Image right: Studio portrait of 2/400237 Private Kenneth Turton Matchett, c.1950, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), of Homebush, NSW. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
This Friday, 24 April 2026 marks Kapyong Day, the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War.
Private Kenneth Turton Matchett (2/400237) was the youngest son of Herbert and Rosaline Matchett of Sydney. The family moved often but was living in Homebush when Kenneth was born in January 1925. Three of Kenneth’s older brothers served in the AIF during World War II.
After World War II, Kenneth served in Japan with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF) as a gunner (NX174063) with the ‘A’ Field Battery. On 1 January 1949 he embarked on Duntroon for home and was discharged during February 1949. He lived in Gymea Bay and worked as a labourer[1] before he re-enlisted for service in Korea.
The Third Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) was stationed in Japan when North Korean troops invaded South Korea across the 38th Parallel on 25 June 1950. The battalion was trained and brought up to its full strength of 960 troops by September. 3RAR landed at Pusan in South Korea on 28 September as part of the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade and remained in Korea for the entire war.
Divided after World War II into north and south, Korea had been under Japanese rule for 35 years. Communist North Korea was backed by China and the Soviet Union, while South Korea was administered by United Nations forces led by the USA. Australia and 15 other countries contributed forces to the United Nations Command.
Members of 4 Platoon, B Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), gathered around a campfire at their camp or bivouac on the side of a snow-covered hill, February 1951. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
After numerous smaller engagements and withdrawals to the south, 3RAR moved north in a counter offensive during January 1951. By 22 April, 3RAR was stationed north of the village of Kapyong on Hill 504, about 60 kilometres north-east of Seoul. Canadian and New Zealander units were positioned nearby, along with an American tank company. South Korean forces were located further forward to hold off the advancing Chinese troops. However the South Korean forces were forced to retreat, along with civilian refugees. Chinese troops advanced towards the UN force defending the valley who were seriously outnumbered.
An elevated view of the Kapyong Valley and surrounding hills where 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR) were in position during the Battle of Kapyong, 16 April 1951. Courtesy Australian War Memorial
The Battle of Kapyong took place on 23-24 April 1951. Australian troops were attacked just after midnight on the morning of 24 April when two Chinese battalions attacked B and C Companies of 3RAR. Kenneth Matchett was with 4 Platoon of B Company. C and D Companies were targeted by Chinese probes while another Chinese battalion attacked 3RAR’s Battalion Headquarters and forced it to withdraw. B Company was ordered to pull back and, at dawn, the New Zealand artillery was able to fire on Chinese forces attacking C and D companies. Threatened by another Chinese regiment and at risk of being encircled, 3RAR was withdrawn.
‘Elements of the battalion had often found themselves behind enemy lines and subjected to wave after wave of Chinese attacks.’ [2]
The battle had continued in closely fought waves until the Chinese finally abandoned their assault on Kapyong.
32 Australian soldiers were killed at the Battle of Kapyong, most from 3RAR. Kenneth Matchett was one of them, killed in action. Another 59 soldiers were wounded with three taken prisoner. However, the operation was successful in halting the Chinese advance towards Seoul. The Australian, American and Canadian units involved were later awarded a United States Presidential Citation for their ‘heroic and courageous’ behaviour.
Lieutenant Leonard Montgomerie MC (centre, front row) and No.4 Platoon, B Company, 3RAR which distinguished itself at the Battle of Kapyong, 26 April 1951. Sadly Kenneth Matchett did not survive the battle. Courtesy Australian War Memorial.
The war itself continued for more than two years until a ceasefire was reached on 27 July 1953 with a four kilometre-wide demilitarised zone declared. Australia’s wartime casualties totalled 339 killed and 1216 wounded with 44 Australian servicemen still listed as missing in action.[3]
After Kapyong, 3RAR’s main duty was in patrolling the no-man’s land along the 38th Parallel between October 1951 and the July 1953 ceasefire. These activities included reconnaissance and trench raids, often in extreme weather conditions, with the ongoing threat of enemy fire. After the armistice, 3RAR maintained border patrols, the battalion returning to Australia during November 1954. [4]
The final Australian peace monitoring force in Korea was withdrawn in 1957.
Kenneth Matchett was originally buried at Tanggok Cemetery but was later laid to rest in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea.
In 2011 Strathfield Council entered into a Sister City partnership with the modern town of Gapeyong (formerly Kapyong) in Korea.
On 24 April 2026 the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Kapyong was commemorated at Ismay Reserve, Homebush, attended by Strathfield councillors and dignitaries including Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles.
Dignitaries at the 75th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Kapyong at Ismay Reserve, Homebush, 24 April 2026. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies.
Lest We Forget.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] Australian electoral rolls, Werriwa, Sutherland, 1949