William Speakman was educated at Oakfield Road Infants School and Wellington Road Secondary School in Timperley. At the age of 17 he entered the 1st Battalion, the Black Watch (The Royal Highlanders) and served in Germany and Treiste. When the British forces mobilised in 1950 to assist in the fight against communism in Korea, Private Speakman was attached to B Company, The King's Own Scottish Borderers. In 1951, he was fighting in the North-West of Yonchon, Korea when the Battalion came under intense fire, and decided on his own initiative to drive off the enemy. To this effect, he collected a large pile of grenades and a party of six men and led a series of grenade charges, continuing despite being injured, enabling his Company to effect its withdrawal. He spent some time in hospital and on returning home, was honoured with a reception in Altrincham Town Hall, before receiving the Victoria Cross on 27th February 1952.
