British Victoria Cross Recipient. He was educated at Wellington Boys' School in Timperley, Cheshire and joined the army in 1945. On November 4, 1951, he was a private in the King's Own Scottish Borderers and serving in Korea, when his section was over-run by Chinese and North Korean soldiers. His section was depleted by casualties so he collected six men and a number of grenades and led a series of charges. He broke up several enemy attacks, causing heavy casualties and despite receiving a shrapnel wound in his leg, continued to lead charge after charge. He kept the enemy at bay long enough to enable his company to withdraw safely. Although the award was made by King George VI, he was the first man to receive the Victoria Cross from Queen Elizabeth II. He returned home to Altrincham in 1952 and was given a hero's homecoming. He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served in Malaya and Borneo. He served in the military until 1970. At the time of his death, he was the only living Victoria Cross recipient from the Korean War.
British Victoria Cross Recipient. He was educated at Wellington Boys' School in Timperley, Cheshire and joined the army in 1945. On November 4, 1951, he was a private in the King's Own Scottish Borderers and serving in Korea, when his section was over-run by Chinese and North Korean soldiers. His section was depleted by casualties so he collected six men and a number of grenades and led a series of charges. He broke up several enemy attacks, causing heavy casualties and despite receiving a shrapnel wound in his leg, continued to lead charge after charge. He kept the enemy at bay long enough to enable his company to withdraw safely. Although the award was made by King George VI, he was the first man to receive the Victoria Cross from Queen Elizabeth II. He returned home to Altrincham in 1952 and was given a hero's homecoming. He later achieved the rank of sergeant and served in Malaya and Borneo. He served in the military until 1970. At the time of his death, he was the only living Victoria Cross recipient from the Korean War.
Bio by: Mr. Badger Hawkeye
Inscription
WILLIAM SPEAKMAN VC
U.K.
Private with the
Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regt) and
The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Served in Korea between
04/07/1951 and 12/08/1952
Born 21/09/1927
Died 20/06/2018
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