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Introduction This section details the George Cross medals awarded for conduct during the Korean War (1950-53). Like the awards for conduct whilst Japanese POWs, these awards are for conduct whilst Prisoners of War. Derek Godfrey Kinne Derek Godfrey Kinne was born on 11 January 1930. Fusilier Kinne was a soldier in 1st Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. His Brother, Raymond Kinne, was killed in Korea while serving with the Argyll's during 1950. Fusilier Kinne was captured by Chinese Communist Forces on 25 April 1951. From that time he had only two objectives: to escape and secondly to raise the morale of his fellow prisoners. Because he put these aims into practice (he escaped twice, and was then interrogated), he was kept in solitary confinement in at least 7 different places of imprisonment, under conditions of the most extreme degradation and increasing brutality. Every possible method, both physical and mental, was employed by his captors to break his spirit, a task which proved impossible. His powers of resistance and his determination to oppose and fight the enemy to the maximum were beyond praise and his example was an inspiration to all ranks who came into contact with him. His last period of solitary confinement was on 2 June 1953 when he was sentenced for defying Chinese orders and wearing a rosette in celebration of Coronation Day. He was released as part of a prisoner exchange on 10 August 1953. Fusilier Kinne's George Cross was published in the London Gazette on 13 April 1954. Horace William Madden Horace William Madden was born on 14 February 1924 at Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Private Madden was a soldier in 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. During World War Two, Madden had served in a Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy Platoon. After the war, he was a member of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. Private Madden was captured by Chinese Communists on 24 April 1951 near Kapyong. During the period of his captivity he resisted all enemy efforts to force him to collaboration, to such a degree that his name and example were widely known throughout the various groups of prisoners. In spite of repeated beatings and other forms of ill-treatment, Private Madden remained cheerful and undismayed. It must have been very clear to him that his unco-operative attitude would result in his death, but as he got progressively weaker he remained undaunted in his resistance. On 6 November 1951, Private Madden died of malnutrition and brutal ill-treatment. The award of the George Cross to Private Madden was published in the London Gazette on 30 December 1955. Terrance Edward Waters Terrance Edward Waters was born on 1 June 1929. Lieutenant Waters was a member of The West Yorkshire Regiment, attached 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. Lieutenant Waters was a young and relatively inexperienced officer who had only recently passed out from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. Lieutenant Waters was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Imjin River, Korea, towards the end of April 1951. On the journey to Pyongyang with the other captives he set a magnificent example of courage and fortitude in looking after the other wounded as best he could, despite the brutal treatment to which they were subjected by their Chinese captors. After a journey of immense hardship they arrived at an area west of Pyongyang known as "The Caves". Here they were imprisoned in a tunnel driven into the side of the hill through which a stream of water flowed continuously, flooding a great deal of the floor. The cavern was already packed with a great many South Korean and European POWs in rags, filthy and crawling with lice. A large number died daily from wounds, sickness or merely malnutrition. There was no medical attention. It was obvious that few, if any, of the POWs would survive in such conditions in view of their weakness and the complete lack of any attention to their wounds. A North Korean political offer visited the caves and tried to persuade the POWs to volunteer for a pro-communist peace camp, where they would 'learn the errors of their ways'. In return for volunteering, it was made clear that they would have better conditions and medical treatment. The POWs refused to leave the caves. However, Lieutenant Waters quickly realised that if they all remained then they would all die. He ordered his men to leave for the peace camp, and save themselves by pretending to go along with the North Korean officer's suggestion. Lieutenant Waters refused to cooperate and decided to remain in the cave, despite the North Koreans concerted efforts to make him change his mind and rejoin his men. A few days later, on 22 April 1951, Lieutenant Waters died. The award of Lieutenant Water's George Cross was published in the London Gazette on 13 April 1954.
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British Military & Criminal History in the period 1900 to 1999.

Home - UK Medals - Gallantry - George Cross - GC Holders - GCs awarded in Korea 1950-53

Introduction

This section details the George Cross medals awarded for conduct during the Korean War (1950-53). Like the awards for conduct whilst Japanese POWs, these awards are for conduct whilst Prisoners of War.

Derek Godfrey Kinne

Derek Godfrey Kinne was born on 11 January 1930. Fusilier Kinne was a soldier in 1st Battalion, The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. His Brother, Raymond Kinne, was killed in Korea while serving with the Argyll's during 1950.

Fusilier Kinne was captured by Chinese Communist Forces on 25 April 1951. From that time he had only two objectives: to escape and secondly to raise the morale of his fellow prisoners. Because he put these aims into practice (he escaped twice, and was then interrogated), he was kept in solitary confinement in at least 7 different places of imprisonment, under conditions of the most extreme degradation and increasing brutality. Every possible method, both physical and mental, was employed by his captors to break his spirit, a task which proved impossible. His powers of resistance and his determination to oppose and fight the enemy to the maximum were beyond praise and his example was an inspiration to all ranks who came into contact with him. His last period of solitary confinement was on 2 June 1953 when he was sentenced for defying Chinese orders and wearing a rosette in celebration of Coronation Day. He was released as part of a prisoner exchange on 10 August 1953.

Fusilier Kinne's George Cross was published in the London Gazette on 13 April 1954.

Horace William Madden

Horace William Madden was born on 14 February 1924 at Cronulla, Sydney, Australia. Private Madden was a soldier in 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. During World War Two, Madden had served in a Australian Motor Ambulance Convoy Platoon. After the war, he was a member of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan.

Private Madden was captured by Chinese Communists on 24 April 1951 near Kapyong. During the period of his captivity he resisted all enemy efforts to force him to collaboration, to such a degree that his name and example were widely known throughout the various groups of prisoners. In spite of repeated beatings and other forms of ill-treatment, Private Madden remained cheerful and undismayed. It must have been very clear to him that his unco-operative attitude would result in his death, but as he got progressively weaker he remained undaunted in his resistance.

On 6 November 1951, Private Madden died of malnutrition and brutal ill-treatment.

The award of the George Cross to Private Madden was published in the London Gazette on 30 December 1955.

Terrance Edward Waters

Terrance Edward Waters was born on 1 June 1929. Lieutenant Waters was a member of The West Yorkshire Regiment, attached 1st Battalion The Gloucestershire Regiment. Lieutenant Waters was a young and relatively inexperienced officer who had only recently passed out from the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

Lieutenant Waters was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of the Imjin River, Korea, towards the end of April 1951. On the journey to Pyongyang with the other captives he set a magnificent example of courage and fortitude in looking after the other wounded as best he could, despite the brutal treatment to which they were subjected by their Chinese captors.

After a journey of immense hardship they arrived at an area west of Pyongyang known as "The Caves". Here they were imprisoned in a tunnel driven into the side of the hill through which a stream of water flowed continuously, flooding a great deal of the floor. The cavern was already packed with a great many South Korean and European POWs in rags, filthy and crawling with lice. A large number died daily from wounds, sickness or merely malnutrition. There was no medical attention. It was obvious that few, if any, of the POWs would survive in such conditions in view of their weakness and the complete lack of any attention to their wounds.

A North Korean political offer visited the caves and tried to persuade the POWs to volunteer for a pro-communist peace camp, where they would 'learn the errors of their ways'. In return for volunteering, it was made clear that they would have better conditions and medical treatment. The POWs refused to leave the caves. However, Lieutenant Waters quickly realised that if they all remained then they would all die. He ordered his men to leave for the peace camp, and save themselves by pretending to go along with the North Korean officer's suggestion.

Lieutenant Waters refused to cooperate and decided to remain in the cave, despite the North Koreans concerted efforts to make him change his mind and rejoin his men. A few days later, on 22 April 1951, Lieutenant Waters died.

The award of Lieutenant Water's George Cross was published in the London Gazette on 13 April 1954.