They were dubbed the “glorious Glosters” for their heroic last stand in 1951 during the Korean War.

More than 60 years later, 100 Commonwealth veterans, spouses, widows and other family members came to South Korea to commemorate and honor their brothers fallen at the Battle of Imjin River, and for the unveiling of a multimillion-dollar monument honoring them in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on Wednesday, the anniversary of the battle.

A towering beret, which is set against the backdrop of photographs of all the men the Gloucestershire Regiment, who fought in that battle, was unveiled in the ceremony that also saw the attendance of Gloucester Mayor Chris Chatterton. Paju is close to the border with North Korea and the battle in which the Glosters fought was near the city.

British Ambassador Scott Wightman accompanied the men, many of whom are now in their 80s, and conducted a ceremonial inspection of the guard.

The memorial is designed as a tribute to the events of 1951 when, for almost four days, fewer than 800 Gloster soldiers held off an army of 6,000 Chinese at the Battle of Imjingang River, slowing their advance toward the capital of Seoul.

The Korean War ended with an uneasy armistice. No peace treaty was ever made, and North and South Korea remain technically at war.

Many U.S. and Korean army bases are set up throughout Paju and areas nearby.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)