Adam McKenzie, 97, one of only two surviving Korean War veterans in Scotland, has returned to the national Korean War memorial he helped create on the 73rd anniversary of the end of the conflict.
Return to the Memorial
McKenzie, from Livingston, who has been supported by Sight Scotland Veterans since losing his sight, was joined by fellow veterans, dignitaries and supporters at the Scottish Korean War Memorial to mark the anniversary.
During the service, he delivered Binyon's words during the Call to Remembrance and recited the Kohima Epitaph before laying a wreath on behalf of Scottish Korean War veterans in honour of those who lost their lives in the conflict.
Creating the Memorial
McKenzie served for 34 years in the Army, including 26 years overseas, and has spent nearly 50 years working to ensure the sacrifices of those who lost their lives in the Korean War are never forgotten. He was instrumental in bringing the project to life after discovering there was no dedicated Korean War memorial anywhere in the United Kingdom.
He said: “I was honoured to join the 73rd anniversary commemorations, remembering the end of the conflict. Attending the memorial meant a great deal to me, providing an important opportunity to reflect, remember, and pay tribute.”
“We decided we wanted a memorial because there was no memorial solely to Korean Veterans anywhere in the United Kingdom. The only other place you’ll find the names of UK-based Korean War Veterans is The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, where they’re spread all over the wall alongside others from other wars.”
“So, I went to Birmingham where we had a General Meeting and I pitched the idea - and got laughed out the hall. They said I’d never get it off the ground, so myself and some others decided to go it alone.”
“We acquired the three-acre site from West Lothian Council for a nominal sum of one penny. In reality, it was a donation, but in Scotland a land transaction has to involve a financial exchange. I still have the paperwork at home.”
“To raise money for the memorial, we stood outside supermarkets across the area collecting donations. We believed we had raised enough funds and secured a contractor to build the memorial we had envisioned. However, two weeks later, they came back and told us they couldn’t deliver that design within the budget. They built a smaller version instead, but it wasn’t what we had originally planned.”
“About six months later, we received a letter informing us that the site would have to close because it wasn’t fully accessible for wheelchair users and people with disabilities.”
“To address this, we secured a further £8,000 in grants to install wider gates and a tarmac path from the car park to the memorial.”
“We then sought further funding from West Lothian Council and, once that support was secured, we demolished the original memorial and rebuilt it to the design we had always wanted. It now stands as you see it today, and I’m very proud of what we achieved.”
Memorial Features and Support
Today, the memorial stands as a lasting tribute to those who served in the Korean War. It features an arboretum of Korean firs grown from seeds sent over by the South Korean Veterans Affairs Department, which were initially nurtured at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh before being transferred to Shotts Prison and later planted at the memorial site.
The memorial also incorporates two mounds shaped to reflect the Yin and Yang symbol on the South Korean flag. Between them stands a traditional Korean-style shrine bearing the names of those who lost their lives, creating a poignant and enduring place of remembrance.
McKenzie first learned about Sight Scotland Veterans through a former colleague who had also served in the Army and had experienced sight loss. After meeting again at a veterans’ event, McKenzie mentioned that he too was beginning to lose his sight and was encouraged to get in touch with the charity to see how they could help.
He added: “Sight Scotland Veterans does so much to support veterans like me across Scotland, and I can’t thank them enough. The Linburn Centre provides an invaluable service, helping visually impaired veterans get out of the house, combat isolation, build confidence, and connect with others who share similar experiences.”
“It gives veterans the opportunity to form friendships, build camaraderie, and show that life is still there to be enjoyed despite living with sight loss.”
“I’ve been attending the Linburn Centre for two years now, and I thoroughly enjoy it. I take part in exercise sessions in the morning and then join a range of activities in the afternoon. During that time, I suffered a stroke and lost much of my mobility, which meant I had to take some time away. However, I’ve been working hard to regain my strength and independence.”
“Sight Scotland Veterans has been a tremendous source of support. The staff, services and community have helped me enormously, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything they do. It’s a fantastic charity, and I simply can’t thank them enough.”
Alongside McKenzie, Linburn Centre Activity Worker Lorna Donaldson and Centre Officer Lynda Sunderland represented Sight Scotland Veterans at the ceremony, laying a wreath on behalf of the charity to honour the courage, service and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the Korean War.
