Sergeant Bill Speakman, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry in the Korean War, has been buried in South Korea

A British war hero who was awarded the Victoria Cross has been granted his dying wish to be buried alongside his fallen comrades in South Korea.

Sergeant Bill Speakman was interred in the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea last month after dying last year at the age of 90.

Sgt Speakman, known as 'Big Bill' because of his towering 6ft 6ins frame, was awarded Britain's highest honour for gallantry while fighting Chinese troops during the Korean War in 1951.

During the Battle of Maryang-san, in modern-day North Korea, Sgt Speakman filled his pockets with grenades and charged solo at waves of Chinese attackers.

His actions inspired six of his fellow soldiers to join in the attacks, which continued despite him being shot in the shoulder and leg, causing heavy casualties and breaking up the enemy attacks.

When the soldiers ran out of ammunition they hurled rocks, mess tins and empty beer bottles at the enemy.

While the British position was eventually overrun, Sgt Speakman's attacks slowed the enemy down enough that his company could withdraw safely.

Sgt Speakman, known as Big Bill for his 6ft 6ins height, fought against Chinese troops at the Battle of Maryang-san in 1951, charging lines of attackers alone with pocketfuls of grenades

South Korean soldiers and politicians attended the burial at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Korea, after Sgt Speakman said he wanted to be interred alongside his comrades

In a moving ceremony attended by the Chelsea Pensioner's family and the British Ambassador to South Korea, he was laid to rest next to the 885 British soldiers who died in the conflict.

Daughter Susie Speakman attended the service alongside two of Sgt Speakman's sons, Colin and Caspar, and his granddaughter Tuesdae.

British Ambassador Simon Smith was also in attendance, and described it as an 'immense honour'.

He said: 'I first heard about the extraordinary courage of William Speakman VC when I was a nine-year-old student at primary school.

'More than 50 years later, it was an immense honour to meet Sergeant Speakman's family and salute the return of his ashes to Korea in accordance with his wishes.

'The service of William Speakman and 81,000 of his fellow British service personal, of whom 1,105 made the ultimate sacrifice, forged a bond between the Republic of Korea and the United Kingdom which has endured to this day.'

British Ambassador to South Korea Simon Smith lays a wreath during the ceremony, which was also attended by Sgt Speakman's daughter Susie and two of his sons, Colin and Caspar

Sgt Speakman was the first person to be awarded the VC by Queen Elizabeth II at the age of just 24, and volunteered to go back to fight in Korea afterwards

Sgt Speakman served in B Company of the 1st Battalion of the King's Own Scottish Borderers having volunteered to fight in the Korean War.

Born in Altrincham, he had joined the Army in 1945, serving with the Black Watch in Germany, Italy and Hong Kong.

He won the Victoria Cross aged just 24 having been flown back to the UK to recover from his wounds, but volunteered to rejoin the conflict in 1952.

Later in his military career he served in Yemen, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

His citation for the award says he displayed 'great gallantry and utter contempt for his own personal safety' during the battle.

'Under the stress and strain of this battle, Speakman's outstanding powers of leadership were revealed and he so dominated the situation, that he inspired his comrades to stand firm and fight the enemy to a standstill.

'His great gallantry and utter contempt for his own personal safety were an inspiration to all his comrades.

A Republic of Korea Army honour guard holds a portrait of Bill Speakman as a member of his family buries the remains of the Victoria Cross Hero

After the Korean War had ended, Sgt Speakman continued to serve the Army and was stationed in Yemen, Germany and Saudi Arabia

'Speakman's heroism under intense fire throughout the operation and when painfully wounded was beyond praise and is deserving of supreme recognition.'

Sgt Speakman also had the honour of becoming the first British soldier to be awarded a Victoria Cross by Queen Elizabeth II.

Due to financial hardship he sold the decoration in the 1960s and used the money to re-roof his house.

He later acquired a genuine replacement which is displayed in the National War Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh Castle.

He was married and divorced three times and ended up as a Chelsea Pensioner in the Royal Hospital Chelsea for retired veterans.

He expressed his wish to have his ashes interred on Korean soil during visits to South Korea in 2010 and 2015 because he 'admired the country and was proud of what he had fought for.'

The ceremony was arranged by the Korean Government and attended by its Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Pi Woo-jin.

President Moon Jae-in had earlier instructed the ministry to pay 'extraordinary attention' to the interring of the Korean War hero.