Canadian Embassy publishes Kapyong Battle photo book

Dignitaries cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony of the "Kapyong 70: A Tribute to the Canadian Veterans of the Korean War" photo exhibition at the War Memorial of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday. From left are Captain Jill Marrack of Canadian Defense Attache; Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-chul; Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danagher; War Memorial of Korea President Lee Sang-chul; and Vice Admiral Stuart Campbell Mayer, Deputy Commander of United Nations Command in Korea. Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs

Son of veteran remembers war stories

By Kwon Mee-yoo

The Battle of Kapyong is considered to be one of the most significant during the Korean War. A British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, including the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI), fought against the Chinese army in Gapyeong Valley in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province from April 23 to 25, 1951, and prevented the Chinese from advancing into Seoul.

The United Nations troops were considerably outnumbered by the Red Army onslaught, but fought hard to stop the Chinese force's intention to capture Seoul, turning the tide of the war decisively.

On the 70th anniversary of the battle, the Embassy of Canada in Korea has published a photo book called, "Kapyong 70: A Tribute to the Canadian Veterans of the Korean War," and has been holding an exhibition to honor the sacrifice and courage of these Canadian veterans.

The cover of "Kapyong 70: A Tribute to the Canadian Veterans of the Korean War" / Courtesy of Canadian Embassy to Korea

"Speaking for the Canadian troops at Gapyeong, they did not have an official photographer with them in those terrible days on Hill 677. So the photos in this book have been collected from different sources in Canada, Korea and the United Kingdom," Canadian Ambassador to Korea Michael Danagher said Wednesday during a book launch ceremony at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, where the exhibition is held.

"The magic of photography is its ability to capture images that, however distant in time and place, retain their emotional power and immediacy. They remind us never to forget."

Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs Hwang Ki-chul appreciated the publication of the book and its significance.

"'Kapyong 70' will be a meaningful record where readers will remember the sacrifice and contributions of the veterans and remind us of the value of peace," Hwang said.

Danagher expressed gratitude for the Korean authorities who invited foreign Korean War veterans to visit the battlegrounds to remind them of how their sacrifices contributed to the modern, prosperous and democratic Korea today.

"With the pandemic, that opportunity has not been available to us. While we regret the absence of these honored visitors, we meet today to recall their valor and their sacrifice. ... We are joined today by Gregory Matthew Chrysler. He is one of the 30,000 Canadians who now call Korea home and he is himself the son of a Korean War veteran," Danagher said.

Lance Corporal William J. Chrysler, right, helps Private Morris J. Piche, both of the PPCLI, to an aid station behind the front lines in the Gapyeong Valley during the Korean War. Courtesy of Imperial War Museum London

Gregory Matthew Chrysler's father, William J. Chrysler, is featured in a famous Korean War photo, helping his injured colleague Morris J. Piche during the Battle of Kapyong.

"Many people tell my dad that it's too bad you didn't look up at the camera. My dad replies that he did and as soon as he saw the camera, he was sure to put his head back down. He was afraid that somehow if his mother saw it, she'd be worried to death because he never actually told her he was going out to war," the junior Chrysler said.

“The other reason was that he had already gotten in trouble a couple of times for wearing things he shouldn't have been wearing. If you look closely at his hat and gloves for example, you will see they're not exactly standard issue.”

William J. Chrysler visits Korea often through the veterans program as well as to spend some family time, though he couldn't come this year.

"He always looks forward to coming to Korea, of course to see me, his daughter-in-law and grandson, just as much to see how much Korea has changed. Every time he arrives, he can't stop talking about how tall the buildings are and how everything is so modern and organized. This is because when he sees Korea today, he can't help but vividly recall the poorly constructed huts and the cold mud where children played when he first set foot here in 1951. My father is a proud soldier,” Chrysler said.

The senior Chrysler has another special tie with Korea. He came back to the country as an engineer in the 1970s and participated in various infrastructure projects, including a nuclear power plant in Busan, and trained young Koreans.

"More importantly, he met my mother, Kyoung-ja Chrysler, who also happened to be working at the company, overseeing the construction projects. Eventually they settled back in Canada where I was born. And to continue this unique, long-lasting connection my father had with Korea, as you can see, his son has chosen Korea to settle down with his family," Chrysler said.

"As a young man, he came to a war-stricken country and invested his life for the idea he believed in and now it has become a safe home for the next generation of Chryslers."

Chrysler said he is glad that the awareness of the hard-fought U.N. forces during the Korean War, including the Canadian veterans, is increasing.

"When I was young, there was no recognition of the Korean War in Canada, so this is very meaningful for the Canadian veterans, because now they have this sense of their sacrifices being recognized. Events like this are very meaningful to him and other veterans," Chrysler said.

Gregory Matthew Chrysler holds a photo of his father William J. Chrysler during the Korean War at the book launch ceremony for "Kapyong 70: A Tribute to the Canadian Veterans of the Korean War" published by the Embassy of Canada in Korea, at the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, Wednesday. His son, William Chrysler, named after his grandfather, stands next to him. Courtesy of Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs