Photo By Maj. Belinda Culley | Squadron Leader André Budel is the grandson of Korean War Veteran Captain Douglas...... read more read more
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea— For a trio of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) members deployed for the annual Freedom Shield 26 exercise, the mission to uphold peace on the Korean Peninsula is deeply personal. Each of them is following in the footsteps of ancestors who served during the Korean War, creating a powerful link across generations of service.
New Zealand (NZ) was one of the first countries to answer the United Nations (UN) call to support the defence of Korea. NZ frigates were able to sail quickly in July 1950 and the NZ Army units, known as Kayforce, were specifically raised and trained for deployment from a public call for volunteers.
One of the young kiwis who answered the “call to arms” to help defend South Korea was Cyril Instone. He left his carpentry apprenticeship in Invercargill and six months later arrived on the first NZ troopship The Ormonde at Busan on New Years Eve 1950. By the time he was fighting in battles like the Commonwealth Brigade battle of Kapyong (Gapyeong) in April 1951, Sergeant Cyril served in 163 Battery, 16th Field Regiment (16Fd Regt), Royal New Zealand Artillery.
16Fd Regt provided direct fire support to the 27th British Commonwealth Brigade and later the 1st Commonwealth Division with its 25 pounder artillery guns. During the war, the regiment fired 75,000 rounds the most of any commonwealth artillery regiment.
"Standing here today, you feel the weight and importance of what our forebears did," said Colonel Jones during a visit to the War Memorial of Korea.
"My uncle served on this land, and to be here now, working alongside our Korean allies for the same purpose, peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula, is an incredible honor.”
After his service in Korea, Sgt Instone returned to Southland and married Hazel Jones and together they raised a family of four children (Suzanne, David, Joan and Robyn). Cyril had a successful clothing business in the rural Southland town of Wyndham and lived well into retirement dying in 2005 at the age of 75.
Colonel Donald Jones, Squadron Leader Andre Budel, and Lieutenant David Oh are currently in the Republic of Korea as part of a multinational contingent augmenting the United Nations Command (UNC) Headquarters. Their participation highlights New Zealand's enduring commitment to the Korean War Armistice, a commitment made tangible by their own family histories.
The legacy continues with Squadron Leader Andre Budel, the grandson of a Korean War veteran, and Lieutenant David Oh, whose great-grandfather also served. Their presence turns a strategic military exercise into a multi-generational story of partnership.
The NZDF members are part of the multinational team participating in Freedom Shield 26 from March 9-19. The defensive exercise is designed to strengthen the combined readiness of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and UNC Member States.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2026 04:36 |
| Story ID: | 560594 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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