The 70th anniversary of the Imjin Battle in Korea, in which the hugely outnumbered soldiers of the 'Glorious Glosters' held off the Chinese army, is to be marked later this month with a newly commissioned musical work called 'Holding the Hill'.

Surviving veterans of the battle are expected to be among the audience when the work by Gloucestershire composer Liz Lane is world premiered by the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra at 2.30pm on 23rd October at St Paul's Church, Parkend, Glos.

"After a year off, the Royal Forest of Dean Orchestra is back with a bang as they prepare for this special Battle of Imjin 70th anniversary concert featuring a world premiere," said a spokesperson.

"This exciting project, sponsored by the Foresters' Forest Heritage Fund, will see Liz Lane's work celebrating the extraordinary bravery of local regiment The Glosters, whose troops fought with the UN in Korea in 1951.

"There are still a handful of survivors living in the Forest, whose families have been invited to the anniversary event.

"Other war veterans will also attend to celebrate the Royal British Legion's centenary under the leadership of county president Anny Reid."

Liz, who is composer-in-residence with Lydbrook Silver Band and whose music has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3, BBC1 and ITV, said: "I was delighted to be asked to write a new orchestral piece to commemorate this important anniversary.

"I am currently undertaking a lot of research and hope that my music will help the forgotten battle, as it is often known, to become more widely known and justly remembered."

Recently-appointed conductor Fiona Crawley, who runs the Forest Flute Choir, said she was thrilled with the orchestra's return to playing and staging this special concert after a challenging year.

"As we approach our own 30th anniversary," she said, "it seems particularly relevant to be involved in the 70th anniversary commemoration of the Battle of Imjin River with its extraordinary resonance for our county.

"The orchestra will present a programme of military-inspired music alongside the soaring, contemplative beauty of Ralph Vaughan Williams' much loved The Lark Ascending where our soloist will be the fabulous Forest-based Marie Roberts-Watkins.

"The final piece will be a tremendously exciting collaboration with composer Liz. It's also extremely exciting to be able to conduct a world premiere in my own village of Parkend.

"I know that Liz has already done a huge amount of preparation for this and I can't wait to see and hear her ideas."

Tickets for the concert are £10 and are available at https://www.rfdo.org.uk  - or go to https://rfdo_imjin_river.eventbrite.co.uk