS OF MY REGIMENT AND HAVE ADDED ANOTHER GLORIOUS PAGE TO ITS ALREADY GLORIOUS HISTORY. THOSE WHO WILL NOT RETURN WILL ALWAYS REMAIN IN OUR THOUGHTS.
I HOPE THAT THOSE OF YOU RETURNING TO CIVIL OCCUPATIONS, OR TO OTHER REGIMENTS, WILL TAKE WITH YOU PROUD AND HAPPY MEMORIES OF YOUR SERVICE IN THE KING’S OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOYAL AND SPLENDID SERVICE, AND I WISH YOU ALL MUCH HAPPINESS NOW THAT YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN TO BE RE-UNITED TO YOUR FAMILIES.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR”.