A missing soldier from Semington has been identified 74 years after his death during the Korean War and has been honoured by relatives in the village.
Corporal William Adair died two months before his 32nd birthday in 1950 while withdrawing with the 1st Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles during the Battle of Chaegunghyon. He was one of four British soldiers buried in an unmarked grave at the United Nations cemetery in Busan, South Korea. Following a six-year investigation by the Ministry of Defence, the soldiers have now been identified after 74 years.
A ceremony was held at the United Nations cemetery in Busan on 12th November to rededicate the soldiers’ graves in the presence of their surviving relatives. Representing William at the ceremony was his great-great nephew, Cameron Adair, from Scunthorpe, who had only recently learned of his family connection when the Ministry of Defence made contact.
Cameron and his father, Sean, then travelled to Semington last month, where they met with local resident Kenneth Clark, William’s brother-in-law. They visited the village’s war memorial, where William’s name is inscribed.
Cameron said, “William is family; he’s got my surname. He died with no family, and I wouldn’t want him to be finally laid to rest without family present. The least I could do was pay my respects to a family member who had fallen in the fight for freedom of another country and culture. In my eyes, it’s incredibly important for myself and my family name.”
William was married to local woman Marjorie; they lived in Semington, and they did not have children. Marjorie worked in the gas mask-making department at Avon Rubber and died in 1993 not knowing what had happened to her husband.
“I never knew William, but Kenneth did,” explained Cameron. “He’s got memories of speaking to him and knows what he was like as a person. I don’t have those luxuries, so gaining a little insight from Ken is amazing. Apparently, William was an incredibly kind and honourable man, and it’s nice to hear firsthand from someone who actually experienced the kindness and warmth in his heart. To know that 80 years ago he was still kind and generous makes me feel like I am carrying that history forward.”
Pictured: Bill Steele – British Korean War Veterans Association; Sean Adair, great-nephew of Cpl Adair; Cameron Adair, the great-great-nephew of Cpl Adair; Ray Heard – from Semington and Ken Clark, brother-in-law of Cpl Adair.
