40 Division formation sign- Korea

[badjez]

I'm a little confused, and cannot find a clear answer from the internet.

Whilst formation signs for 40 Division and 1 Commonwealth Division are fairly common, and date from a similar period, I am having trouble identifying the role 40 Division actually undertook in the Far East. Some sources say the Division fought in Korea, other's state that only two British Independent Brigades were in Korea prior to the formation of 1 Commonwealth Division.

Can anyone please add/amend the info below, to provide clarity on who served where, when, and what FS they wore?

Thanks, Stephen.

40 Division.
06.49. Formed in Hong Kong.
26 Gurkha Bde
27 Infantry Bde
28 Infantry Bde (post-10.49.)
Whilst the Division itself did not serve in Korea component parts did, namely 27 Infantry Bde.
04.52. Division disbanded.

1 Commonwealth Division
20.04.51. Formed as HQ First Commonwealth Division.
Location- Burgoyne Barracks, Shorncliffe, Folkestone.
27.04.51. WOM 20/MISC/2935(AG1(A)): Authority to form on Est II/571/1 w.e.f.20.04.51. Units under command:
27 Commonwealth Brigade
29 Independent Infantry Brigade Group
15.07.51. Division became operationally effective. Units under command:
25 Canadian Infantry Brigade
27 Commonwealth Brigade
29 Independent Infantry Brigade Group
Divisional Troops from Britain, Canada, New Zealand and India.
00.00.0?. Relocated to Korea.
07.09.54. Signal 86050/SD2(a): Confirmation of intent to rundown 1 Commonwealth Div to one Infantry Brigade with effect from 31.12.54.
15.04.56. Redesignated Commonwealth Contingent Korea.
00.07.57. Final UK unit withdrawn from Korea. Contingent HQ believed disbanded.

[fairlie63]

Stephen,

from my notes re - vehicle markings for the division:

1 COMWEL Div - A temporary div HQ was established at Kure, Japan, on 11 Jun 51, the div was formed in Korea on 28 Jul 51 when 25 CDN Inf Bde Gp, 29 Indep Inf Bde Gp and 28 COMWEL Bde came under comd.

28 BRITCOM Inf Bde absorbed elements of 27 COMWEL Inf Bde on 25 Apr 51 and joined 1 COMWEL Div on 28 Jul 51.

Taken from the war diaries of the div online at www.awm.gov.au AWM373: WO281/

Cheers, Keith