Sergeant William (Bill) Speakman VC died at The Royal Hospital Chelsea 20 June 2018 at about 7 pm. Born 21 Sept 1927
Bill Speakman, the first soldier to be awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) by Queen Elizabeth II, has died aged 90.
V.C. Citation reads.
On 4 November 1951 in Korea, when the section holding the left shoulder of the company's position had been seriously depleted by casualties and was being overrun by the enemy, Speakman, on his own initiative, collected six men and a pile of grenades and led a series of charges. He broke up several enemy attacks, causing heavy casualties and in spite of being wounded in the leg continued to lead charge after charge. He kept the enemy at bay long enough to enable his company to withdraw safely
Sgt Speakman, who was from Altrincham in Greater Manchester, was 24 years old when he was given the award for outstanding bravery during the Korean War.
He fought off a sustained attack from Chinese forces for more than four hours, at various points fighting hand-to-hand to save fellow soldiers.
Served in the Black Watch, King's Own Scottish Borderers attached to Special Air Service
Campaigns - fought in Korean War, Malayan Emergency, Indonesian Confrontation, Aden Emergency
Rest in Peace Bill, you served your country well.
You will never be forgotten
