A FORMER soldier from East Yorkshire has been praised for his courage almost 60 years after serving in the Korean War.

Denis Husband, from Pocklington, fought alongside UN troops to prevent Chinese and North Korean forces invading South Korea.

He has now received a letter from the president of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak, thanking him for his bravery and inviting him back to the country.

“It was nice to be recognised after all this time, but it wasn’t really bravery. We did what we did because we wanted to come home,” said Denis, 77.

“We went and did something and that was it. Then you get this after all this time, and you’re aware that you made a difference. I feel very proud.”

Denis started his National Service in 1951, joining the East Yorkshire Regiment at 18.

After transferring to the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, Denis was sent to South Korea and fought in the Battle of The Hook in 1953.

The “Dukes” held their position as artillery shells fell and hundreds of Chinese troops stormed The Hook. The all-night battle saw the regiment lose 20 men, with 86 wounded. About 250 Chinese were killed and 800 wounded.

“The day after, the officers offered me stripes,” said Denis.

“I said: ‘I couldn’t have them yesterday, so I don’t want them today’. I wasn’t thinking about promotion, I just wanted to get back alive.”

Denis remained a private, and was transferred to the West Yorkshire Regiment for the remainder of his National Service.

Although proud of his service, Denis said it was doubtful he would return to South Korea.

He said: “I would like to go back, but there’s only one place I’d like to visit, and that’s the military cemetery. We lost a lot out there, and they didn’t fly them back.”