The Imjin Pistol

This .38 Webley revolver was used in the Korean War at the Battle of Imjin River in April 1951.

The pistol was found on the last position held by the Glosters before they were overrun by the Chinese on 25th April 1951. It was discovered buried under a clump of earth by Lance Corporal David Macdonald who was serving with the Royal Canadian Military Police. He retained it as a souvenir of this pivotal action.

It is believed that the pistol was the personal weapon of Lt Henry Cabral, the Battalion Intelligence Officer, who was later tortured by his captors in Prisoner of War Camp and later died.

Just before the position was overrun, Lt Cabral, Pte. Tony Eagles and others were instructed by the Adjutant, Captain Farrar Hockley, to create a diversion to give the impression to the advancing enemy that the position was better manned that it actually was. They achieved this by firing all the weapons they could. As many as possible of these weapons were later destroyed to prevent them falling into enemy hands. You will note that this pistol has a hammer broken and has sustained superficial damage to the stock.

The pistol was donated by Mr David Macdonald of Saanichton BC, Canada.