Search for digger’s remains yields remnants of war

Despite a month-long excavation, a joint recovery operation has been unable to locate the remains of Australian Army Corporal William Murphy, who died at the Battle of Kapyong during the Korean War.

CAPTION: A joint excavation by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification, operating in partnership with the Unrecovered War Casualties – Army. Story by Squadron Leader Bel Culley. Photo by Corporal Luke Kern Choi.

In a poignant display of enduring mateship and international commitment, a joint recovery team began the excavation on April 24, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the historic Battle of Kapyong.

The excavation was co-led by South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification, operating in partnership with members of Unrecovered War Casualties – Army (UWC-A).

The dig concentrated on the rugged, steep terrain of the Kapyong defensive position of 7 Platoon Charlie Company, where Australian troops famously held the line against overwhelming odds in 1951.

CAPTION: An excavation team discovers Australian-manufactured .303 fired cases, stripper clips and two-inch mortar canister lids. Photo: Squadron Leader Bel Culley

In a symbolic gesture, six members of 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), which was Corporal Murphy’s unit, remained after the official 75th-anniversary commemorative ceremonies to assist with the excavation.

Australian Army Regional Manager Pacific – Asia for UWC-A Major Craig Foreman said the task was an emotional and historic one.

“This operation represents an unbroken promise to our fallen,” Major Foreman said.

“To have modern-day 3RAR soldiers physically searching through the same soil their forebears fiercely defended 75 years ago is a profoundly moving experience.”

Although the excavation yielded no human remains, the team discovered Australian-manufactured .303 fired cases, stripper clips and two-inch mortar canister lids, alongside disabled Japanese Type 92 heavy machine gun parts, which were used by Chinese and North Korean Forces. 

CAPTION: The excavation site to recover the remains of Korean War casualty Corporal William Murphy, of the Australian Army. Photo: Corporal Luke Kern Choi

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