Ref. 29452-88BERT Davey's brother, Tom, was killed in action more than 50 years ago in Korea, in a conflict often called the "forgotten" war.

Now an old comrade, who lives in Canada, has donated a commemorative medal to help Mr Davey remember his big brother.

Mr Davey, 66, who lives in Longleaze, Wootton Bassett, was 13 when his family received the telegram telling them Tom had been killed in Korea, aged 21.

Last year, Mr Davey, who is secretary of the Swindon branch of the British Korean Veterans Association, visited the website of the Canadian branch of the group.

After leaving a message, he was emailed by Les Peate, 75, an Englishman now living in Ontario, who is vice-president of the association.

It emerged that he was in the same platoon as Tom when their unit, the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, was despatched to Korea.

Tom was killed three weeks after arriving in the war zone in what was one of the fiercest battles of the conflict.

The National Serviceman was attempting to cross the Imjin River in June 1951 when his platoon came under heavy mortar fire.

The war started on June 25, 1950 when communist North Korea, led by Kim Il-sung invaded the Republic of Korea.

A United Nations task force of 22 countries was deployed to halt the advance, and fighting lasted until July 27, 1953, when an armistice was signed.

Some 1,078 British servicemen were killed in the ensuing conflict and about 2,700 were wounded.

Now as a special tribute to his pal, Mr Peate has handed his medal, and a copy, to Mr Davey to display at the Territorial Army Centre in Church Place, Swindon, where the association meets.

Mr Peate said: "Tom was a very popular member of the platoon everyone liked and respected him.

"I felt that as an old comrade, the least that I could do was to forward one of the medals to Swindon on Tom's behalf."

Framed and displaying the blazer badges of both the British and Canadian associations, one of the medals was officially unveiled yesterday.

"It's an extremely nice gesture," said Mr Davey. "It is Les's way of recognising an old buddy.

"A lot of our members are angry that people do not recognise this war."