First Soldier To Have Received Victoria Cross From Queen Elizabeth II Has Died

Sergeant Bill Speakman VC (Picture: Rory Lewis).

The first soldier to receive the Victoria Cross from Queen Elizabeth II has died, according to the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association.

In a statement, the Association confirmed the death of Sergeant Bill Speakman VC who was born on 21 September 1927:

"It is with great sadness that we pass on the news of the death of William “Bill” Speakman VC. He died peacefully yesterday (20th June) evening at the Royal Hospital Chelsea which he was proud to call his home. Members of his family were at his bedside."

Mr Speakman enlisted in the Black Watch in 1945 and served in Germany, Italy and Hong Kong before volunteering for Korea with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1951.

In that regiment, Mr Speakman was awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross (VC) in December 1951 after holding off waves of Chinese and North Korean attackers in fierce hand-to-hand combat during the Korean War.

In 2015, he donated his medal to the people of South Korea, saying: 

"Because it originated in South Korea, I thought it had to come back to South Korea. They [the people of the country] can have my medals so future generations can look and see what it was all about."

Despite being wounded in his VC action, he volunteered and returned to Korea in 1952.

He later served with the Malayan Scouts in 1955 until leaving the Army in 1968. 

In 2004, Mr Speakman was given the Freedom of Altrincham - his hometown.

He was also named President of the Altrincham and Bowden Civic Society.

Mr Speakman was married three times and had three sons and four daughters and seven grandchildren.

The Victoria Cross and George Cross Association said Mr Speakman loved outdoor life and in his younger years, also enjoyed painting and photography.

In 2015, Mr Speakman moved to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and became a Chelsea Pensioner.

The Association said he was "much loved and respected by all staff and fellow Chelsea Pensioners and also by all his fellow members of the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association."